Change and Continuity: New Decrees

Question 1

Decree on Land

Answer 1

1) 27 October 1917
2) Gave peasants the legal right to seize land
3) Peasants had already been seizing land, but the decree gave the impression that the Bolsheviks supported them. In reality, they had no possible way of stopping them

Question 2

Decree of the 8-hour day

Answer 2

1) 29 October 1917
2) Addressed demands from the workers for a basic labour right

Question 3

Decree on Workers’ Control

Answer 3

1) 14 November 1917
2) Gave workers control over the factories without actually letting them take over

Question 4

Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia

Answer 4

1) 2 November 1917
2) Affirmed the right of ethnic minorities to self determination

Question 5

Decree on Red Terror

Answer 5

1) 2 September 1918
2) Allowed for the CHEKA to legally kill enemies of the revolution

Question 6

Decrees on the rights of women

Answer 6

1) December 1917
2) Regarding marriage, divorce and abortion

Question 7

How many decrees were issued?

Answer 7

116 decrees

Question 8

John Rees - Action of the Bolsheviks

Answer 8

‘the only people in Russia who had a
definite program of action’

Question 9

Decree on Party Unity (3)

Answer 9

1) Issued at the Tenth Party Congress (8-16 March 1921)
2) Banned factionalism within the party
3) Came at a time of chaos, promoted unity (Kronstadt Revolt, peasant rebellions)