Bolshevik Consolidation of Power and Rebellions
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Questions and Answers

What economic policy replaced forced grain requisitioning during the NEP?

  • Grain Subsidization
  • Tax in Kind (correct)
  • Direct State Control
  • Market Liberalization

Which group emerged as wealthier peasants under the NEP, leading to increased inequality?

  • Kulaks (correct)
  • Proletarians
  • Nepmen
  • Bourgeoisie

By what year did grain production return to pre-World War I levels?

  • 1926
  • 1930
  • 1928 (correct)
  • 1925

What currency was reintroduced to facilitate trade under the NEP?

<p>Ruble (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sector did the state maintain control over during the NEP?

<p>Heavy Industries (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of retail trade was accounted for by private trade by 1923?

<p>75% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major political shift occurred after the NEP due to concerns about its ideological implications?

<p>Implementation of the first Five-Year Plan (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the economy showed limited recovery by 1926 under the NEP?

<p>Heavy Industries (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event demonstrated the Bolsheviks' determination to suppress internal rebellion during the early years of the Soviet regime?

<p>The Kronstadt Rebellion (C), The Tambov Rebellion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which policy resulted in the requisition of grain and caused significant famine during the civil war?

<p>War Communism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major outcome of the New Economic Plan (NEP) introduced in 1921?

<p>Limited private enterprise reintroduction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Bolshevik government control and censor information and media?

<p>By banning non-Bolshevik newspapers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Cheka during the early Soviet period?

<p>To eliminate opposition (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributed to the Bolshevik's tight political control by 1922?

<p>High membership in the Communist Party (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major change occurred in 1922 regarding the secret police?

<p>The GPU replaced the Cheka (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The electrification campaign launched by Lenin aimed to achieve what by 1926?

<p>300% increase in electricity production (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary objectives of the nationalities policy implemented by the Bolsheviks?

<p>To co-opt local elites into the Bolshevik regime (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the agricultural output drop during War Communism?

<p>Widespread famine resulting in millions of deaths (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

The New Economic Policy (NEP) was a shift in Soviet economic policy, introduced in March 1921, that allowed for private trade and some capitalist elements within the socialist economy. The NEP aimed to revive the Soviet economy after the devastating civil war and economic crisis.

How did the NEP change agricultural policies?

The NEP allowed peasants to sell surplus farm produce on the open market, replacing the controversial 'grain requisitioning' policy of War Communism, which forced peasants to hand over produce to the state.

What currency was reintroduced under the NEP?

The NEP reintroduced a stable currency, the 'ruble', to facilitate trade and economic activity. This replaced the chaotic and uncontrolled post-war financial situation.

How did the NEP encourage foreign involvement?

The NEP allowed some foreign investment and trade, inviting foreign businesses, mainly French, to help rebuild the Soviet economy.

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What was one significant success of the NEP?

One of the NEP's successes was the revival of agricultural production, with grain harvests recovering to pre-war levels.

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How did the NEP impact industry?

The NEP saw industrial output rebound, though heavy industries lagged behind agriculture. Industrial production steadily increased, reaching pre-war levels by 1926.

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What was a drawback of the NEP's economic success?

While the NEP improved the lives of many peasants, it also led to income disparities, as private traders and wealthier peasants thrived. This was a concern for some communists.

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What led to the NEP's termination?

The NEP was controversial, with critics like Stalin arguing it was ideologically dangerous. Its eventual replacement was driven by concerns about capitalism's influence and the desire for rapid industrialization.

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One-Party State in Russia

The Bolsheviks outlawed opposition parties in 1921, creating a one-party state. Their control over the Communist Party allowed them to maintain a tight grip on the political system.

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Tambov Rebellion (1920-1921)

The Tambov Rebellion was a peasant uprising in 1920-1921 that protested grain requisitions. The Red Army used brutal tactics to crush the rebellion, including executions, deportations, and poison gas.

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Kronstadt Rebellion (March 1921)

The Kronstadt Rebellion in March 1921 involved disillusioned sailors, many former Bolsheviks, revolting against the Bolshevik regime. The Bolsheviks used overwhelming force to crush the rebellion, resulting in thousands of casualties.

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War Communism (1918-1921)

War Communism was a policy implemented during the Russian Civil War that involved the requisition of grain to feed the Red Army. This policy caused widespread famine, leading to the deaths of millions.

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New Economic Policy (NEP)

The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in 1921 to address the economic collapse and rebellions caused by War Communism. It partially allowed private enterprise, but kept key industries under state control.

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Cheka (Secret Police)

The Cheka was a secret police force established by the Bolsheviks to eliminate opposition. It had a large network of agents and was responsible for numerous executions and disappearances.

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GPU (State Political Directorate)

The GPU (State Political Directorate) replaced the Cheka in 1922 and continued its role in crushing dissent and maintaining Bolshevik control.

