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Questions and Answers
What was Lenin's view on the importance of the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’?
What was Lenin's view on the importance of the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’?
How did the Bolsheviks react to the results of the Constituent Assembly elections?
How did the Bolsheviks react to the results of the Constituent Assembly elections?
What was Trotsky's main argument against immediately signing a peace treaty with Germany?
What was Trotsky's main argument against immediately signing a peace treaty with Germany?
What was the key factor that led to the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litosk?
What was the key factor that led to the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litosk?
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What was the main consequence of the Treaty of Brest-Litosk for Russia?
What was the main consequence of the Treaty of Brest-Litosk for Russia?
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What was the main driving force behind the Bolsheviks' consolidation of one-party control?
What was the main driving force behind the Bolsheviks' consolidation of one-party control?
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Which of the following events occurred during the Bolshevik consolidation of power?
Which of the following events occurred during the Bolshevik consolidation of power?
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What is the best definition of a 'counter-revolutionary element' in the context of the text?
What is the best definition of a 'counter-revolutionary element' in the context of the text?
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What was the primary goal of the Comintern as established in its first Congress?
What was the primary goal of the Comintern as established in its first Congress?
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What significant change was made to the governmental structure in the early Soviet state?
What significant change was made to the governmental structure in the early Soviet state?
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What was a significant outcome of the Russo-Polish War?
What was a significant outcome of the Russo-Polish War?
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Which group is commonly referred to as the 'whites' during the Civil War?
Which group is commonly referred to as the 'whites' during the Civil War?
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What characterized the foreign interventions during the Civil War in Russia?
What characterized the foreign interventions during the Civil War in Russia?
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What was one of Trotsky's significant contributions to the Red Army during the Civil War?
What was one of Trotsky's significant contributions to the Red Army during the Civil War?
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How did foreign powers like Britain and Japan approach the Bolshevik regime during the Civil War?
How did foreign powers like Britain and Japan approach the Bolshevik regime during the Civil War?
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What was the secret clause of the Treaty of Rapallo?
What was the secret clause of the Treaty of Rapallo?
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What was a notable outcome of the Civil War concerning the Bolshevik state structure?
What was a notable outcome of the Civil War concerning the Bolshevik state structure?
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What economic model did Lenin introduce that was seen as a compromise between capitalism and socialism?
What economic model did Lenin introduce that was seen as a compromise between capitalism and socialism?
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The 'Miracle on the Vistula' refers to what event during the Russo-Polish War?
The 'Miracle on the Vistula' refers to what event during the Russo-Polish War?
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What was the effect of the 'Zinoviev letter' on British-Soviet relations?
What was the effect of the 'Zinoviev letter' on British-Soviet relations?
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Why did many Russians turn against the Bolsheviks during the Civil War?
Why did many Russians turn against the Bolsheviks during the Civil War?
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Which aspect of the Nomenklatura system emphasized loyalty?
Which aspect of the Nomenklatura system emphasized loyalty?
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What crisis exacerbated conditions in urban areas during the Civil War?
What crisis exacerbated conditions in urban areas during the Civil War?
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What tactic did the Bolsheviks use to maintain control over economic life during state capitalism?
What tactic did the Bolsheviks use to maintain control over economic life during state capitalism?
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What critical realization occurred by the summer of 1921 regarding world revolution?
What critical realization occurred by the summer of 1921 regarding world revolution?
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What event marked the start of the Civil War against the Bolsheviks in 1918?
What event marked the start of the Civil War against the Bolsheviks in 1918?
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What was one of the main reasons for foreign intervention in the Russian Civil War?
What was one of the main reasons for foreign intervention in the Russian Civil War?
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What was a consequence of Kolchak's leadership during the Civil War?
What was a consequence of Kolchak's leadership during the Civil War?
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How did the Bolshevik's military discipline during the Civil War manifest?
How did the Bolshevik's military discipline during the Civil War manifest?
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What was one of the significant impacts of the Civil War on the Bolshevik party structure?
What was one of the significant impacts of the Civil War on the Bolshevik party structure?
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Through what mechanism did the Bolsheviks attempt to manage severe food shortages during the Civil War?
Through what mechanism did the Bolsheviks attempt to manage severe food shortages during the Civil War?
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What did Bolshevik War Communism primarily emphasize?
What did Bolshevik War Communism primarily emphasize?
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Which group faced the severest consequences under War Communism?
Which group faced the severest consequences under War Communism?
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What event triggered the Red Terror campaign?
