AS FP2 : Economic and social developments ; The Red Terror

Question 1

Conceptual Awareness

What was the long-term cause for the Red Terror?

Answer 1

Lenin needed a much broader base of support in order to enable his economic and social system to work properly ; Lenin and many other Bolsheviks were unapologetic about using extreme force to enforce their policies since they believed they knew what was best for the country.

Question 2

Conceptual Awareness

What was the short-term cause (the excuse) for the red terror?

Answer 2

Lenin was wounded in an assasination attempt by a SR on the 30th August 1918.

Question 3

What was the aim of the red terror?

Answer 3

Parly aimed at political enemies, the Cheka rounded up remaining SRs and Mensheviks (and anybody else considered a possible threat and executed them)

Question 4

What were the official estimates for the number of people murdered by the Cheka during the terror vs popular belief?

Answer 4

Between 1918 and 1920
Official estimates : 13,000
Real figure : 500,00

Question 5

Were the victims of the Red Terror’s class warfare strictly bourgeoisie?

Answer 5

No, the victims came from all levels of society - workers and peasants, elderly and children - there seemed to have been an overall policy of using “arbitary terror simply as ameans of frightening all sections of society into complaince with the Regime”. (R + W)

Question 6

Why was the Red Terror used?

Answer 6

To consolidate the regime and its policies.