Political opposition 1917-1918

Question 1

Was Lenin’s promise to consider a coalition being fulfilled?

Answer 1

Barely.

Lenin only allowed left-wing SRs to join the Sovnarkom in December and made it clear the Bolsheviks were in charge.

Question 2

Lenin moved quickly to ensure Bolshevik control:

Answer 2

1. Propaganda campaign against political and class enemies (e.g. Bourgeoisie)
2. All anti-Bolshevik newspapers closed
3. Purge of the civil service
4. December 1917- Cheka set up
5. Leading members of other political parties e.g. Cadets, right-wing SRs and Mensheviks rounded up and imprisoned in December

Question 3

What was Lenin forced to allow?

Answer 3

Elections promised by the Provisional government.

Question 4

November 1917 Election

Answer 4

41.7 million voted.

SRs won most of the seats in the Constituent Assembly.

Question 5

Lenin’s reactions to the elections

Answer 5

He was angry and said they meant nothing.
His view was the Constituent Assemblymen;y was an example of bourgeois parliamentary democracy and the Bolshevik government represented a higher stage of democracy.

Question 6

The Constituent Assembly

Answer 6

Met 5th January 1918 but was dissolved later that day.

Question 7

Who were critical of Lenin’s actions of dissolving the Constituent Assmebly

Answer 7

Maxim Gorky

Rosa Luxemburg
=said Lenin’s actions had resulted in “The dictatorship of the Communist Party over the working classes.”