1. BOLSHEVIK CONSOLIDATION OF POWER Flashcards
1.1 An overview of Bolshevik ideology, the October Coup 1917 and early Soviet government
What did Lenin and the Bolshevik Party envision for a future communist society?
A society where people are equal, there is no poverty, goods are produced by machines, and there is no state repression
This vision aligns with Marx’s idea of equality and the absence of class struggle.
Summarize Karl Marx’s statement regarding the ideal communist society.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
This reflects the principle of equitable distribution of resources.
What is the basis of the idealistic society envisioned by Lenin?
The ability to produce an abundance of goods, allowing people to take only what they need
This concept contrasts with capitalist principles of production and consumption.
What is the main idea presented by Marx in ‘The Communist Manifesto’?
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles
This highlights the ongoing conflicts between oppressor and oppressed classes.
What are the two classes Marx describes in his theory of class struggle?
Oppressor class and oppressed class
This can also be described as ‘the haves’ and ‘the have-nots’.
What stage is reached when the proletariat controls the state according to Marx?
The dictatorship of the proletariat (socialism)
This stage is seen as a necessary precursor to achieving communism.
What does Marxist determinism imply about the course of history?
The course of history is determined by overriding forces, primarily economics
This suggests that individual actions have limited impact on historical patterns.
What major problem did Lenin identify in Marx’s theory regarding Russia?
Marx did not explain how to transition from one stage of history to another, especially in a backward country like Russia
This posed a dilemma for Russian Marxists who were expected to push for capitalism before socialism.
What were the two factions that emerged from the Social Democratic Party in 1903?
Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
This split reflected differing strategies and philosophies regarding revolution and party structure.
What was Lenin’s view on the structure of the Bolshevik Party?
The party should comprise a small number of dedicated, highly disciplined revolutionaries and be centralised and hierarchical
This contrasted with the Menshevik belief in a broad-based party with democratic structures.
Fill in the blank: Lenin believed that the workers should take up arms against _______.
Russian officers and capitalists
This reflects Lenin’s strategy during World War I.
What is one criticism of Lenin regarding his interpretation of Marxism?
Critics suggest he was never a sincere Marxist but used it as a cover for his greed for power
This raises questions about the authenticity of his revolutionary intentions.
What is the significance of Lenin’s major works?
They provided practical applications of Marxist theory
Key works include ‘What Is To Be Done?’ (1902), ‘Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism’ (1916), and ‘The State and Revolution’ (1917).
What did David Christian identify as the failure of the Provisional Government in 1917?
It failed to provide an effective solution to the problems facing Russia
This failure reflected its impractical attempt to gain support from all sections of the population.
According to David Christian, what were the two key political alternatives facing Russia in 1917?
A right-wing solution, probably in the form of a military dictatorship, and Lenin’s left-wing alternative
Lenin’s alternative was outlined in his April Theses.
What was the main idea in Lenin’s April Theses regarding the type of government?
There must be no parliamentary republic, but a republic of Soviets of Workers’, Agricultural Labourers’, and Peasants’ Deputies
This emphasized control of social production and distribution by the Soviets.
What did Lenin propose as the immediate task in his April Theses?
To bring social production and distribution of products under the control of the Soviets of Workers’ Deputies
It was not to ‘introduce Socialism’ immediately.
What realization did Elyse Topalian attribute to Lenin regarding mass revolt in Russia?
Lenin realized that the idea of mass revolt was not developing as Marx had suggested
This prompted him to write ‘What is to be done?’ in 1902.
What was the significance of the title ‘What is to be done?’ for Lenin?
It was borrowed from a novel by Chernyshevsky, given to him by his executed brother
The subtitle was ‘The Burning Questions of our Movement.’
What was Lenin’s stance on the spontaneous uprising of workers according to Topalian?
He argued against the Marxist line that workers would rise up spontaneously
Instead, he believed their beliefs would need to be molded.
How did Topalian characterize Lenin’s approach in ‘What is to be done?’
A purely practical approach focused on immediate practical issues
Lenin left governance after the revolution somewhat vague.
True or False: Lenin believed that proletarian parties should support bourgeois governments.
False
Lenin believed they should try to overthrow them.
