Bolshevik Consolidation of Power Flashcards
What are the 6 stages of Marxist Theory?
1.Primitive Communism
2.Slave Society
3.Feudalism
4.Capitalism
5.Socialism
6.Advanced Communism
At what stage is Russia at during the 19th and early 20th century?
In between stage 3 and 4 as they are not fully capitalist yet
What did Lenin push for after fleeing to Finland?
An armed insurrection but the rest of the party were unsure
When was the secret meeting of the Bolshevik Central Committee to discuss the insurrection?
10th October 1917
What were the results of the vote for the insurrection?
10:2 with Trotsky abstaining and Zinoviev and Kamanev voting against it
When and what did Kamanev publish in 1917?
18th October 1917 - concerns of the Bolsheviks insurrection warning the PG of its existence
What were the results of Kamanev’s publishings?
The Soviet Congress delayed its meeting from the 20th October to the 25th October
What was the Military Revolutionary Committee?
The military groups created by the Bolsheviks
When did the MRC proclaim to be the head of the Petrograd garrison?
21st October 1917
When was the Peter and Paul Fortress captured by the Bolsheviks?
23rd October 1917
What did the Bolsheviks achieve on the 24th October 1917?
The Red Guard took over GV blockades and captured police stations, railways, post and telegram stations and electricity stations
Why did Lenin decide to take matters into his own hands?
By 10pm on 24th October the Central Committee still did not start the insurrection after constant telegrams
Where did Lenin travel to and from to start the insurrection?
Finland to the Smolny Institute
When did the insurrection start and end?
24th October night to 26th October morning
How did Kerensky try and defend the PG?
He called for soldiers and then fled
When did the Winter Palace surrender?
2am on 26th October 1917
Was the insurrection bloody and a struggle?
According to Bolshevik propaganda it was but in fact they just arrested the people and there was no struggle
When was the new government announced?
5am on 26th October 1917
What was hypocritical about Lenin stating he wanted to all power to the Soviets?
He didn’t exercise power through the PS
What was the new body Lenin created to exercise power through?
Sovnarkom or The Council of People’s Commission
Did people have faith in the new GV?
No, Chernov gave it a few days and Tsaralteli gave it 3 weeks
Was the new GV strong?
No, Mensheviks and SRs were still in control of many soviets
Were many political people fond of the new GV?
No, civil servants created strikes and the State Bank refused to hand over money until armed force was used
What important 3 decrees did Sovnarkom pass?
Land Decree
Workers Control Decree
Rights of the People of Russia Decree
What were some early changes Sovnarkom made?
8 hour working day
Social insurance to be introduced
Opposition press banned
What did Sovnarkom achieve in November 1917?
Abolition of class distinction and titles
Workers controlled factories
Abolition of justice system
Women declared equal to men
What did Sovnarkom achieve in December 1917?
Secret police (Cheka) was set up
Banks nationalised
Democratisation of the army
Church land nationalised
What did Sovnarkom achieve in January 1918?
Workers control railways
Creation of Red Army
Church and state separated
What did Sovnarkom achieve in February 1918?
Nationalisation of industry
Socialisation of land