Lev Kamenev

Lev Borisovich Kamenev (Russian: ??? ????????? ??????? - his original family name was Rosenfeld, ??????????) (July 6 (old calendar) / July 18 (new calendar) 1883 - August 25, 1936) was a Bolshevik revolutionary and a prominent Soviet politician, an early member of the powerful Politburo.

Related Topics:
Russian - July 6 - July 18 - 1883 - August 25 - 1936 - Bolshevik - Soviet - Politburo

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He was born to a Jewish family in Moscow, Russia.

Related Topics:
Jewish - Moscow - Russia

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After Lenin's death in 1924, Kamenev formed an alliance with Stalin and Zinoviev, which became known as the troika. The troika was in opposition to Leon Trotsky, who at that time seemed to be Lenin's most likely successor. However, partially due to the troika's efforts, the 14th Party Congress of 1925 disfavoured Trotsky's idea of 'permanent revolution' and he was forced to resign as commissar for war.

Related Topics:
Stalin - Zinoviev - Troika - Leon Trotsky - Permanent revolution

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With Trotsky's influence reduced, the troika collapsed and Stalin turned against his former allies Kamenev and Zinoviev. In reaction, Kamenev joined the left opposition and soon became one of its prominent figures, arguing for the termination of the New Economic Policy and immediate industrialisation. However, the left opposition, now consisting of Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotsky, proved no match for Stalin. Gradually all left-wing motions were defeated and by 1927, these left-wing leaders were expelled from the party. Zinoviev and Kamenev were later readmitted to the party after they acknowledged their 'errors'.

Related Topics:
Left opposition - New Economic Policy - Industrialisation - 1927

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In 1935, Kamenev became a victim of Stalin's Great Purges, which eliminated almost all "Old Bolsheviks" from the Soviet government. He was charged with involvement in the assassination of Sergei Kirov (a charge that was most likely false), and sentenced to ten years in prison. In 1936 he was tried again, this time for treason, along with Zinoviev. On August 25, 1936, he was executed in Moscow after being found guilty.

Related Topics:
1935 - Stalin - Great Purges - Old Bolsheviks - Sergei Kirov - 1936 - Treason - Zinoviev - August 25

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Kamenev was married to Leon Trotsky's sister, Olga Kameneva.

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