1918-24 post civil war - unit 2 Flashcards
Why was there a famine in 1920 and 1921?
Drought and the government policies of requisitioning which left peasants with nothing.
Why did Lenin need to launch NEP? (Tick all that apply)
Rebellions (Tambov and Kronstadt)
Just because the economy was liberated, did that mean politically it did too?
No
What was the ban on factions passed in 1921?
Ban on groups within the party coming together over key issues
What was the impact of the ban on factions?
Greater centralisation
What was democratic centralism?
Other parties were banned and L and the politiburo’s decisions had to be supported
What was the Rapallo Treaty?
An agreement signed in 1922 between Germany and Russia to cooperate economically, diplomatically and Germany could use Russian military training grounds
What was the Rapallo Treaty?
An agreement signed in 1922 between Germany and Russia to cooperate economically, diplomatically and Germany could use Russian military training grounds.
What did the Rapallo Treaty become in 1922?
The Treaty of Berlin, which contained a non-aggression Pact
What was the nomenklatura system?
A system introduced in 1923 where a pool of loyal people was created where all key jobs were chosen from
What was the Russo-Polish War and who won?
Russia versus Poland, Poland won
How did Lenin maintain political control in 1921?
GPU (old cheka)
What was the Tambov revolt?
Autumn 1920 peasants led a rebellion against grain requisitioning and Cheka brutality. By Jan 1921 Antov, the leader had a force of 50,000. The revolt spread during the spring and their were peasant attacks on the grain stores along the Volga rivers
What was the Kronstadt rising?
Sailors at the naval base, previously loyal to the Bolsheviks started a rebellion about the Communist suppression of strikes in Petrograd. The sailors demanded reforms which would turn Russia into a soviet democracy It was violently put down.
Why was NEP introduced?
The Tambov revolt - the largest peasant result since the 1700s and Kronstadt - the most loyal supporters, plus divisions within the communist party led to a political crisis - new direction needed.
What was NEP?
Ended war communism
End to grain requisitioning - peasants could buy, sell and produce freely. GR was replaced by a tax in kind
Small factories and workshops were denationalised and they could trade freely. Many went back to their former capitalist owners
Large factories and major industries remained nationalised
Money was re-introduced
HOw did this go down with the peassants?
Ending Grain requisitioning was popular with the peasants
Free trade encouraged peasants to grow more
The famine ended and farming revived compared to 1921
However the grain harvest didn’t reach 1913 levels, in 1924 = 51.4 tons, but in 1913 it was 80
What was the impact of NEP on industry?
NEP led to industrial growth
Lenin authorised a major electrification campaign and revived this area that was largely destroyed during the civil war
However, industrial recovery was slow not exceeding 1913 levels until 1926
What was the Comintern?
Established in March 1919 to promote worldwide revolution.
Lenin wanted to create Communist parties abroad, loyal to Moscow and overthrow foreign powers
What were the terms of the Rapallo treaty?
Both nations promised to cooperation in a spirit of good will to meet the economic needs of both countries
Re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Germany
Russia provided military training grounds and resources
Russia would be allowed special training rights in Germany
How successful was Lenin by the time of his death in 1924?
Promised peace, bread and land but led Russia into a brutal civil war and his policies created a famine
Soviet democracy was usurped by the party
NEP was unpopular within the communist party because it looked like capitalism
BUT
Lenin had achieved his goal of the communists seizing power and retaining it. He hoped this would lead to world communism.
When does Russia become the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)?
1929 - it was a multi-national Communist state in which each republic would possess its own government as part of a federal structure
What did the party think of NEP?
What was the impact of NEP?
Free market emerged and peasants were happy to buy and sell freely, they paid a tax in kind instead
Small factories are de-nationalised
Large factories remained nationalised
Strong economic growth
electrification campaign began
Farming was revived
