Lenin - Society

Question 1

The classless society

Answer 1

-abolition of class hierarchy november 1917
-former nobility and bourgeoisie not allowed to work
-ration allocations during civil war depended on work value, burzhui barely received enough to survive on

Question 2

The proletariat

Answer 2

-labour discipline tightened
-internal passports in civil war to stop workers leaving
-1921, workers could be shot/imprisoned for failing to meet targets, unions used to control workers

Question 3

Women

Answer 3

-nov 1917, able to own property + no sex discrimination
-divorce made easier and less expensive
-abortion legalised, free contraceptive advice given
-women expected to work and do household jobs
-girls given same education rights as boys

Question 4

Education

Answer 4

-free education at all levels in coeducational schools
-gimnazii abolished, replaced by new secondary schools
-1920s, most schools abandoned textbooks and exams
-freedom,creativity allowed and no physical punishment

Question 5

Youth groups

Answer 5

-russian young communist league founded 1918
-for ages 14-21, became youth division of communists
-lenin’s wife established junior section in 1922, 10+

Question 6

Religion

Answer 6

-church lands seized in 1917
-church schools and seminaries taken over by state
-official separation of church and state 1918
-teaching of religion in schools banned 1921
-hundreds of priests died during war communism

Question 7

National minorities

Answer 7

-had promised self determination, given november 1917
-finland became independent dec 1917
-ukraine given elected rada 1917

Question 8

Propaganda

Answer 8

-posters films art used to convert people to socialism
-used heavily in civil war

Question 9

Cultural change

Answer 9

-freedom of expression encouraged
-no counter revolutionary works allowed
-led to silver age of russian literature and poetry