The Murder of Kirov In your tables/teams you have 3 minutes to draft a democratic constitution…GO!

Read through the constitution Highlight any parts that would increase Stalin’s power Create a key: ‘Ways this helped increase Stalin’s power’ The Murder of Kirov

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Ex: What questions do you have? The Murder of Kirov

In 1934, A young Communist called Sergei Kirov delivered a speech to the party stating that better relations should be forged with the peasants after brutal policies of collectivisation (to be studied later). Kirov was echoing the views of many in the party – and he received more applause even than Stalin. It was rumoured that Stalin should be removed as leader, and Kirov seemed to be emerging as a popular alternative. The Murder of Kirov

At 4:00pm on the afternoon of 1 st December 1934 however, Kirov was murdered outside his office at party headquarters in Leningrad, shot by Leonid Nikolayev in the back. Nikolayev was arrested by guards at the scene of the assassination. He had been expelled from the Communist party and had a hatred of Party leadership – physically a weak individual but also prone to fits. CASE CLOSED? The Murder of Kirov

Gave Stalin an excuse to follow personal ambition and purge the party. The Stalinist leadership used Kirov’s murder as a pretext and justification for the Great Purges, which took place over the next four years. The murder was seen as evidence of a widespread conspiracy against the Soviet State and its leaders. There were enemies everywhere and they needed to be rooted out.

….. Is more important than….. Because… The Purges

Yagoda: Head of the NKVD- Murdered. Replaced by Nikolai Yezhov.

Russia and the Rivalry for Power 1924

Social impactPolitical ImpactEconomic impact

The initial focus was on the Leningrad party but extended to every section of the Party, every part of the country and every group of the population e.g. In Georgia 80,000 were executed. Every social class affected but skilled workers and Intelligentsia e.g. managers, scientists, Historians and writers affected most. Families and friends of those arrested were targeted e.g. Radek’s family were executed. Social bonds of friendship broke down in climate of fear. In the workplace Communist party officials and factory managers lied about production Levels to avoid arrest. Purges within Gosplan removed economists making accurate economic planning difficult. Purge led to a shortage of professional expertise e.g. statisticians and managers leading to an economic slowdown in By 1939 Stalin had achieved unrivalled dominance due to terror. All leading political opponents removed (Finally Stalin by 1940). Older communists, remaining members of Lenin’s government, people who supported Trotsky In the 20’s and opposed Stalin in the 30’s removed. The party was totally obedient to any of Stalin’s demands and could not restrain him. The army was weakened so it posed no challenge to Stalin and the NKVD remained loyal

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The Purges YESNO Stabilised communist party – no extremes – united views Increased Russian industry – Gulags The chances of a rebellion were suppressed United Russia internally owing to purges of ethnic groups United Russia against external threats – Germany (Lebensraum) Government appeared secure and protective, so people trusted in the government Gulags – made more of Russia inhabitable People lived in fear of the NKVD Intellectuals (engineers) purged – stunted Russian economy Russia was militarily weak – especially against Hitler – Nazi- soviet pact Stalin was surrounded by ‘yes men’ – Stalin’s never going to be challenged Distrust within communities owing to informers Diversity of Russia suffers - ‘Russification’

3 paragraphs Source Your own knowledge Conclusion The Murder of Kirov