Background to the Bolshevik Revolution and Lenin's State Flashcards
Between which years did Tsar Nicholas II reign?
1984 until 1917
In 1900 who were the two main opposition parties to the Tsar?
The Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) and the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs)
What was the 1905 Revolution?
A series of revolts which attempted to overthrow the Tsarist regime. They were nearly successful but ultimately failed.
What was the February Revolution?
An uprising in Petrograd in 1917. The people overthrew the Tsar and set up a Provisional Government.
Which party was Lenin a member of during the time of the February Revolution?
The RSDLP
When did Lenin return from exile?
April 1917
What policies did Lenin say needed to be introduced?
The immediate end of World War One and redistribution of land.
What was Lenin’s slogan in 1917?
Peace, Land and Bread.
Why did Lenin’s ideas become popular in the wake of the February Revolution?
The continued war meant that the economy crashed and people became increasingly dissatisfied.
Who did Lenin seize power on behalf of?
The soviets
What were the soviets?
Small democratic councils that had emerged under the Provisional Government.
When was the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?
June 1917
What was Lenin’s opinion on the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?
That it should form the basis of a new governmental system.
Why was the Sovnarkom introduced?
Because the All-Russian Congress of Soviets was too big to govern effectively.
Who elected the Sovnarkom?
The All-Russian Congress of Soviets
How many people were in the first Sovnarkom?
13
What title was given to members of the Sovnarkom?
People’s Commissar
Who was elected chair of the Sovnarkom?
Lenin
Which position did Trotsky have in the first Sovnarkom?
People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs
Which position did Stalin have in the first Sovnarkom?
People’s Commissar for Nationality Affairs
Which two decrees featured in Lenin’s first speech to the All Russian Congress of Soviets?
The Decree on Land and the Decree of Peace
What did the Decree on Land introduce?
The right for peasants to seize land from the bourgeoisie and the Church.
What did the Decree of Peace do?
Bring an end to Russia’s involvement in World War One
When were the Workers’ Decrees introduced? What did they do?
November 1917. They established an 8 hour working day and a minimum wage.
When was the Decree of Workers’ Control introduced? What did it introduce?
April 1918. It allowed workers to elect committees to run factories on their behalf.
How did Lenin’s early policies allow him to establish control?
They won over the workers, peasants and soldiers and gave the government “breathing space” to resolve the economic crisis and construct the new government.
Why was the Sovnarkom weak at first?
The October revolution took place exclusively in Petrograd and Russia is a vast country.
Why was Lenin’s new system of government met with enthusiasm?
- The Sovnarkom was accountable to the All Russian Congress of Soviets meaning that it didn’t have absolute power
- There were hopes that a coalition government could be formed
- The workers were happy with the reforms they had seen
What was the election in November 1917 for?
The Constituent Assembly
When did the Constituent Assembly first meet?
January 1918
Why did Lenin close down the Constituent Assembly?
The Bolsheviks were in minority
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The treaty signed by Lenin with the Central Powers in order to end Russia’s involvement in the war.
When was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed?
March 1918
Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk contoversial?
As part of the treaty, Lenin signed away large parts of Russian territory to the Central Powers.
What was the consequence of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The Bolsheviks lost the soviet elections in 1918.
How did Lenin respond to losing the 1918 elections?
He nullified the result and removed the SRs and the Mensheviks from all soviets.
