8. The Civil War & War Communism Flashcards
Why did many groups oppose the communist regime?
It destroyed the democratically elected parliament, imposed a one-party dictatorship, and wanted to radically new social and economic system.
When was the civil war?
1918-1921
What economic policy did the government introduce?
War communism
Who were the Bolsheviks’ opponents in the war?
The White Russians.
Who were the White Russians?
They were made up of different groups who opposed the communist dictatorship. They had different goals but agreed on one issue, to get rid of the communist dictatorship.
Who made up the White Russians?(4)
- landowners who wanted the monarchy back
- liberals who wanted a capitalist democracy
- socialists who disliked the dictatorship of the proletariat
- supporters of the socialist revolutionaries
Why were they called the whites?
To stress their difference from the Red Bolsheviks and in reference to the white king( Russia’s first king), as they supported the old tsarist system.
Some White Russians wore white uniforms of the tsarist ____ army.
Imperial
Who did the White Russians get aid from?(4)
Britain
America
France
Japan
How were the White Russians weakened?
Weakened by rivalry amongst their leaders and because they did not agree on how Russia should be ruled once communists had been defeated.
Who led the Bolshevik red guards into the red army?
Trotsky.
During the civil war both sides committed brutal acts of _____, during which many thousands of people were killed. The ____ and his family were among the victims.
Terror
Tsar
Why did the red army win?(2)
- United by a common purpose
- discipline was strict and their propaganda was effective
_____ organization was excellent and ______ ensured that the red army was well equipped and fed through his policy of war communism.
Trotsky
Lenin
What was War communism?
The government took control of the economy and used nationalization and central planning.
What was the food situation during war communism?
Grain and other food supplies were requisitioned from peasants at prices set by the government. This was done to feed the red army and people in cities.
Soldiers and _____ workers received more food than anyone else did. People were ______ to work in factories or fight for the red army.
Manual
Conscripted
What was banned under war communism?
Strikers and private trade
What happened to private wealth?
It became the property of the government and nobody was allowed to inherit property.
What were the effects of war communism?(3)
- food shortages and famine
- people blamed the government and opposition to it grew
- peasant rebellions against requisitioning
The sailors at Kronstadt naval base near Petrograd also ____ in March 1921. Before this they had been amongst ______ strongest supporters.
Mutinied
Lenin’s
What did the sailors demand?(4)
- free elections
- press freedom
- end to requisitions and communist dictatorship
- abolition of martial law
Were the sailors efforts effective?
No, they were brutally crushed by Lenin.
What is martial law?
The police and army have more power than usual, they do not have to follow usual procedures
What is a Decree?
Laws made by a government without being passed by a parliament.
What is Freedom of assembly?
The right to hold public meetings to discuss political topics.
Why did Lenin realize War communism would need to be changed?(3)
- people were starving
- people had nowhere to live
- production on farms and factories has stopped
