The Collapse Of The Autocracy 1894-1917

Question 1

What were Tsar Nicholas’ intentions when he came to power in 1894?

Answer 1

Little interest in politics (tutored by Pobedonostev) but:

His god given right to rule

Maintain the autocracy

Continue Russification

Suppress demands for reform

Question 2

What unrest followed after 1894?

Answer 2

Failure to deal with 1891-2 famine led to increased support for reform

Outbreaks of trouble at universities - crushed by the Okhrana

1902-1907 - widespread disturbances in towns and countryside - fiercely suppressed by Stolypin

Industrial strikes increased in number and severity in towns

1904 Father Gapon formed ‘officially approved’ trade union - Assembly of St Petersburg Factory Workers- to process grievances

Defeats during Russo- Japanese war - Plehve (Minister for internal affairs) assassinated in July 1904

Renewed demands for National assembly Duma. Nov 1904 new minister for internal affairs, Mirsky, agreed to invite Zemstvo reps to discussions on St Petersburg.

Nicholas refused to allow representative government- only expansion of Zemstva’s rights

Question 3

What was the timeline of events in the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 3

1904 Dec - Russians surrender Port Arthur to Japanese

1905 Jan - strike begins at Putilov Iron works

Jan- Bloody Sunday - Father Gapon (Russian Orthodox priest) led peaceful March to Winter Palace to ask for reform. Demonstration broken by military force - hundreds killed or wounded

Feb - Grand Duke Sergei assassinated - Nicholas promises elective consultative assembly

March-May - Many illegal trade unions formed

June - Mutiny on battleship Potemkin

Aug - Treaty of Portsmouth ended Russo -Japanese war

Sep- Zemstva conference demanded a Duma elected by universal suffrage (everyone can vote)

Strikes in Moscow

Oct- A Soviet (workers council) set up in St Petersburg directing general strike

Tsar signed October manifesto promising a constitution, civil rights and a state Duma (representative assembly) with power to approve laws

General strike called off

Oct-Dec - Strikes and peasant unrest repressed - leaders of St Petersburg Soviet exiled to Siberia

Dec Moscow revolt crushed. Peasant unrest continued

Question 4

What were the new constitutional arrangements following the October manifesto 1905?

Answer 4

LOWER CHAMBER (STATE DUMA)

Deputies elected through indirect voting (weighted in favour of nobility and peasants)

Deputies elected for 5 year term

UPPER CHAMBER (STATE COUNCIL)

Deputies half elected by Zemstva, half by Tsar

Representatives of nobility from major institutions

Two houses equal legislative power

Legislation had to be approved by the Tsar

GOVERNMENT (Council of ministers under PM)

Appointed by Tsar and responsible to crown not Duma

Question 5

What were the ‘Fundamental Laws’ issued by Tsar Nicholas on 23rd April 1906 (five days before first Duma met)?

Answer 5

Reasserted his right to:

Rule by decree in emergencies (or when Duma not in session)

Veto legislation

Dissolve the Duma

Command Russia’s army and navy

Control the Orthodox Church

Overturn court verdicts

Direct foreign relations and declare war

Question 6

How many Dumas were there between 1905 and 1917?

Answer 6

Four

Question 7

Who were the main political parties that stood in the Duma elections?

Answer 7

Social Democrats - divided since 1903 between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks

Social Revolutionaries

Trudoviks

Kadets (constitutional democrats)

Octobrists (Union of 17 October)

Progressives

Rightists - including Union of the Russian People

Nationalists groupings

Question 8

Which political parties dominated the first two Dumas?

Answer 8

Kadets and left wing groups

Question 9

By the third Duma, which political party dominated elections?

Answer 9

Octobrists

Question 10

By the fourth Duma, which political parties dominated elections?

Answer 10

Mainly right-wing parties

Question 11

What was the outcome of the first Duma - May-July1906?

Answer 11

Boycotted by Bolsheviks, SR and extreme right

Mostly radical liberals 1/3 peasants

Wanted radical reforms

When refused, past a vote of no confidence in the government

Dissolved in July (Hardline Stolypin became PM)

Sent 200 delegates to Vyvorg to organise protest - failed and leaders imprisoned

Question 12

What was the outcome of the second Duma Feb-June 1907?

Answer 12

More left wing - as Bolsheviks, Mensheviks and SRs participated

Opposed the government

Dissolved after refusing to support Stolypin agrarian reforms

Some delegates arrested and exiled

Stolypin illegally increased representation of the gentry in the Duma

Question 13

What happened in the third Duma Nov 1907-June 1912?

