After the October Revolution

Question 1

The extent of the October Revolution

Answer 1

Small-scale: 25,000-30,000 (5% of Workers)
No more than 5 deaths
Robert Service: Heading for socialism anyway
Lenin ensured Bolshevik Socialism

Question 2

What dissent was voiced at the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?

Answer 2

Zinoviev + Kamenev spoke against ‘coup’
Menshevik leader predicted Lenin would not last 3 weeks
Right SRs accused Lenin of seizing power illegally

Question 3

What were the key features in the formation of Sovnarkom?

Answer 3

Majority of seats went to Bolsheviks
Mensheviks + Right SRs walked out: 'Dustbin of history'
          - Played into Bolshevik hands
Ruled by decree and undermined Soviet
Allowed 7 Left SRs to join in November

Question 4

How did the Bolsheviks deal with the Civil Servants and bankers who initially refused to accept their authority?

Answer 4

Purge of the Civil Service

Gold reserves received in 10 days after the threat of armed intervention

Question 5

Events October 29th - November 5th

Answer 5

Oct 29: Army cadet rising in Petrograd
Railway Unions refused to work for Bolsheviks
Oct 31: Baku + 17 provincial capitals under Soviet control
Nov 2: Kerensky’s opposition forces defeated
Finland and Ukraine declare right to own affairs
Nov 3: Kremlin captured, ending 10 days of fighting
Lenin issued ultimatum: resignations
Nov 5: Lenin proclaimed the victory of the revolution
Dominated towns + railways by end of 1917

Question 6

Bolshevik decrees in October

Answer 6

Workers’ decree: 8 hour day

Social Insurance decree: Old age, health + unemployment

Decree on Peace: ‘without annexations or indemnities’

Decree on Land: legitimised land seizures

Question 7

Bolshevik decrees in November

Answer 7

Rights of the Peoples of Russia Decree: abolished ranks + titles

Nationality decree: self determination for non-Russian nations

Decree on Workers’ Control of Factories

Judicial Decree: new legal system

Decree to outlaw sex discrimination

Question 8

Bolshevik decrees in December

Answer 8

Establishment of Cheka and Veshenka

Bank decree: nationalised banks

Military decree: removed ranks

Decrees on the Church: nationalised church land
marriage and divorce made civil matters
gave women right to initiate divorce

Question 9

What steps were taken to combat opposition in the early months?

Answer 9

Propaganda campaign against political + class enemies
Anti-Bolshevik newspapers suppressed
Cheka established and opposition leaders arrested in December
Purge of the Civil Service