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Questions and Answers
What was the purpose-built armored train used during the Civil War?
What was the purpose-built armored train used during the Civil War?
The purpose-built armored train travelled through battlefields along the front line to support and lead Red Army troops.
What organization was used to indoctrinate young people with Bolshevik ideology?
What organization was used to indoctrinate young people with Bolshevik ideology?
The Bolsheviks used the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League, also known as KOMSOMOL, to promote the image of an ideal communist and to spread communist ideology.
What did the "Scissors Crisis" in the USSR refer to?
What did the "Scissors Crisis" in the USSR refer to?
The Scissors Crisis stemmed from the sharp contrast between the increasing cost of industrial goods and the decreasing cost of agricultural goods, creating a significant tension between urban and rural populations.
What is the name of the secret police in the USSR?
What is the name of the secret police in the USSR?
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What is the name of the policy that Stalin used to green-light the "Kirov Decrees"?
What is the name of the policy that Stalin used to green-light the "Kirov Decrees"?
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What were the six criteria for a totalitarian state?
What were the six criteria for a totalitarian state?
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Stalin’s decisions in the USSR were always enforced everywhere, in all parts of the country, due to the sheer size of the Soviet Union.
Stalin’s decisions in the USSR were always enforced everywhere, in all parts of the country, due to the sheer size of the Soviet Union.
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What were the two main challenges to the Communist Party achieving total control over people in the USSR?
What were the two main challenges to the Communist Party achieving total control over people in the USSR?
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What was the primary goal of War Communism during the Russian Civil War?
What was the primary goal of War Communism during the Russian Civil War?
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The Bolsheviks successfully eliminated social class distinctions in Russia after the Civil War.
The Bolsheviks successfully eliminated social class distinctions in Russia after the Civil War.
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What was the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in response to?
What was the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in response to?
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The Bolsheviks used the __________ to suppress political opposition.
The Bolsheviks used the __________ to suppress political opposition.
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Match the following individuals with their roles during the Russian Civil War:
Match the following individuals with their roles during the Russian Civil War:
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Which of the following best describes the Bolsheviks' approach to ideology during the Civil War?
Which of the following best describes the Bolsheviks' approach to ideology during the Civil War?
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The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in 1918 was aimed to foster political opposition
The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in 1918 was aimed to foster political opposition
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What was the Zhenotdel?
What was the Zhenotdel?
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What was the main goal of Stalin's propaganda?
What was the main goal of Stalin's propaganda?
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Stalin's censorship aimed to allow a variety of differing political opinions to be expressed.
Stalin's censorship aimed to allow a variety of differing political opinions to be expressed.
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What artistic style was promoted by the state in the USSR from the 1930s onward?
What artistic style was promoted by the state in the USSR from the 1930s onward?
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Stalin used the Cult of ______ as a springboard for his own political career.
Stalin used the Cult of ______ as a springboard for his own political career.
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Match the following terms related to Stalin's rule with their descriptions:
Match the following terms related to Stalin's rule with their descriptions:
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What was the impact of Stalin's actions on the Soviet workforce?
What was the impact of Stalin's actions on the Soviet workforce?
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Stalin's propaganda always portrayed him as a humble and modest leader.
Stalin's propaganda always portrayed him as a humble and modest leader.
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What was the purpose of creating new versions of Soviet history?
What was the purpose of creating new versions of Soviet history?
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In order to foster an atmosphere of conformity, Stalin promoted a vision of life in the USSR based on prosperity, freedom, and ______.
In order to foster an atmosphere of conformity, Stalin promoted a vision of life in the USSR based on prosperity, freedom, and ______.
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Which of the following was NOT a typical criterion for a totalitarian state under Stalin?
Which of the following was NOT a typical criterion for a totalitarian state under Stalin?
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Which of the following was NOT a reform introduced by the Bolsheviks concerning women's rights?
Which of the following was NOT a reform introduced by the Bolsheviks concerning women's rights?
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The 'Decree on Illiteracy' made it illegal to refuse to learn to read and write.