Answer 13

Agreed to majority of government proposals - but disputed some reforms

Suspended twice in 1911

Question 14

What happened to the fourth Duma Nov 1912-17?

Answer 14

Largely ignored by government

Question 15

How would you describe the state of the autocracy by 1914?

Answer 15

Appeared to have recovered

POSITIVES
Stolypin had ruthlessly restored order in countryside

Agriculture reform meant agrarian situation improved

Duma’s influence had become almost non-existent

Revolutionary groups had been weakened -partly by police activity, exiles and internal quarrels

As war grew closer - patriotism returned

NEGATIVES for autocracy

From 1912 Labour troubles came back

Influence on Tsar and Tsarina of mystical faith healer Rasputin damaged Nicholas’ reputation among traditional supporters

Question 16

How would you summarise political changes 1894-1917?

Answer 16

Demands after the Russo Japanese war led to 1905 revolution

Nicholas II October Manifesto promised constitutional reform and national representation through state Duma

Duma’s powers limited - autocracy maintained control

Despite some politics and economical development along Western approaches - Russian government largely reactive and oppressive

Question 17

What economic developments 1894-1914?

Answer 17

Developments in businesss and industry

1) Railways
2) Heavy Industry

Developments in Agriculture

Stolypin’s land reforms

Question 18

What were the economic developments under Witte (Finance minister 1892-1903)?

Answer 18

Railway trackage doubled

Coal output in Southern Russia nearly quadrupled

New Rouble introduced - backed by value of gold to strengthen

Foreign investment greatly increased

Industrial growth state managed - capital, technical advisors, managers and skilled workers sought from overseas

Question 19

Did the state remain directly involved in economic growth, after Witte, to 1914?

Answer 19

Yes

By early 20th century 70% of railways state controlled

Extensive holdings in heavy industry

1903-13 earned more than 25% income from industrial investments

Government used these funds to:
Fund public works
Develop Russia’s infrastructure
Develop mines,oil fields and forests (timber)
Re-equip army

Question 20

What was the annual growth rate between 1894-1913?

Answer 20

8%

Question 21

What happened in Railways In early 1900s?

Answer 21

State bought out smaller private railway companies

State extended lines

Created a railway building programme:

Opened up Russian interior

Allowing greater exploitation of Russia’s raw materials

Linked grain growing areas to Black Sea ports

Stimulated development of iron and coal industries

New industries along length of network

Fall in transport costs - lowered price of goods

Raised funds for government from freight and passenger charges

By 1913 Russia had second largest railway network in world

Question 22

What happened in heavy industry in 1900s?

Answer 22

Early stages- lighter industries like textiles led way

Witte wanted to increase heavy goods production

Witte concentrated production in key areas, developing large factory units - 1000+ workers

Good growth results

By 1914 fourth largest producer of coal, pig-iron and steel

Russian oil production trebled from 1885-1913- became self sufficient and could compete with USA on international market

Light industries also grew

By 1914 Russia 5th largest industrial power (after Britain, USA, France and Germany)

Question 23

Before Stolypin’s land reforms of 1906 what was the state of agriculture in Russia?

Answer 23

Small scale

Mainly done by former serfs and state peasants

Peasants tied local Mir - redemption payments and heavily taxed

Estates continued to be divided into smaller and smaller holdings

Still using traditional methods

Poor yields compared with USA and Britain

Some peasants, Kulaks, had successfully become more efficient

Question 24

Wanted did Stolypin want to achieve with his land reforms?

Answer 24

Wanted individual peasants to own their own land

And for them to hold in one piece, rather than scattered holdings

Should be allowed to develop it as they wished- without Mir interference

From 1903 Mir ceased to be responsible for paying taxes on behalf of peasants

Question 25

What was the key timeline of Stolypin’s land reforms?

Answer 25

1906 More state and crown land made available for peasants to buy Govt subsidies to encourage Siberia settlement Peasants granted equal rights in local administration Peasants could leave Mir Collective ownership of land by a family was abolished - land became property of individual Peasant could consolidate his strips of land onto a compact farm A new Peasant’s Land bank was established to help fund land ownership 1907 Redemption payments fully abolished 1910 Communes which had not redistributed land since 1861 were dissolved

Question 26

What were the positive impacts of Stolypin’s land reforms?