What event triggered the Red Terror campaign?
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What was the main outcome of the Kronstadt rising?
What was the main outcome of the Kronstadt rising?
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What crucial economic policy was introduced by Lenin in 1921?
What crucial economic policy was introduced by Lenin in 1921?
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How did the NEP affect grain requisitioning?
How did the NEP affect grain requisitioning?
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What led to the 'scissors crisis' observed during the NEP?
What led to the 'scissors crisis' observed during the NEP?
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What was one notable feature of the Ban on Factions introduced by Lenin?
What was one notable feature of the Ban on Factions introduced by Lenin?
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What was the primary aim of the CHEKA during the Red Terror?
What was the primary aim of the CHEKA during the Red Terror?
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Who led the Tambov revolt against the Bolshevik government?
Who led the Tambov revolt against the Bolshevik government?
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How did Lenin refer to the NEP?
How did Lenin refer to the NEP?
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What was the role of Gosplan established in February 1921?
What was the role of Gosplan established in February 1921?
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What characterized the NEPmen in Soviet trade?
What characterized the NEPmen in Soviet trade?
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What kind of policies were instituted to deal with the famine of 1921?
What kind of policies were instituted to deal with the famine of 1921?
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Flashcards
Bolshevik Dictatorship
Bolshevik Dictatorship
The one-party control established by Bolsheviks post-revolution to enforce socialism.
Constituent Assembly
Constituent Assembly
Legislative body elected in 1917, closed by the Bolsheviks in January 1918.
Lenin's View of Democracy
Lenin's View of Democracy
Lenin saw Western-style democracy as alien and a hindrance to revolution.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
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Trotsky's Strategy
Trotsky's Strategy
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Bolshevik Opposition
Bolshevik Opposition
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Political Repression
Political Repression
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Economic Losses
Economic Losses
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Nomenklatura system
Nomenklatura system
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Foreign interventions
Foreign interventions
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Comintern
Comintern
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Spartacist uprising
Spartacist uprising
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Russo-Polish War
Russo-Polish War
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Treaty of Riga
Treaty of Riga
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Rapallo Treaty
Rapallo Treaty
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Zinoviev letter
Zinoviev letter
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Miracle on the Vistula
Miracle on the Vistula
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Diplomatic isolation of Russia
Diplomatic isolation of Russia
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War Communism
War Communism
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Prodrazvyorkstka
Prodrazvyorkstka
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Cheka
Cheka
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Red Terror
Red Terror
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Tambov Revolt
Tambov Revolt
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Kronstadt Rising
Kronstadt Rising
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NEP (New Economic Policy)
NEP (New Economic Policy)
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Gosplan
Gosplan
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Scissors Crisis
Scissors Crisis
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Ban on Factions
Ban on Factions
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Kulik class
Kulik class
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Mensheviks and SR Party
Mensheviks and SR Party
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Censorship during NEP
Censorship during NEP
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Collective farming encouragement
Collective farming encouragement
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Labour discipline
Labour discipline
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Red Guards
Red Guards
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Red Army
Red Army
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Secular State
Secular State
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Nationalisation of Industry
Nationalisation of Industry
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Soviet Constitution 1918
Soviet Constitution 1918
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Civil War Causes
Civil War Causes
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Whites
Whites
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Trotsky's Role
Trotsky's Role
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Red Army Discipline
Red Army Discipline
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Murder of the Tsar
Murder of the Tsar
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Totalitarian Origins
Totalitarian Origins
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State Capitalism
State Capitalism
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GOERLO
GOERLO
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Urban Conditions During Civil War
Urban Conditions During Civil War
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Epidemics and Deaths
Epidemics and Deaths
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Study Notes
Bolshevik Consolidation (1918-1924)
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One-Party Control: Lenin and the Bolsheviks opposed liberal democracy, favoring a dictatorship of the proletariat. Elections for the Constituent Assembly in November 1917 resulted in SR victory (53%) and Bolshevik (24%) votes. The Assembly was forcibly dissolved on January 5, 1918, leading to protests and casualties. All other political parties were banned by 1921.
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Ending WWI Involvement: Bolshevik leaders disagreed on peace terms. Lenin favored a temporary peace, believing revolution would spread to Germany. Trotsky's "neither peace nor war" tactic delayed negotiations. The Treaty of Brest-Litosk (March 1918) was signed, resulting in significant territorial losses (1/6 of population, 2 million sq km of land) and reparations to Germany.