The 'Decree on Illiteracy' made it illegal to refuse to learn to read and write.
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What was the primary stated goal of the KOMSOMOL organization?
What was the primary stated goal of the KOMSOMOL organization?
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The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced by Lenin as a(n) ______ solution to Russia’s economic problems.
The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced by Lenin as a(n) ______ solution to Russia’s economic problems.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What was the impact of the Bolshevik's seizing of church land?
What was the impact of the Bolshevik's seizing of church land?
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The USSR was formed before the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
The USSR was formed before the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
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What was the main political position held by Stalin that enabled him to influence all branches of the Communist Party?
What was the main political position held by Stalin that enabled him to influence all branches of the Communist Party?
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Stalin used the murder of ______ to instigate the Kirov Decrees.
Stalin used the murder of ______ to instigate the Kirov Decrees.
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What was the primary goal of the Five Year Plans implemented by Stalin?
What was the primary goal of the Five Year Plans implemented by Stalin?
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The Great Terror was primarily designed to improve the economy of the Soviet Union.
The Great Terror was primarily designed to improve the economy of the Soviet Union.
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Name one of the long-term impacts of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
Name one of the long-term impacts of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
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The process by which society is broken down to the individual is known as ______.
The process by which society is broken down to the individual is known as ______.
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Which of the following was NOT a reason for Stalin's victory in the power struggle?
Which of the following was NOT a reason for Stalin's victory in the power struggle?
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Match the following figures with their political positions
Match the following figures with their political positions
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Study Notes
Outcomes and Consequences of the Civil War Years
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1918: Dissolution of the Constituent Assembly; banning of opposition press and political parties
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1921: Lenin banned factionalism, gaining complete control.
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GPU (secret police) was established to target political opposition.
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War Communism was instituted to supply armies and cities during the Civil War, later failing, replaced by the New Economic Policy (NEP) for economic revitalization
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1922: Russia was not the stateless, classless society Marx envisioned in his 1848 Communist Manifesto.
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Bolshevik policies strengthened state power, with all decisions made by political elites.
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Bolsheviks created a new bourgeois class (Kulaks and Nepmen) instead of eliminating existing ones.
Achievements of Lenin and Trotsky during the Civil War
- Strong leadership skills
- Mastered public speaking
- Characterized opponents (White Army and foreign forces) as imperialists seeking to destabilize Russia.
- Used economic controls (War Communism) during the Civil War to gain control.
- Cracked down on political opposition via the Cheka.
- Led the Red Army effectively.
- Enforced strict discipline and harsh punishments.
- Utilized ex-Tsarist generals and soldiers in the Red Army, leveraging their experience.
- Assigned political commissars to military units to maintain ideological alignment.
- Introduced mass conscription.
- Developed propaganda to portray the White Army and foreign forces as imperialists seeking to destabilize Russia.
Social Changes under Bolshevik Rule
- Women: Leading female Bolsheviks aimed to liberate women from oppressive state and church structures, equaling them to men. The Zhenotdel served as a department of women's affairs. Reforms included voting rights, property rights, divorce, abortion, and paid maternity leave.
- Education: Prior to 1917, illiteracy was high in Russia. Bolsheviks prioritized literacy for political awareness. By 1919, universal literacy became policy..
- Young People: The KOMSOMOL (All-Union Leninist Young Communist League) was established to indoctrinate youth in Communist ideology.
- Religion: The Orthodox Church lost wealth and land. The Bolsheviks viewed religion as incompatible with communism, suppressing religious figures, leading to arrests, executions and forced conversions.
Failure of War Communism and the New Economic Policy (NEP)
- War Communism's failure to improve the economy—hyperinflation, food shortages, low wages—resulted in strikes and riots.
- The NEP (New Economic Policy) was introduced as a temporary fix to Russia's economic woes by Lenin, introducing private enterprise, reintroduction of money into the economy, and increased freedom for trade unions. Peasants were granted rights to sell excess grain, improving working conditions, increasing harvests & industrial production.
