Russia and the Soviet Union Flashcards
What was the treaty called that ended Russian participation in WWI?
Treaty of Brest Litovsk with Germany
What was Stalin’s role in SOVNARKOM?
Commissar of Nationalities
What was the biggest problem with the New Economic Policy?
It did not offer an answer to Russia’s long-term development.
Who were the ‘Reds’?
Bolshevik supporters
At what Party Congress number and in which year did Lenin push for the introduction of the New Economic Policy?
10th Party Congress in 1921
When Trotsky lost power, what happened to him?
He was expelled from Russia. Later assassinated
What was the man-made famine in the Ukraine is referred to as under collectivisation?
Holodomor
Innocent people were murdered in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. These are referred to as the what?
Purges
Give three examples of womens’ gains in the early years of Bolshevik rule
Civil, legal and electoral equality
Equality in marriage
Abortion was legalised
Women were involved in the Civil War as combatants
Bolshevik Women’s section was formed in 1920
Stalin demanded that artistic endeavour be mobilised to promote the efforts of the new Russia. Writers, artists, filmmakers and composers now had to work within the framework called what?
Socialist Realism
What was the NEP (New Economic Policy)?
Was put in place of war communism after civil war, it controlled foreign policy, trade, economy and defence.
By 1924, trade remained costly and inefficient and working conditions were declining.
Russian Civil War?
Began in early 1918, o Trotsky commanded better fed and ruthlessly disciplined (e.g. death penalty, conscription) Red Army.
Bolsheviks fought the Whites—liberals, monarchists, foreign powers , Czech Legion (ex POWs).
Britain, France and America fought to keep Germany from capturing supplies sent to Russia, and Japan wanted power in the east.
‘The civil war… increased the devastation of the country… bled the proletariat… further retarded the restoration of transport and industry…’
Lenin
What were the Five year plans?
Aimed to develop Russia into modern industrialized country.
Russia had to become self-sustaining.
The first plan failed and caused a drop in living standards and morale, food, housing and labour shortages. The next two 5 year plans were more successful, resulting in economic, industrial and military growth
What were Gulags?
Millions of purged Russians worked forced labour in Gulag labour camps, where about 12 million died.
Projects included building rails and canals, e.g. Belomor Canal, killed 100,000 workers over 20 months of work
What was the Propaganda and censorship like?
Stalin’s image was widely shown and promoted (had to be in every home) to portray him as powerful, omnipresent, kind, fair, etc.
Workers such as Stakhanov were used to motivate others
Who was Stakhanov?
Worker who was publicly honored and rewarded for. his hard work (102 tonnes coal in 6 hours). This was shared to encourage other workers.
When did Russia join the League of Nations?
They joined the League of Nations in 1934.
Stalin called it ‘the organisational centre for imperialist pacifism’.
What was signed in 1939?
Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact.
Hitler signed to avoid a war on two fronts and take Poland, Stalin signed to create a buffer between him and Germany and to allow Russia to avoid war and consolidate its power.
What did the the Munich conference convince Stalin of?
That the West would not stand up to Germany.
Stalin sought a British alliance against Germany. What was British response?
Britain refused at first, and later were very slow to negotiate.
W. Churchill: ‘I must confess to the most profound distrust of Russia.’
What were the Women’s rights like under Stalin’s reign?
Abortion was basically outlawed, child support benefits were increased, divorce became more difficult, and NKVD fined parents for unruly children
What was Education like under Stalin’s control?
There was an increased need for technical workers; leading to a stricter, more conservative method of education.
Students were forced into the Komsomol (Communist Youth League).
What was Social Realism?
Art was to be optimistic and heroic, teaching people the correct way to think and live. Many even tried to copy Stalin’s writing style. Socialist Realism presented Stalin as wise, powerful and selfless.
Who were the new elites?
The expanding of technical education and party members lost during purges of 1930s allowed young men to step up and rise through the ranks.
When was the November Coup and what occurred from it?
1917, Bolsheviks overthrew provisional government. Coup organized by Trotsky.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk date and purpose?
3 March 1918
Signed between Russia and Germany to end Russias participation in WW1
Caused Soviet to split into 3 factions.
Lost 30% of population, 50% industry, 90% coal mines.
1918 Three factions in Russias political state?
Bolsheviks (wanted peaces)
Left Communist (revolutionary war)
Mensheviks (wanted neither)
New Economic Policy (NEP)
War communism
NEP Replaced this: less harsh, small businesses could make profit.
Communist Ideals
Nature of the USSR under Stalin?
Dictatorship and Totalitarianism
Charismic leader heading a single party.
Party ideology:
(Stalin picture in every home)
Use of terror:
(1930 Purges and show trials pf 1936-38)
Party control of armed forces
Party use of Terror?
1930 Purges: (Executions, imprisonment, dismissal, deportation, forced labour)
Popular Political Rival murdered during purges
1.2 mill deaths during purges, 12 mill during Gulags
Role of ideology in Soviet foreign policy?
- Ideology gradually became less important. More focus on recovery and diplomatic relations, national interest alway prioritized.
- 1910s Calls for world revolutions
- 1920s, NEP condradicts socialist ideology for county recovery.
- 1930-40s: Great Depression fans the flames of revolution. Socialist goals lost in the need for security against Nazism
Gulags
- Millions of purged people were put into forced labour in these.
- 12 million dead
- Building rails and canals