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Consolidation of One-Party State: Decrees after January 1918 included worker control, army restructuring (Red Army), separation of church and state, nationalization of industry, and land socialization. The first Soviet constitution established the All-Russian Congress of Soviets as the supreme power, excluding former "exploiting classes" from voting.
The Civil War (Causes and Course)
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Causes: Opposition arose from various groups (right, middle, left). Former Tsarist sympathizers, SRs, and some national minorities opposed Bolshevik rule. Economic hardship further alienated segments of the population.
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Course: White armies (Denikin, Yudenich, Kolchak, Wrangel) fought the Bolsheviks. The Czech Legion's attack in Siberia triggered open conflict. The Bolsheviks held central Russia. Geographical advantages and organization favored their victory by 1920, though the conflict had a heavy human cost (10 million deaths).
Role of Trotsky
- Military Leadership: Trotsky directed the Red Army from a train, visiting commanders, ensuring supplies, and boosting morale. He integrated former Tsarist officers into the Red Army. Discipline was strict, with harsh penalties for disloyalty. He modernized the Red Army, introducing traditional ranks and conscription.
Murder of the Tsar
- Elimination: Bolsheviks feared the former Tsar as a source of resistance. In July 1918, the entire Tsarist family was executed without trial.
Red Victory Reasons
- Centralized Government: The totalitarian state, originating in the Civil War, centralized leadership. Party members (over half a million) fought, fostering obedience and a military mentality. This also led to a substantial growth in the soviet bureaucracy. The Politburo established in 1919 gradually assumed greater power.
Economic and Social Developments
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State Capitalism: An intermediate stage toward socialism. The Supreme Council of National Economy (Veshenska) and GOERLO (electricity production) were created as state organizations in this period.
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Conditions During Civil War: Industrial production, inflation, and urban strife increased. Food shortages, fuel scarcity, and basic necessities emerged, with the worst conditions in urban areas impacting the proletariat. Epidemics (typhus) further devastated the populace. Violence (especially in Ukraine) were factors as well.
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War Communism: The Bolsheviks treated the Russian economy as a single unit to maximize production. This included grain requisitioning (Prodrazvyorstka), nationalizing industries, restricting trade, and imposing labor discipline. These policies reduced output significantly. Rationing was based on social class, discriminating against former elites.
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Red Terror: The Bolsheviks implemented coercion to sustain their policies, using arbitrary terror against those who opposed them, including workers and peasants. The Cheka carried out class warfare and used concentration camps.
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Revolts (1920-1921): The Tambov revolt (peasants against grain requisitioning) and Kronstadt rising (naval sailors demanding democracy) highlighted dissent. These conflicts were brutally suppressed.
The NEP and its Impact
- Economic Impact: The New Economic Policy (NEP) ended grain requisitioning, permitted private trade, and allowed peasants to sell surplus produce. Small businesses flourished, and agricultural production improved, leading to economic recovery. However, imbalances and the scissors crisis emerged (the result of a large supply of goods and a significant lag in industrial output to produce consumer goods for the peasants), but the government resolved this with price capping.
- Political Impact: The NEP was presented as a temporary measure (Lenin's view). The ban on factions, increased censorship, creation of the Nomenklatura system, and persecution of religious groups were part of the new political landscape.
Foreign Intervention in the Civil War
- Limited Impact: Foreign intervention with Britain, France, Japan, and US support for the Whites was uncoordinated and ineffective.
Comintern and Russo-Polish War
- Comintern: The Third Communist International (Comintern) aimed to spread revolution globally. However, their ambitions waned as uprisings failed.
- Russo-Polish War: Poland fought against the Red Army, ultimately securing its borders with the Treaty of Riga. Lenin's prediction of a Polish revolution did not materialize.
Discussions Leading to the Rapallo Treaty
- Diplomatic Isolation: Russia sought out new diplomatic allies, eventually meeting with Germany at the Conference of Genoa. This facilitated the Treaty of Rapallo, re-establishing diplomatic relations and resolving WW1 debts
Recognition and the Zinoviev Letter
- Recognition: After the Civil War, Britain accepted de facto recognition of the Soviet State.
- Zinoviev Letter: A forged letter linked to Zionviev and the British Communist Party. It worsened Anglo-Soviet diplomatic relations, isolating Russia.
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Description
Explore the significant events of Bolshevik consolidation from 1918 to 1924. This quiz covers the establishment of one-party control, the end of World War I involvement, and the key policies enacted by Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Test your knowledge on this transformative period in Russian history.