Answer 26

Larger farms were developed- as land transferred and poorer peasants sold to wealthier ones Hereditary ownership of land by peasants increased Grain production rose annually - by 1909 world’s largest cereal exporter Emigration incentives moved 3.5m peasants away from over/populated rural districts to Siberia Siberia turned into major agricultural area Kulaks prospered and became rural elite

Question 27

What were the limitations of Stolypin’s land reforms?

Answer 27

Changes in land ownership took a long time to process By 1913 less than half of applications for consolidation and hereditary ownership of individual farms had been processed By 1914, around 10% of land had been transferred from communal to private ownership and 90% of peasant holdings were still in traditional strips By 1914 50% of land remained in hands of nobility Probably fewer than 1% achieved Kulak status - many had to leave farms and become migrant labourers

Question 28

How would you summarise Ecomomic developments between 1894 and 1914?

Answer 28

Russian economy transformed State managed Ecomomic development resulted in annual growth 8% By 1914 Russia 5th largest industrial economy After 1906 Stolypin land reforms to agriculture grain production increased and started a change in rural Russian lives. Change was slow though and not completely successful

Question 29

What social developments were there to 1914?

Answer 29

Developments in working and living conditions in towns- e.g.reduced working hours, banning of employment under 12s Developments in working and living conditions in the countryside - little development, still largely poor and bottom of ladder Social divisions - still divided between small noble class and peasant majority Cultural changes e.g. opportunities for women, increased literacy

Question 30

What were working conditions like in towns to 1917?

Answer 30

Russias urban population quadrupled to 28m from 1867 to 1917 Seeking work in new factories and workshops By 1914, 3/4 of population of St Petersburg (city) were peasants by birth + half of city’s population had arrived in last 20 yrs Moscow different - felt like a peasant village, where livestock roamed street Conditions in towns poor Workers often lived in barrack-like buildings provided by factory owners Dangerous over-crowding and poor sanitation Private rented accommodation not much better Rents high - some people slept in factories or on street Wages varied, but failed to keep pace with inflation - women poorly paid

Question 31

What attempts were made to improve working and living conditions in towns to 1914?

Answer 31

Between 1885 and 1912 series of decrees to improve conditions : Reducing working hours Enforcing use of contracts Banning employment of children under 12 Providing sickness and accident insurance Increasing education

Question 32

Was there any political discontent in early 1900s?

Answer 32

Strike activity rate before and immediately after events of 1905 However, escalated in 1912 and in 1914 - 3000 stoppages Government repressed these violently

Question 33

What were working and living conditions like in rural countryside to 1914?

Answer 33

Harsh life for poorest peasants Many had to leave farms and look for seasonal farming work or industrial employment / minority migrated to Siberia Commune heart of rural life Living standards in general poor Some healthcare improvements provided by Zemstva - but many peasants unfit for military service High mortality rates and few doctors Not enough teachers - most peasants only received basic education and in 1914 only 60 literacy

Question 34

What improvements were there in living and working conditions in the countryside to 1914?

Answer 34

Some healthcare improvements Some benefits from Stolypin’s land reforms of 1906- allowing consolidation of farm plots and therefore better returns

Question 35

What were the impacts on the nobles between 1861-1905?

Answer 35

1/3 land transferred to urban middle class or peasants NEGATIVES Some nobles struggled to meet debts Some nobles couldn’t adapt to more modern practices on estates POSITIVE Some did well out of land distribution- consolidating best land for themselves at minimum cost and therefore increased income Some profited from turning to industrial enterprise NO CHANGE Taxes were not redistributed so for most nobles income and life largely unchanged Nobles retained influence in government, provincial governorships, military and Zemstva

Question 36

How did the creation of a new middle class develop in late 19th early 20th century?

Answer 36

Demand for managers and professionals grew Emerging middle layer increased its influence Expressed views through Zemstva and town and state Dumas Social mobility began to occur Nobles’ sons chose to join business world and peasants’ sons rose to become middle managers or factory managers

Question 37

What happened to workers and peasantry up to 1914?

Answer 37

Population growth and economic development affected this group the most Traditional attitudes in the countryside remained Peasant protest before 1914 was result of traditional grievances By 1914 political motivations behind protest In urban areas, where peasants had moved to, peasants lost their former identity. Began associating with those they lived and worked with - sharing same grievances - became target for political agitators Large and unhappy urban working class provide the energy to overthrow regime in 1917

Question 38

What cultural changes were there up to 1914?

