Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1941 Flashcards
When did Bolshevism rise to power?
1917
What is Bolshevism based on?
Marxism
Bolshevism believed Russia could skip a capitalist state and move straight to communism. What is this called?
Top Down
What is the opposite of top down?
A state going through capitalism to then get to communism. Working through all stages
Who led the Bolsheviks?
Lenin
What did the October Revolution achieve?
What did Lenin’s peace treaty with Germany do?
-Stop Russia’s activity in WWI against Germany
-Enabled consolidation of Bolsheviks
Who were the Mensheviks?
The opposing side of the Bolsheviks
Mensheviks was also based on…
Marxism
Did Mensheviks believe in a top down or bottom up state?
Bottom Up
- Capitalist state before communism
What does NEP stand for?
New Economic Policy
When was NEP introduced?
March 1921
Why was the NEP introduced?
Because the first attempt to introduce communism into the context of Civil War failed
- economic production dropped + millions dead from starvation
The NEP had aspects of what in it?
Capitalism
- reluctantly introduce by Lenin
What were the aspects of the NEP?
- small businesses were able to operate again (state still controlled major industries)
- traders opened business for profit
- growing class of people became wealthy
- had to pay certain amount of production grain - could sell excess for profit
- introduced incentive back into system
The NEP created a two-tier system. A growing disparity was forming between two groups, what were those groups?
Industrial workers - did not benefit from NEP
Farmers and traders - benefited from NEP
When did Lenin die?
1924
When Lenin died, who became the people next in line for potential leaders?
The Politburo
What was the Politburo
The highest policy-making authority within the communist party
What challenges did Stalin face as he started to lead the USSR?
- Western powers….
Western powers would crush them if they could not build a modern army
What challenges did Stalin face as he started to lead the USSR?
- Agriculture
Sell agriculture surplus overseas for foreign currency to buy machinery
What challenges did Stalin face as he started to lead the USSR?
- Propaganda and Nationalism
Use propaganda and nationalism to provide incentive, educate children, have rewards for hard efforts and work, and fear to work hard and produce more when there is not profit motive
What challenges did Stalin face as he started to lead the USSR?
- resistors
Resistors were put into prison, exiled, sent to labour camps
What challenges did Stalin face as he started to lead the USSR?
- Support networks etc…
Alternative sources of leadership/influence/guidance - break support networks down until there’s only one left
Scissors crisis:
What was it?
Caused by the NEP.
Drastic separation between the increase of grain production and decrease of agricultural prices.