Bolshevik gain of power Flashcards
1
Q
Why was the nature of the PG a weakness?
A
- It was not a truly elected body and did represent the people of Russia.
- It was a temporary body that could not make binding decisions for the long-term future of Russia.
- Its power was limited because of the Petrograd Soviet, who all policies had to be run through (Order No.1). The PS had the support of the workers and soldiers, and it was the lack of military support for the PG in November that allowed the Bolsheviks to seize power.
2
Q
why were the PG’s policies a weakness?
A
- The PG’s failure to legitimise the peasant take-over of land created resentment amongst the peasants, who were less willing to supply food to the cities. As peasants were ignoring the PG’s ruling and taking control of their land, many soldiers did not want to miss out, so desertions increased in the army.
- The PG did not try to combat the deterioration of the economy: together with the lack of social reform this led to the radicalisation of the workers.
- The PG’s decision to keep fighting the war, despite an impatient demand for its end, significantly diminished its authority.
3
Q
give stats on Kerensky’s offensive
A
Kerensky launched a disastrous offensive in July 1917, resulting in the death, capture or injury of over 400,000 soldiers.
4
Q
describe the July Days
A
- Provoked by the failing war effort, many Russian people protested in the streets of Petrograd against the PG in July 1917.
- Around 700 were killed by soldiers and many more were imprisoned.
- Order was restored by Kerensky, who was able to move loyal troops to squash the rebels. The protest did not succeed because PG still had some military support.
5
Q
describe the April Thesis and Lenin’s ideas
A
- no co-operation with the PG
- end of war with Germany
- land should be given to the peasants
- the Soviets should take power
By listing these ideas, Lenin demonstrated that the needs of working people were at the heart of the Bolsheviks aims and policies. The Bolsheviks developed slogans of ‘peace, bread and land,’ promising exactly what the people wanted.
Lenin convinced the Bolsheviks to support the end of the end of the war, unlike the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries. This appealed to the desires or ordinary people so increased support for the party.
6
Q
describe the Kornilov Revolt
A
- In September 1917, General Kornilov threatened to seize power in Petrograd and intended to set up a military dictatorship.
- Kerensky realised that he did not have enough military support to defeat Kornilov’s fierce Cossacks, so asked the Bolsheviks, who had secretly been training, for assistance.
- The battle never happened because railway workers stopped the trains carrying Kornilov’s troops and the Red Guards persuaded many of Kornilov’s troops to desert.
- Although the coup failed, Kerensky’s government looked weak and incompetent.
- The Bolsheviks were now brought back into Petrograd and could claim to be its defenders. (although the Bolsheviks were still not strong or popular enough to replace the government without force).
7
Q
ideological and geographical division in the whites forces
A
- No unified goal or coordination.
- The whites were only united because of their visceral hatred of the Bolsheviks rather than because they shared political beliefs, resulting in a divided force; Mensheviks and Royalists were fighting on the same side. These ideological differences created a lack of trust between the whites which made it hard to coordinated attacks and develop a political strategy.
- The whites effectively had four leaders that were geographically divided and all competing for power. For example, Deniken and Wrangel were concentrated in the south, Kolchak in the north-east and Yudenich in the west, which caused various white armies to fight independently.
- This division in the white army made it easy for Trotsky to target and crush their separate attacks, thus causing the Red’s victory.
8
Q
Trotsky’s creation of the red army
A
- Decision to recruit ex-Tsarist officers who were well trained: he blackmailed or bribed 22 000 experienced Tsarist officers to join the Red Army.
- He ordered harsh discipline on his soldiers to ensure effectiveness; displays of cowardice, desertion and disobedience were treated by immediate execution. Trotsky ended up creating an effective force of 5 million men.
- Trotsky used the Cheka to ensure obedience within his army and, in some cases, threatened families if soldiers showed signs of disloyalty.
9
Q
foreign intervention
A
- The Allies’ desire to protect Russian Autocracy was not strong enough to keep Western powers committed to the whites.
- Although Britain wanted to oppose communism, she also feared creating a strong Russia that could threaten her imperial possessions in Asia, so her support was half-hearted.
- Despite supplying the whites with equipment, the allies could not effectively distribute these resources which decreased morale and increased desertions amongst soldiers.
- Most importantly, foreign intervention was a propaganda coup for the Reds as they could portray the whites as traitors who were not loyal to Russia.
10
Q
war communism
A
- Lenin’s severe policy of war communism supplied the Red Army with all necessities.
- The forced requisition of grain allowed the Bolsheviks to give the largest proportion of food to the Red Army, even at the expense of many Russian people; in early 1918, Petrograd workers were only allocated 50g of bread a day.
- The ruthless discipline amongst industrial workers ensured that the army was supplied with the necessary equipment for victory.
11
Q
what did the NEP state?
A
- Peasants could sell some of their surplus grain for profit.
- Peasants who increased their food production would pay less tax.
- Factories with less than 20 workers would be returned to their owners who could produce and sell for profit.
- People could use money again and a new rouble was introduced.
- However, key industries, such as coal and steel, still remained under state control.
12
Q
what were the positive achievements of NEP?
A
- Agricultural output increased: grain production almost doubled from 1921 to 1928.
- Industrial output increased: electricity increased by 10 times from 1921 to 1928. Total factory output rose by almost 200% from 1920 to 1923.
- Despite compromising their beliefs, the Communists remain in power. They made economic concessions to avoid making political ones; it was a tactical retreat.
- Foreign countries saw the NEP as a move towards capitalism, so it encouraged trade and thus boosted the soviet economy.
- Showed that a mixture of capitalist agriculture and state-controlled industry could cause economic growth.
13
Q
what were the weaknesses/ drawbacks of NEP?
A
- Even though Lenin made economic concessions, this came alongside political repression, which caused social suffering.
- Economic growth slackened after 1926 and communism would not succeed without industrialisation.
- Biggest drawback is that NEP was essentially a reversion to capitalism, even if it was only temporary, which was regarded as a betrayal by many.
- Although peasants were allowed to buy goods, their backwards farming methods meant that many could not afford them. Therefore, this freedom had limited significance.
- Unemployment still remained a key problem and was associated with high crime rates.
14
Q
Trotsky’s character and inspirational leadership:
A
- Trotsky raised the morale of his soldiers by living almost permanently on an armoured train, travelling to different fronts and delivering speeches to the Red Army. In addition, Trotsky distributed propaganda within ranks of the army as a constant reminder of their importance to the revolution and the consequences if they should fail.
- Overall, Trotsky skilfully balanced maintaining discipline and increasing morale in the Red Army to create a determined and effective fighting force.
