Lenin's use of terror Flashcards
3 enemies of the new Bolshevik state
The Kulaks
The Bourgeoisie
The Whites and ex-tsarists
What type of threat did the Bourgeoisie and Kulaks pose?
They were ideological and intellectual threats, seen as enemies of the Proletariat and ideologically incompatible with socialism.
What steps did the Bolsheviks take to suppress opposition in October 1917?
Banned opposition press
Ordered the arrest of Kadet, Menshevik, and SR leaders
What was the role of the Cheka in consolidating Bolshevik power?
Destroyed opponents through arrests, exiles, and executions
When was the Cheka established
1917
How was ‘class warfare’ used to consolidate power?
Bourgeois property was confiscated
Social privileges ended
Discriminatory taxes levied on the wealthy
When was the red terror
1918-22
What triggered the Red Terror in August 1918?
The attempted assassination of Lenin by Fanny Kaplan, which led to a crackdown on the bourgeoisie and assumed enemies.
What powers were given to the Cheka in September 1918?
Find, question, arrest, and destroy families of suspected traitors
How did the Red Terror escalate?
Local Cheka agents acted independently, targeting various groups such as:
Tsarist family
How many people were estimated to have died during the Red Terror
Between 500,000 and 1 million people
When was Lenin’s ban on factions
1921
What was the effect of Lenin’s ban on factions?
All party members had to accept central committee decisions
Debate and opposition became virtually impossible
