Chapter 14-The Communist dictatorship Flashcards
What were the early decrees of the Bolshevik state?
In October 1917 a maximum 8 hour day was imposed and social insurance provided old age, health and unemployment benefits. There was a ban on opposition press and a decree on peace and land. In November 1917 the Rights of the People of Russia Decree gave self-determination to minorities. Workers were allowed to control factories, women were given equality with men and could own properties and title and class ranks were removed. In December 1917 the Cheka was established and banks were nationalised. Marriage and divorce was taken out of the hands of the church and Church land was nationalised. In February 1918 there was the nationalisation of industry and the socialisation of land.
What was the 1918 Constitution?
It was proclaimed in July 1918 and said that supreme power was in the All-Russian Congress of Soviets and the central executive committee of this was the supreme organ of power, acting like a President. The congress was also made responsible for electing the Sovnarkom.
What were the limitations of the 1918 Constitution?
The vote was reserved for the toiling masses and businessmen, clergy and tsarist officials were excluded from voting. In the election the workers’ vote was weighted 5:1 against the peasants. The Sovnarkom was appointed by the Bolsheviks and the main authority remained here as the congress only met at intervals. The structure was centrlised and the main power was the Bolshevik’s.
Why did the Russian Civil War happen?
People who were angry at the Treaty of Brest Litovsk merged with political opposition and became the ‘whites’. They opposed Communism and were supported by Britain, France and the USA. By 1918, an anti-Bolshevik volunteer army had been formed. The Czechoslovakia ‘Army of Liberation’ travelled eastwards through Siberia and some Bolshevik officials tried to arrest some of the soldiers and fighting broke out. With this, they abandoned their plans to go to fight Germany and went towards Moscow to fight the reds.
What were the reasons for the Bolshevik victory?
The Reds commanded the hub of communications, factories and densely populated regions, meaning they were a strong army. The Reds had a unified structure whereas the White generals operated independently and fought for different things. The Red army also was well disciplined under Trotsky whereas the Whites had few competent commanders. The Reds had more support than the Whites for their policies and the hostility to foreign involvement gave the reds a propaganda platform.
What was the impact of the Russian civil war on the government?
The Civil War brought greater centralisation and Party control. The structure was based on annual congresses elected by the mass and in 1919 the Politburo was created and became the centre for Party policy. The sovnarkom met less frequently but local soviets could only consist of Party members. Lenin introduced a ban on factions in 1921, making it hard to criticise Lenin. Furthermore, a new post of General Secretary was created and it was filled by Stalin. The Nomenklatura system meant that people in key positions had to be trustworthy and ensured the party had control.
What was the impact of the Civil War on the national minorities?
The communist government abandoned earlier support for self determination and in 1922 the demands from Georgia for greater independence were brutally crushed. The constitution was changed and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was established.
What was the political structure of the Communist State?
Lenin ruled with one party and centralised control. Party Congresses began being called less frequently as he was concerned that the party would go against him. Party congresses were not called at all between 1939 and 1952. Stalin was General Secretary and so controlled the apparat and controlled most important positions.
How did Lenin’s party expand?
‘Lenin enrolment’ took place in commemoration of Lenin’s death and the Party almost doubled in members. Further extensions increased members from 1,6667,910 in 1930 to 3,555,338 in 1933. Most members were drawn from the younger and less educated urban workers who were concerned with their own careers.
What was the 1936 constitution?
It proclaimed Russia to be a federation of 11 Soviet Republics. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets was replaced by a Supreme Soviet, made up of the Soviet of the Union and Nationalities. It promised local autonomy to ethnic groups and support for national cultures and languages. It promised 4 yearly elections.
What were the issues of the Constitution?
It acknowledged the right of any union republic to leave the union but when leaders in Georgia planned secession, they were purged. Furthermore, elections were only affirming a choice of representation. The Supreme Soviet only met a twice a year and it didn’t decide on any policies.
What was Stalin’s cult of personality?
Stalin developed his own cult and promoted an image of himself to inspire confidence. He was portrayed as Lenin’s true disciple and posters glorified Stalin as the mighty leader. The History of the All-Union Communist Party was published as the main textbook and photographs were doctored to remove Stalin’s enemies.