Answer 38

Largely economic and political changes New opportunities for women e.g. education, independence through factory work Improvements in education increased literacy (although secondary and higher education remained largely for elite Books and publications increased Censorship relaxed from 1905 - producing ‘silver age’ of culture Some aspects stayed same: Orthodox Church continued to influence govt and community Patriotism for Tsar when war broke out in 1914 - all social groups rallied to defend Russian motherland

Question 39

How would summarise social change to 1914?

Answer 39

Urban population grew rapidly - as peasants moved to cities Living conditions in both countryside and towns harsh Socially divided between nobles and peasantry - but middle class growing in size and influence However, still remained largely traditional

Question 40

What opposition developments were there up to 1905?

Answer 40

Growth of liberal opposition Developments of socialism and emergence of Social Revolutionary Party Influence of Marxism and development of Social Democratic Party

Question 41

What was the timeline in the growth of liberal opposition to 1905?

Answer 41

1895 Nicholas rejects petition from the Tver Zemstvo calling for national advisory body - but Zemstva demands for all-class Zemstva at district level and a National Assembly continued 1896 Shipov tried to set up an ‘All Zemstvo organisation’ 1899 Radical liberals set up the Beseda Symposium - met secretly to discuss reform - led to liberal movement 1900 Hundreds of liberals dismissed from elected boards of the Zemstva 1903 Struve helped found the Union of Liberation- system through which workers could campaign to improve conditions 1904 Union invited reps of the Zemstva and other professionals to a grand meeting and a series of banquets for the liberal elite

Question 42

What developments in socialism were there to 1914?

Answer 42

Clear rural economy needed to be reformed Students supported new form of populism - inc violent protests 1899 Social Revolutionary Party formed- made up of groups with a wide variety of views Law graduate Chernov most influential theorist - editor of party journal Became leader of SRs in second Duma Party developed a wide national base 50% of its support from urban working class - but also peasants Secret police infiltrated and 4000 sentenced to death between 1905 and 1909 (although only half were actually executed)!

Question 43

What were the aims of the Social Revolutionary party to 1914?

Answer 43

Combined Marxist teaching with Populist ideas Tried to unite peasants and workers in fight against autocracy and for land redistribution Attempted to stir up discontent in countryside and strikes in towns Tried to disrupt govt through assassinations -2000 between 1901 and 1905 Active part in 1905 revolution Assassinated PM Stolypin 1911

Question 44

How did the influence of Marxism and the Social Democrats develop to 1914?

Answer 44

Marxist theories became attractive to Russian intellectuals, as industrialisation took place In 1898 Social Democratic Workers’ party created out of various Marxist groups Shared a lot of values with SRs- but took different approach Divisions between Bolsheviks (majority- led by Lenin) and Mensheviks from 1903 Effectively two separate parties from 1906

Question 45

What did the social Democratic workers party believe?

Answer 45

Working class were being exploited by masters Change had to come from the working men themselves

Question 46

What were the differences between the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks?

Answer 46

PARTY ORGANISATION Bolsheviks -centralised, disciplined organisation. Small disciplined group should guide the working class Mensheviks- Broader base, open to wider membership- more inclusive and less centralised PATH TO REVOLUTION Bolsheviks- believed Russia could move straight to socialist Revolution led by working class (even though economy was still agrarian ) - skip the bourgeoisie (middle class) - democratic phase Thought peasants could support Mensheviks- thought Russia would need to go through a capitalist, bourgeois stage first- with support from liberal middle classes Didn’t think working class ready to lead a revolution and doubtful of linking with peasantry

Question 47

What happened to trade union movements (opposition) between 1905 and 1914?

Answer 47

TRADE UNIONS Legalised after 1905 revolution Hundreds closed or denied registration after 1906 1912- shooting of demonstrators at Lena Goldfields Massacre set off wave of strikes - forcefully repressed In reality only 12% enterprises had a strike

Question 48

What other Oppositon groups were there between 1905 and 1914?

Answer 48

Concessions of 1905-6 helped reduce opposition Moderate liberals tried to cooperate with Duma system After 1905 no single strong opposition among nationalities SR and SD parties weakened (rivalry between SR and SD, exile of leaders, split in SD, success of secret police) Bolsheviks succeeded in sending six workers’ deputies to 4th Duma and their newspaper Pravda had a high circulation - however, overall support limited Memberships declined after 1905 and SR and SD survived at local level only

Question 49

How would you summarise opposition in the period 1905-1914?

Answer 49

Liberal opposition grew to 1905 - achieving its aim of national representation through state Duma Growing interest in socialism and Marxism = 2 new parties =SR and SD SR and SD stirred up unrest and strike action However before 1914 oppositon generally weak and strikes contained by repression and occasional concessions

Question 50

What happened politically after Tsar decision to go to war in 1914?