The Creation of the USSR
- The USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was formed as a collection of socialist countries, replacing the Russian Empire.
- The Russian Empire was isolated from Europe.
- Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in March 1917.
- Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917.
- Several territories declared independence from the collapsing Russian Empire.
- Bolsheviks aimed for worldwide communist revolution.
- Communists consolidated control over Russia via eliminating political opposition, using terror, and establishing soviets in surrounding territories.
- The USSR was officially established in December 1922.
- The USSR Constitution was formalized in 1924, legitimizing the new state.
- The USSR was dissolved in 1991.
The Death of Lenin
- Vladimir Lenin died in 1924.
- A power struggle ensued to succeed Lenin as head of the USSR.
- Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky were leading contenders.
- Lenin's political testament, outlining his opinions on each Communist Party member, fueled a power struggle, including Stalin and Trotsky.
Overview of the Bolshevik Power Struggle
- Joseph Stalin, Leon Trotsky, Nikolai Bukharin, Lev Kamenev, Grigory Zinoviev Mikhail Tomsky, and Alexei Rykov were major players in this struggle.
- Stalin utilized his position as General Secretary of the Party, Commissar for Nationalities, Commissar of Workers' and Peasants' Inspection, as well as a member of the Politburo to consolidate power.
Reasons for Stalin's Victory in the Power Struggle
- Stalin's charisma and political acumen, building support within the Party using loyalists, making him appear indispensable.
- Stalin skillfully manipulated and leveraged the cult of Lenin's personality.
- The public image of opposing figures (e.g., Trotsky) was damaged.
- Stalin's willingness to be flexible on ideology.
- Purging and manipulating rivals and political opponents.
- Stalin's ability to tap into populist sentiments.
Collectivization
- Steep increase in the price of industrial goods and a decrease in the price agricultural goods caused conflict.
- Peasants were isolated from urban centers.
- Collectivization aimed to create large state-run farms to produce grain for urban populations.
- Land was confiscated and Kulak populations were exiled due to non-cooperation, resulting in widespread famine.
- Estimated 10 million peasants died due to mass deportations and famine.
Successes and Failures of Collectivization
- Agricultural production declined significantly.
- Livestock populations drastically decreased by 50% and a large portion of the population refused to work on state-run farms—leading to economic hardships and famine.
Reasons for Industrialization
- The transformation of the Soviet Union from an agrarian society into an industrial one was crucial for its survival.
- The NEP was deemed insufficient for industrial growth.
- Lenin's death in 1924 meant no clear successor, creating a power vacuum.
- Stalin's desire for complete state control of the economy.
- Economic modernization was prioritized above all else.
The Five Year Plans
- Stalin implemented five-year plans to achieve rapid industrialization.
- The plans were unrealistic with forced industrialization leading to widespread hardship.
The Great Terror
- An era of widespread violence, arrests, imprisonment, and executions perpetrated by Stalin's regime.
- This was partly motivated by Stalin's paranoia about threats to his power.
- Targeted political rivals and anyone who threatened his power.
The Purges
- Targeted political opponents, including members of the Communist Party, military leaders, intellectuals, and ethnic minorities.
- Used show trials, executions, and forced labor camps (gulags) to eliminate rivals.
- Created a climate of terror and intimidation in Soviet society.
Propaganda, Censorship, and Official Culture
- Stalin's propaganda aimed to promote Communist Party values, loyalty, collectivisation, and industrialisation.
- Controlled and suppressed information deemed inappropriate to maintain Stalin's positive public image.
Stalin as Totalitarianism
- A system where the government has total control over every aspect of citizens' lives.
- Six key criteria of totalitarianism:
- Single-party rule
- Powerful ideology
- Total control over armed forces
- Total control over communication
- Total control over the economy
- Extensive use of terror, police control, brutality and intimidation
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Description
Explore the significant outcomes and consequences of the Civil War years in Russia, focusing on key events from 1918 to 1922. The quiz delves into the establishment of the GPU, the impact of War Communism, and the achievements of Lenin and Trotsky during this tumultuous period.
