2.1 Bolshevik Consolidation of Power Flashcards
Why did Lenin decide to go ahead with the Constituent Assembly?
It was one of the main demands for revolutionary parties prior to 1905.
What was the outcome of Constituent Assembly (Nov 1917)?
The Bolsheviks lost to the more popular Social Revolutionaries.
Why did the Constituent Assembly permanently close?
Lenin only wanted the Assembly to meet on Jan 5th 1918, if they became subservient to the Sovnarkom.
The assembly rejected this proposal and Lenin retaliated, surrounding the building with Red Guards and denying access to the elected representatives (SRs).
Lenin then blamed the Bourgeoise for rigging the election and permanently closed the Assembly.
What was the Politburo?
A five man committee responsible to deciding Bolshevik policies.
Initially consisted of Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Kamenev and Krestinsky.
When was the Politburo formed?
At the 8th Party Congress in March 1919.
What is meant by the view “Annexational Peace”?
The idea that Russia was too weak to carry on with war and instead the Russian Revolution should take priority.
This was Lenin’s View
What is meant by the view “No war, No peace”?
The idea that Russia should declare that the war is over but refuse any German peace terms.
This was Trotsky’s view.
What is meant by the view “Revolutionary War”
The idea that Russia should arm and mobilise people to wage war against imperialists and that a world revolution should take priority.
This was Bukharin’s view.
When and who was the Treaty of Bresk-Litovsk with?
The treaty was signed between Russia and Germany on March 3rd 1918, which ended the war on the Eastern Front.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Russia lost Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bessarabia, Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine.
This resulted in Russia losing about:
- 1/6 of its pop. (62 million)
- 27% of agricultural land
- 26% of railways
- 74% of coal and iron ore supplies
Russia also had to pay 3 billion roubles for war reparations in Germany
What was the Consequence of the treaty of Brest Litovsk for the Bolsheviks?
There was a national decline in support for the Bolsheviks, worsened by the Social Revolutionaries withdrawing their support and participation in the Sovnarkom.
