Bolshevik Consolidation of Power.2 ... Flashcards
the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Civil War and the introduction of the New Economic Policy
Formal negotiations with Central Powers
22 December
* Germany sought to weaken Russia through negotations (threat of an industrialised Russia) (Treaty lost 54% of industrial centres)
* Sovnarkom tried to prolong war and provide opportunity for revolution to break out in Austria-Hungary or Germany.
* During this period, troops continued to advance through Russian territory.
Debate in negotiations
Key figures:
* Vladmir Lenin
* Nikolai Bukharin
* Leon Trotsky
Initial Stances:
* T + B: resistant to immediate resolution. Allow for more time for revolution in Germany. Want to bide time, see how 1918 pans out (U.S. could win against Germany).
* T: “neither war nor peace” - the deciding vote
* L: swift withdrawal to fulfil promise of peace (Decree on Peace 26 Oct 1917), danger of counter revolution.
Result:
* T sides with L: Russia did not have the resources to continue.
* He still argued for a length negotiation for a change of circumstances and potential reduction of terms. However, this angered German officials, who continued their military advancement, into Ukraine.
* Therefore, Lenin sent a cable agreeing to peace (19 Feb 1918)
Official Treaty
3 March 1918: Lost 1/3 of European Russia
* Lost 34% of total population (45 million people)
* 32% of arable land (Ukraine)
* 54% of industrial centres
* 3 billion roubles in gold as compensation
Results of the Treaty
Military advanced into Ukraine March 1918 → harsher terms
Trotsky resigned as Commissar of Foreign Affairs, refused to sign the Treaty → damaged his image, criticised for draining resources attempting to prolong negotiations.
Treaty of Versaille (28 June 1919): declared the Treaty null (Article 292)
Many opposed the Treaty:
* Did not want to break alliance with Britian and France
* Destructive to Russia’s status
→ Allowed the young government to exist the unpopular war, but facilitated a new and equally difficutl struggle within Russia for control over the former empire.
Opposition groups to the Bolsheviks
Monarchists: They supported the tsar and the old Russian empire, with its hierarchy and familiar social, political lifestyle and class.
Social Revolutionaries: They wanted reform for peasants and moderate socialists: land reform and plitical control with the people that was aided by their strong representation in the Prov Govt (Alexander Kerensky) and Constituent Assembly (now dissolved)
Mensheviks: They wanted a less radical progression to communim—cooperation with bourgeoise to generate capital necessary for a socialist state.
Groups in the Civil War
Reds: Bolsheviks
Whites: Anti-Bolsheviks
