Explain Why Trotsky and Bukharin were defeated

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Edward Slater                History        

Explain Why Trotsky and Bukharin were defeated

By Stalin in the struggle to succeed Lenin as leader of USSR

Both Trotsky and Bukharin were defeated to the leadership of the USSR because of the brutal tactics used by Stalin to succeed Lenin. When we look at how Stalin became leader and the way in which Trotsky and Bukharin were beaten could perhaps be as a result of Stalin’s character and personality, or perhaps weaknesses in, or wrong moves by his opponents, Trotsky and Bukharin.

As General Secretary from 1922 and a member of the Orgburo and Secretariat, Stalin had enormous power over the policies and personnel of the party. Even though he held these positions whilst in the power of Lenin, his rivals underestimated and did not realise the importance or upper hand held by Stalin.

With the ban on factions in 1921, Stalin, who could already control votes at party congresses as well as holding valuable positions within the party, had an enormous weapon and advantage in the struggle to succeed Lenin.

Stalin began to dominate, and really put himself about at Lenin’s funeral. He dealt two very significant blows using Lenin’s funeral that began Trotsky’s descent in the leadership race. When Lenin died on 21 January 1924, Trotsky was convalescing in Georgia. Stalin told Trotsky the news of Lenin’s death, and when Trotsky replied that he wanted to attend the funeral Stalin replied answering “You won’t be here in time. The Politburo thinks that in your state of health, you should go to Sukhumi.” This was in fact a lie by Stalin with the funeral taking place one day later than Stalin had said. This meant that Trotsky was unnecessarily absent from the funeral. This severely damaged Trotsky’s reputation as well as his political prestige.

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With the public attending Lenin’s funeral and with Trotsky absent, Stalin provided a speech to the public. “There is nothing higher than the calling of the member of a party whose founder is Comrade Lenin…Leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to hold high and keep pure the great title of member of the party. We vow to thee Comrade Lenin, that we shall honourably fulfil this commandment…Leaving us, Comrade Lenin enjoined us to keep the unity of the Party like the apple of our eye. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin. That we will honourably fulfil this, thy commandment…” ...

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