The Death of Lenin

1. The Death of Lenin

2. The Future of Communism
• It is crucial to evaluate
the final years of
Lenin’s life from 1922
to 1924 as true
priorities are often
revealed in the throes
of a person life.
• The crucial issue in
Lenin’s mind was the
future leadership and
direction of
communism.
• It is crucial to evaluate
the final years of
Lenin’s life from 1922
to 1924 as true
priorities are often
revealed in the throes
of a person life.
• The crucial issue in
Lenin’s mind was the
future leadership and
direction of
communism.

3. The Future of Communism
• Tenth party conference in March
1921 Lenin had called for unity,
however, he now enforced
compliance – the purge within the
leadership had begun!
• Process was known as ‘eliminating
the radishes’
• Cheka were given unquestioned
authority now and by end 1922 – a
quarter of party members were
expelled.
• The party would now only be
governed by stern, disciplined,
devoted and organised
bureaucrats.
• Political shift allowed the likes of
Stalin to become entrenched in the
functioning of the party, especially
after he became General
Secretary in April 1922.
• Tenth party conference in March
1921 Lenin had called for unity,
however, he now enforced
compliance – the purge within the
leadership had begun!
• Process was known as ‘eliminating
the radishes’
• Cheka were given unquestioned
authority now and by end 1922 – a
quarter of party members were
expelled.
• The party would now only be
governed by stern, disciplined,
devoted and organised
bureaucrats.
• Political shift allowed the likes of
Stalin to become entrenched in the
functioning of the party, especially
after he became General
Secretary in April 1922.

4. The Future of Communism
Dec 1922 dictated his Political Will – not openly published –
summarised Lenin’s reflections of key leaders of the party and
recommendations with regards to their appropriateness to succeed
him.
Dec 1922 dictated his Political Will – not openly published –
summarised Lenin’s reflections of key leaders of the party and
recommendations with regards to their appropriateness to succeed
him.
What did Lenin consider to be the biggest danger for the future of
the communist part?
Summarise Lenin’s comments about each Central Committee
member listed below.
What did Lenin consider to be the biggest danger for the future of
the communist part?
Summarise Lenin’s comments about each Central Committee
member listed below.

5. Political Aftermath of 1921
1922: Formation of the USSR
After Feb 1917, six provinces in former
Russian Empire chose to become
independent Soviet Republics – all six
signed the Treaty of Union in 1922 which
joined them as the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. The Government now
based itself out of Moscow and the USSR
remained until 1991
1923: Bureaucratic Nature of the Party
The once competent, combative and
cultivated elite were replaced with ‘Yes-
men’. The likes of Alexandra Kollantai
were removed.
1924: Secret Police
Cheka abolished in 1922 – replaced by
the GPU (State Political Organisation).
Felix Dzerzhinsky remained in charge
1922: Formation of the USSR
After Feb 1917, six provinces in former
Russian Empire chose to become
independent Soviet Republics – all six
signed the Treaty of Union in 1922 which
joined them as the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. The Government now
based itself out of Moscow and the USSR
remained until 1991
1923: Bureaucratic Nature of the Party
The once competent, combative and
cultivated elite were replaced with ‘Yes-
men’. The likes of Alexandra Kollantai
were removed.
1924: Secret Police
Cheka abolished in 1922 – replaced by
the GPU (State Political Organisation).
Felix Dzerzhinsky remained in charge

6. The Nature of Lenin’s
Illness
• Lenin suffered two
strokes in 1922. A third
stroke in 1923 rendered
him parlayed and
unable to speak.
• He was then rarely seen
as confined to a
wheelchair and was in a
frail condition.
• However, his brain
remained active and
became an avid writer.
• Politiburo members like
Stalin and Kamenev
visited him regularly, but
Trotsky rarely visited.
• Lenin suffered two
strokes in 1922. A third
stroke in 1923 rendered
him parlayed and
unable to speak.
• He was then rarely seen
as confined to a
wheelchair and was in a
frail condition.
• However, his brain
remained active and
became an avid writer.
• Politiburo members like
Stalin and Kamenev
visited him regularly, but
Trotsky rarely visited.

7. The Reasons for Lenin’s
Illness
There is great debate amongst
doctors and historians as to what
caused his illness.
Lead Poisoning Theory: Derived from
the bullets that has hit him in the 1918
assassination attempt. One bullet
remained lodged in the back of his
neck.
Removal of Bullet Theory: Despite his
good health after this assassination
attempt by 1921 he had continual
insomnia and headaches. April 1922
doctors removed the bullet lodged in
his neck and could have damaged
him in the process.
There is great debate amongst
doctors and historians as to what
caused his illness.
Lead Poisoning Theory: Derived from
the bullets that has hit him in the 1918
assassination attempt. One bullet
remained lodged in the back of his
neck.
Removal of Bullet Theory: Despite his
good health after this assassination
attempt by 1921 he had continual
insomnia and headaches. April 1922
doctors removed the bullet lodged in
his neck and could have damaged
him in the process.

8. Lenin’s Death
• Lenin Died in January 1924
aged 53.
• Thousands lined the streets
as his coffin was carried to
Red Square in Moscow.
• After he died he was
embalmed, and a
mausoleum was built to
house his body.
• Petrograd was renamed
Leningrad.
• Lenin Died in January 1924
aged 53.
• Thousands lined the streets
as his coffin was carried to
Red Square in Moscow.
• After he died he was
embalmed, and a
mausoleum was built to
house his body.
• Petrograd was renamed
Leningrad.
LENIN THE TYRANT OR LENIN THE SAINT?
Using the ‘Final Interpretations’ sheet draw a table and choose 4
statements for Lenin and 4 statements against him. Put these
statements in the left hand column and the find evidence to put in
the right hand column. Two statements have been done for you.
Review your notes to find supporting evidence.
LENIN THE TYRANT OR LENIN THE SAINT?
Using the ‘Final Interpretations’ sheet draw a table and choose 4
statements for Lenin and 4 statements against him. Put these
statements in the left hand column and the find evidence to put in
the right hand column. Two statements have been done for you.
Review your notes to find supporting evidence.