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Formation of the USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed in December 1922, bringing together semi-autonomous regions under Bolshevik control. This created a federal system with centralized power in Moscow.

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Centralized Power in the USSR

The Politburo became the primary decision-making body in the Bolshevik Party, with the Soviet government structure ultimately subservient to the party's authority. This ensured the single-party state.

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Nationalization of Industry

The Bolsheviks nationalized 90% of heavy industry in 1923, gaining control over crucial industries like coal, iron ore and steel production, and oil.

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Study Notes

Bolshevik Consolidation of Power

  • The Bolsheviks, through the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), established a one-party state by 1922.
  • Factions within the party were forbidden, alongside other parties.
  • The CPSU's membership reached 730,000 by 1922, strengthening Bolshevik control.

Internal Rebellions and Suppression

  • The Tambov rebellion (1920-1921), a peasant uprising of 50,000 protesting grain requisitioning, was crushed by the Red Army using violence, including executions.
  • The Kronstadt rebellion (March 1921), led by disillusioned sailors (formerly Bolshevik), with 17,000 sailors, faced a 50,000 Red Army response leading to 10,000 fatalities and widespread imprisonment.

Economic Policies

  • War Communism (1918-1921) caused economic hardship, reducing industrial output by 80% and agricultural output by 40%. Grain requisitioning for the army caused 5 million deaths from famine.
  • The New Economic Policy (NEP, 1921-1928) was introduced in response to widespread economic hardship and civil uprising, to restore economic stability.
  • Small enterprises were privatized but heavy industries, banking, and transport were state-controlled.
  • By 1926, the economy recovered to 75% of pre-war levels with grain harvests up 50% from 1921.

Use of Repression

  • The Cheka (secret police) aimed to eliminate opposition, growing to approximately 200,000 by 1921.
  • Their actions resulted in 50,000-70,000 deaths.
  • The Cheka was replaced in 1922 by the GPU, maintaining similar functions.
  • By 1923, 70,000 political prisoners were in labour camps (Gulags).

Centralization of Power

  • The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed in December 1922, incorporating semi-autonomous areas (Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia) under Bolshevik control.
  • The Bolshevik Party's executive committee (Politburo) became the primary decision-making body.
  • The Soviet government structure was subordinate to the Communist Party, creating a one-party state.

Control of the Economy

  • By 1923, the Bolsheviks nationalized 90% of heavy industry (coal, iron ore/steel, oil) ensuring tight control.
  • The NEP introduced "tax in kind" rather than requisitioning grain, reducing peasantry unrest.
  • Lenin prioritized industrial modernization with the GOELRO plan in 1920, increasing electricity production by 300% by 1926, improving industrial output.

Propaganda and Ideological Control

  • Literacy campaigns were launched by the Bolsheviks to promote Bolshevik ideology., increasing literacy rates from 30% in 1917 to 51% in 1921.
  • All non-Bolshevik newspapers and publications were banned.
  • Proletkult organizations promoted proletariat culture and religious institutions were suppressed, with over 1200 churches being closed by 1923.

Foreign Policy and Defence

  • The Treaty of Rapallo (1922) established diplomatic relations and economic cooperation with Germany.
  • The Red Army grew to 1.5 million by 1923.

Dealing with Ethnic Minorities

  • The Bolsheviks implemented a "nationalities policy" giving limited autonomy to minorities.
  • The USSR was structured as a federal government with Moscow as its head, incorporating local elites into the Bolshevik regime through a strategy of "indigenization."
  • Armed uprisings in Ukraine and Georgia were brutally suppressed by the Red Army..

NEP - Logistical Impact

  • Private enterprise was partially restored, allowing small businesses and peasants to sell surpluses.
  • Grain requisitioning was replaced with a "tax in kind", easing tensions.
  • Market mechanisms were reintroduced to some degree, with the state retaining control of key industries.
  • The ruble was reintroduced as a stable currency.
  • Foreign investment was encouraged, attracting mainly French entrepreneurs.

NEP - Successes

  • Agricultural production recovered significantly (from 37.6 million tons in 1921 to 73.3 million tons in 1928).
  • Industrial output increased, recovering to pre-war levels by 1926.
  • Peasant livelihoods and urban recovery were seen as positive.

NEP - Challenges

  • Rising inequality between Nepmen and Kulaks contrasted with socialist ideals.
  • Heavy industries lagged behind agricultural recovery.
  • The NEP was seen as ideologically problematic by some Bolsheviks.

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Explore the Bolshevik rise to power and their suppression of internal rebellions from 1920 to 1922. This quiz covers key events such as the Tambov and Kronstadt uprisings, as well as the economic policies of War Communism and the NEP. Test your knowledge of this crucial period in Soviet history.

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