Russia: 1917 - 1928 Flashcards
How was Russia ruled before 1917?
By a Tsar or Tsarina as part of the Tsarist regime
Who was Lenin and what revolution did he lead?
Russian communist revolutionary, who was the head of Soviet Russia from 1917 - 1924. He led the October Revolution
Whose teachings did Lenin follow?
Karl Marx
What happened at the February Revolution 1917?
Demonstration in Petrograd where Tsar Nicholas II was abdicated and the Russian Republic was created
Where was Lenin exiled to after the February Revolution?
Siberia
When were the July Days and what happened?
3-7 July, where a series of anti-government campaigns were held in Petrograd.
When was the October Revolution?
25-26 October
What happened at the October Revolution?
Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized control of Petrograd and the Winter Palace. The new Bolshevik government is now in place.
What was the Decree of Land and Peace?
Introduced by the Bolsheviks, made an 8 hr working day, minimum wages, abolished the death penalty
When was the Russian Civil War?
1917-1922
How did Lenin ensure the Bolsheviks stayed in power?
Abolished the constituent assembly, abolished elections
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Signed in March 1918, ensured between Russia and central powers
What was the Red Army?
Armed workers and peasants who fought the Whites in the RWC.
Who won the RWC and why?
The Bolsheviks, as they were more organised and Trotsky made the Red Army an effective fighting machine
What was War Communism and when was it introduced?
1918, it was a new economic policy that ensured the army received food and supplies
What was the Red Terror?
Following an assassination attempt on Lenin, the Red Terror was launched using the Cheka
How many people died during the Red Terror?
750,000
When did Lenin die?
January 21st, 1924
Who were the 5 possible successors of Lenin?
Trotsky, Stalin, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin.
What was Petrograd changed to in honour of Lenin?
Leningrad
What did Stalin do to Trotsky at Lenin’s funeral?
Made him miss it, and made himself the chief mourner
What did Lenin’s testament say about the 5 successors?
Criticised everyone except Bukharin and Trotsky
Why did no one see Stalin as a threat?
He was seen as a grey blur and background character
What are Stalin’s Minions?
His strong power base
What happened to Zinoviev, Kamenev and Trotsky in 1926?
They tried to fight Stalin but are called ‘factionalists’ and thrown out of the party
When did Stalin come into power, and what happened while he was in power?
1928, ruled for 25 years, where he killed 11-20 million in that time
