Russia and the Soviet Union

Question 1

What was the treaty called that ended Russian participation in WWI?

Answer 1

Treaty of Brest Litovsk with Germany

Question 2

What was Stalin’s role in SOVNARKOM?

Answer 2

Commissar of Nationalities

Question 3

What was the biggest problem with the New Economic Policy?

Answer 3

It did not offer an answer to Russia’s long-term development.

Question 4

Who were the ‘Reds’?

Answer 4

Bolshevik supporters

Question 5

At what Party Congress number and in which year did Lenin push for the introduction of the New Economic Policy?

Answer 5

10th Party Congress in 1921

Question 6

When Trotsky lost power, what happened to him?

Answer 6

He was expelled from Russia. Later assassinated

Question 7

What was the man-made famine in the Ukraine is referred to as under collectivisation?

Answer 7

Holodomor

Question 8

Innocent people were murdered in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. These are referred to as the what?

Answer 8

Purges

Question 9

Give three examples of womens’ gains in the early years of Bolshevik rule

Answer 9

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

Question 10

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?

Answer 10

Socialist Realism

Question 11

What was the NEP (New Economic Policy)?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Russian Civil War?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

‘The civil war… increased the devastation of the country… bled the proletariat… further retarded the restoration of transport and industry…’

Answer 13

Lenin

Question 14

What were the Five year plans?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What were Gulags?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What was the Propaganda and censorship like?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Who was Stakhanov?

Answer 17

Worker who was publicly honored and rewarded for. his hard work (102 tonnes coal in 6 hours). This was shared to encourage other workers.

Question 18

When did Russia join the League of Nations?

Answer 18

They joined the League of Nations in 1934.

Stalin called it ‘the organisational centre for imperialist pacifism’.

Question 19

What was signed in 1939?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What did the the Munich conference convince Stalin of?

Answer 20

That the West would not stand up to Germany.

Question 21

Stalin sought a British alliance against Germany. What was British response?

Answer 21

Britain refused at first, and later were very slow to negotiate.

W. Churchill: ‘I must confess to the most profound distrust of Russia.’

Question 22

What were the Women’s rights like under Stalin’s reign?

Answer 22

Abortion was basically outlawed, child support benefits were increased, divorce became more difficult, and NKVD fined parents for unruly children

Question 23

What was Education like under Stalin’s control?

Answer 23

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).

Question 24

What was Social Realism?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Who were the new elites?

Answer 25

The expanding of technical education and party members lost during purges of 1930s allowed young men to step up and rise through the ranks.

Question 26

When was the November Coup and what occurred from it?

Answer 26

1917, Bolsheviks overthrew provisional government. Coup organized by Trotsky.

Question 27

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk date and purpose?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

1918 Three factions in Russias political state?

Answer 28

Bolsheviks (wanted peaces)

Left Communist (revolutionary war)

Mensheviks (wanted neither)

Question 29

New Economic Policy (NEP)

Answer 29

War communism

NEP Replaced this: less harsh, small businesses could make profit.

Communist Ideals

Question 30

Nature of the USSR under Stalin?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Party use of Terror?

Answer 31

1930 Purges: (Executions, imprisonment, dismissal, deportation, forced labour)

Popular Political Rival murdered during purges

1.2 mill deaths during purges, 12 mill during Gulags

Question 32

Role of ideology in Soviet foreign policy?

Answer 32

• 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

Question 33

Gulags

Answer 33

• Millions of purged people were put into forced labour in these.
• 12 million dead
• Building rails and canals