Conclusion Flashcards
What were problems Tsars and Communist leaders faced and would have been able to relate to?
- Malfunctioning economy
- Opposition from the intelligencia
- Minorities demanding nationality
- Social uncertainty
- Lower classes controlled by government.
The foundations and modernisation established during Alex II’s time eventually led to the USSR.
What were reasons for the demise for the autocracy in February 1917?
- In trying to create a western autocracy Alex II allowed opposition to emerge
- Drive for industrialisation in the 1890s
- War pressure
- Military who refused to follow orders
led to the demise of the autocracy in February 1917
By Autumn 1917 what were the new bolshevik leaders in a position to do
+ how did they get to this point, did it follow their original plan?
- Autumn 1917 Lenin, Trotsky and other Bolshevik leaders were in a position to create the reforms they wanted.
+ It happed in more in the form of a coup than a spontaneous proletariat uprising - outcome was the same in Bolshevik/Communist leadership
How was life under Lenin similar to that under Tsars?
+ What did this lead to?
Lenin quickly imposed control through the Cheka (vs Okhrana), removed press freedom and ruled by decree.
+ A civil war in which a strong central government was established backed by coercion
Was life under Stalin more or less extreme than under Lenin?
+ What are main aspects of Stalin’s rule?
More
- Though he helped improve the economy there was extreme political repression ‘Red Terror’ of the 1930’s. The war had been won but there was more rather than less terror.
What change did the fall of Stalinism bring?
+ What was clear by 1960 about socialism?
1953-1964 saw the fall of Stalinism and an attempt by revolutionaries to return to initial ideals.
+ By 1960 it was clear that pure Socialism was not v attainable. “The truly communist state was as remote in 1964 as it had been in 1917 or 1928”
What did the textbook say about the attainability of the communist state?
“The truly communist state was as remote in 1964 as it had been in 1917 or 1928”
How had leadership changed/remained similar from 1855-1964
Leadership from 1855-1964 had the same aims, economic strength and their own political control. These aims completed through various leaders at the expense of the people.
These people were only able to start benefiting from their sacrifices in the late 1960’s “the end seemed as remote as ever”
