1.9) Bolshevik consolidation of Power Flashcards
What changes were made by Lenin?
1.** Lenin set up his own govt- The Sovnarkom “The Council of People’s Commissars” Lenin was chairman, Trotsky was comissar for war and Stalin was commissar for Nationalities
2. Decree on land- all land taken away from the Tsar and landlords and given to peasants
3. Priority to get food to cities- Lenin sent out Cheka (secret police) to sieze grain from peasants who would not comply
4. Set up Cheka (secret police) to arrest all who opposed the regime
5. Bolsheviks now called communists
6. Lenin forced to hold elections promised by the PG. Bolsheviks lost to social revolutionaries 175 seats to 370 seats. Lenin ignored it and still ruled
7. Lenin sent Trotsky to negotiate a peace deal with the Germans. Successful but lost land in Finland, Ukraine, Romaina, 62 million people and 27% of arable land and 74% of iron and coal supplies
What were the decrees made by the Sovnarkom in Nov and Dec 1917?
- max 8 hour working day
- insurance for injuries, illness and unemployment
- Titles and classes abolished
- Non bolshevik newspapers banned
- liberal parties banned
- All factories under control of workers’ committees
- All banks taken over by govt
- Army now democratic
- Church land confiscated by the state
Who did the Red army support?
The communists
Who did the white army support?
All who opposed the bolsheviks
* tsarists
* nobles
* middle class
* mencheviks
* socialist revolutionaries
Who did the green army support?
An independent group of peasants who fought anyone and raided villages. Fought for themselves not for control of Russia.
What factors lead to the Red army winning?
Geographical- They had the railway lines, industrial and central areas
Leadership and unity- Trotsky was a fantastic leader and brought in 50,000 former tsarist officers. Trotsky had a train which took him to the hardest battles
Aims- To stay in power and build a socialist society. Simple and unified.
What factors lead to the White army losing?
Geographical- Scattered armies, little communication
Leadership and unity- Lacked good leaders, cruel commanders who drank and took drugs, no trust between generals, often fights
Aims- Not unified, some wanted Tsar back others wanted to defeat Bolsheviks
What foreign intervention did the armies recieve?
White- Supported by USA, GB, France and Japan who sent supplies but no troops. Ineffective
Red- Recieved none so portrayed whites as capitalist sympathizers due to allied support
By the end of 1918 what lead to the Reds winning?
- The reds were losing the war but the white armies did not attack together
- Trotsky used the red army to attack the whites an army at a time.
