9th Politburo and Secretariat: Composition and Tenure

9th Politburo and Secretariat

The 9th Politburo and Secretariat represented a critical juncture in the early governance of the Soviet state. Operating between April 1920 and March 1921, this body served as the executive committee for the Communist Party, concentrating decision-making power among a small group of high-ranking officials during a period of intense political consolidation.

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Key Facts

  • Term Duration: The 9th Politburo served for exactly 345 days.
  • Active Period: From 5 April 1920 to 16 March 1921.
  • Leadership: Included prominent figures such as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky.
  • Structure: The body was divided into full members and candidate members.

Membership Structure

The Politburo—the highest policy-making authority—was structured to distinguish between full members, who held primary voting power, and candidate members, who participated in discussions but had limited authority.

Full Members

The full members were the primary architects of party policy. During the 9th Politburo, this group consisted of five individuals who all served the full duration of the term:

  • Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924)
  • Leon Trotsky (1879–1940)
  • Joseph Stalin (1878–1953)
  • Lev Kamenev (1883–1936)
  • Nikolay Krestinsky (1883–1938)

Candidate Members

Candidate members served as a secondary tier of leadership, often acting as a pipeline for future full membership. The three candidate members for this term were:

  • Nikolai Bukharin (1888–1938)
  • Grigoriy Zinoviev (1883–1936)
  • Mikhail Kalinin (1875–1946)

Summary of Tenure

All members of the 9th Politburo and Secretariat shared an identical term of service, beginning and ending their roles simultaneously.

Composition of the 9th Politburo (1920–1921)
Member Name Status Took Office Left Office Duration
Vladimir Lenin Full Member 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Leon Trotsky Full Member 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Joseph Stalin Full Member 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Lev Kamenev Full Member 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Nikolay Krestinsky Full Member 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Nikolai Bukharin Candidate 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Grigoriy Zinoviev Candidate 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days
Mikhail Kalinin Candidate 5 April 1920 16 March 1921 345 days

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the 9th Politburo serve?

The 9th Politburo was in office from 5 April 1920 until 16 March 1921.

How long was the duration of their term?

Every member of the 9th Politburo served for a total of 345 days.

Who were the full members of the 9th Politburo?

The full members were Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Lev Kamenev, and Nikolay Krestinsky.

Who served as candidate members during this period?

The candidate members were Nikolai Bukharin, Grigoriy Zinoviev, and Mikhail Kalinin.

What is the difference between a full member and a candidate member?

Full members held primary decision-making and voting power within the Politburo, while candidate members participated in discussions but did not possess the same level of authority.