Dissolution of CA Flashcards
What were the unfavourable election results that influenced Bolshevik actions on the CA?
Bol 9.8mil votes and 175 seats
< SR’s 17.5 mil votes and 370 seats. SR’s more popular bc greater peasant base.. hw/ Bol’s still gained most votes in cities and towns..
What actions did the Bolsheviks take to further remove opposition in the election and what happened that further legitimised them?
(decree on pol parties) + more
28th Nov: The Kadets targeted bc 2nd most popular in cities & represent B… Decree on Political Parties banning all non-socialist parties,
12th Dec: Left SR’s join sovnarkom… further legitimise the new regime.
How did the Bolsheviks justify dissolving the CA?
Bc most Bol votes from cities Lenin believe this legitimise the party as “vanguard of prole”, and that rural areas were unaware of split in SR’s so truth of people not explicit,
declaring to the assembly “the toiling masses have become convinced… [voting] is completely incompatible with socialism”. Believed as the rev ideal was to bring power to the Soviets… must follow Soviet and not election results.
Events of dissolution on CA (use of violence!)
5th Jan 1918: Martial law in P’grad, Sovnarkom issue ban on large public gatherings, pro-Bol troops brought into city… tension… protest march in favour of CA dispersed by machine gun fire bc “ enemies of the people “.
What happens at CA meeting?
First session of CA begin: Bolshevik Declaration of the Rights of Exploited people read by Sverdlov calling for CA to recognise all decrees made by Sovnarkom… general disapproval from other pol parties.
6th Jan: When delegates arrive, find Tauride palace locked and guarded by Bol troops w declaration saying CA had dissolved.
