Grigory Zinoviev
1883 – 1936 Russian Bolshevik leader and head of the Communist International
A top Bolshevik who helped block Trotsky, then was destroyed by Stalin.
- Religion
- Born to a Jewish family; a militant atheist.
- Affiliations
- Bolshevik Party; head of the Comintern; part of the ruling triumvirate after Lenin, then purged by Stalin.
Zinoviev was a close associate of Lenin and led the Communist International. With Kamenev and Stalin he formed the triumvirate that sidelined Trotsky, then turned against Stalin too late. He was the lead defendant in the first Moscow show trial and was shot in 1936.
Connections
- rival of Joseph Stalin — First his ally against Trotsky, then his victim.
- rival of Joseph Stalin — Used then purged him in the first great show trial.
- ally of Leon Trotsky — Briefly allied against Stalin in the United Opposition.
- ally of Leon Trotsky — Joined Trotsky's United Opposition after breaking with Stalin.
- ally of Lev Kamenev — His constant political partner, executed with him.
- ally of Lev Kamenev — His inseparable political partner, executed alongside him.
- associate of Vladimir Lenin — A close lieutenant during the revolution and after.
- associate of Vladimir Lenin — A close lieutenant in exile and revolution.
In the timeline
- 1924 Zinoviev Letter published mentioned