R2.1 Consolidation of Bolshevik Dictatorship Flashcards
What examples were the Bolsheviks successful in consolidating power after the October November revolution?
-1918 Constituion and Sovnarkom
-Decree’s that removed opposition
-Support from workers and peasants
What examples were the Bolsheviks UNsuccessful in consolidating power after the October November revolution?
-Undemocratic removal of constituent assmebly jan 1918
-Treaty of Brest-Litovsk March 1918
-Tensions between Lenin and Trotsky
What points suggest that Russia was a democracy by July 1918?
-Proletariat received the vote (weighted 5-1 vs. peasants)
-Sovnarkom officials were elected (Though by the congress)
What points suggest that Russia was moderately a democracy by July 1918?
-Constituent assembly was held on 5th Jane 1918
-However this Constituent assembly was removed in Jan
What points suggest Russia wasn’t a democracy by July 1918?
-Sovnarkom made up of Bolsheviks
-Bourgeoise lost right to vote July 1918
-Decree on Press October 1917
What points suggest the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk created tensions in the Bolshevik party?
-Lenin and Trotsky disagreed about ending involvement ww1
-Created a divide: Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Zinoviev vs. Bukharin and Dzerzhinksy
What points suggest that not the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk created tensions in the Bolshevik party but rather it was other factors?
-Personal ambitions of individuals, such as Bukharin wanting to be a leader of a revolutionary war group
-Members didn’t agree with military seizure of power
Who benefitted from the One-Party State?
-Proletariats
-Bolsheviks
-Peasant
-Military
Who didn’t benefit from the One-Party state?
-Other political parties, especially SRs
-Clergy
-Bourgeoisie
What are Decrees?
They’re official orders issued by head of state that have force of law, Lenin issued a series of these to fulfil earlier promises
What was the Constituent assembly?
A body of elected representatives who assembled with the purpose of drawing up a new constitution, whilst Prov Gov promised to hold elections for this, they continuously avoided it
What were societal themes in this time period?
Proletariat were lead to believe that Bolsheviks were the popular party:
-Ended involvement in ww1, pleasing much of the public
-1918 constitution suggest Bolsheviks were democratic
-Proletariat and Peasants favoured by party
-Decree’s favoured workers, peasants and women, reduce rights of bourgeoisie
What were economic themes in this time period?
Ended the involvement in ww1, meaning harsh consequences for Russia
-Trotsky negotiated treaty, 3rd March 1918, Russia was to pay 3bil Roubles in war reparations, and lost 2 million sq.km of land, 75% of iron and coal supplies (Lenin called robber peace)
Decrees nationalised industry and abolished land ownership: moved towards nationalisation
What were political themes in this time period?
From Nov 1917 to July 1918 political aim of Bolshevik party to create stable, strong one-party state
-Removed constituent assembly in Jan 1918 meaning SRs and other parties couldn’t threaten
-1918 constitution gave supreme power to all-russian congress of soviets and elected a sovnarkom. Consitution had elements of democracy but in reality were limitations on ability and fairness in voting
What were military themes in this time period?
Bolsheviks increased their own power by making their military support more professional:
-A red army of workers and peasants was formed to replace the red guards in Jan 1918, with Trotsky placed in Charge March 1918