Answer 50

Wave of patriotism in country Strike activity stopped Duma (voted war credits) dissolved itself to avoid ‘unnecessary politics’ St Petersburg renamed Petrograd Huge army assembled Heavy defeats at Tannenurg (August) and the Masurian Lakes (September) made discontent return

Question 51

What was the timeline for wartime organisational changes 1914-15, after disputes?

Answer 51

1914 July Government establishes military zones where civilian authority suspended 1914 Aug Zemstva establish Union of Zemstva to provide medical facilities 1915 May Factory owners and businessesmen establish Congress (Congress of Representatives of Industry and Business) to help coordinate production 1915 June Zemstva Union joined with the cities to form the All Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities. Chaired by Prince Lvov. Never allowed direct influence and became target for liberal discontent 1915 Aug Some deputies from 4th Duma set up ‘progressive bloc’ and demanded Tsar establish ‘government of public confidence’ - Nicholas refused

Question 52

What happened in September 1915?

Answer 52

Nicholas appointed himself Commander-in-chief of Russian Army and Navy

Question 53

Was Nicholas’ decision to become Commander in chief a good one?

Answer 53

No Lacked military experience Had already lost confidence and support of Russian General Staff Distanced from developments in Petrograd Opened up to blame for all military failures

Question 54

What happened back in Petrograd during early parts of war?

Answer 54

Rasputin wielded more power and influence - undermining Tsar Tsarina accused of sabotaging war effort Liberals and Socialsits demanded changes in govt December 1916 Rasputin murdered by Nicholas nephew Prince Yusupov and accomplice - in attempt to save Tsar’s reputation Nicholas horrified, but continued to ignore demands

Question 55

What military problems were created by the 1914 war?

Answer 55

15 million mobilised between 1914 and 1917 Soldiers lacked weapons, warm clothes and suitable footwear My mid 1916 military weapons situation had improved - but experienced officers killed End of 1916- moral very low - 1.5m deserted in 2016

Question 56

What internal problems did the 1914 war bring

Answer 56

Military spending was very large Production slumped - yet more needed to supply army German and Austro-Hungarian invasions of Poland and other parts of Western Russia weakened industrial capacity Naval blockades and loss of land routes damaged TRADE Govt paid low prices for grain and other goods, so peasants boarded their produce Railways reserved for troops - so foodstuffs couldn’t reach cities - harsh conditions Cost of living rose by 300% and thousands nearly starved Jan 1917 strike activity in Moscow and Petrograd

Question 57

What was the timeline in the build up to the political collapse in February/March 1917?

Answer 57

Early Feb Strikes 58 factories Petrograd 24 Feb strikers plus students and women from bread queues join Traditional Women’s March Petrograd - International Women’s’ day 24-28 Feb strikes and demonstrations - Petrograd near standstill. Nicholas ignores telegram from Duma president demanding action Around 40 demonstrators killed and many soldiers leave Duma set up provisional committee supported by army’s high command Revolutionaries establish Petrograd Soviet Nicholas left for Petrograd - but diverted on route 2 March Nicholas abdicated in favour of brother Grand-Duke Mikhail

Question 58

After the abdication of Nicholas, who took control in Russia?

Answer 58

Nicholas’ brother Grand Duke Mikhail rejected Tsardom - passed political authority to ‘Provisional Government’

Question 59

Who led the provisional government?

Answer 59

Prime minister - Prince Lvov Liberal and moderate socialist politicians - many from Kadets and other Duma parties They represented the elites - favouring a constitutional monarchy

Question 60

Who were the Petrograd Soviet?

Answer 60

Workers, soldiers and Peasants saw the provisional government as committee of wealthy After abdication workers and soldiers formed committees. Committees merged to form the Petrograd Soviet Delegates elected from factories, military and workers’ organisations Dominated by Mensheviks and SRs with a few Bolsheviks - mainly socialist intellectuals Alexander Kerensky - only member of both the Soviet and the Provisonal Government -negotiated agreement to work together - Dual Power

Question 61

What did the provisional government promise?

Answer 61

Freedom for political prisoners Basic civil liberties Abolition of legal discrimination based on class, religion and nationality Right to organise trade unions and to strike Elections to a constituent assembly

Question 62

In addition to promises what else did the Providional government deliver?

Answer 62

Freedom of religion and press Abolished death penalty at the front Replaced Tsarist police with people’s militia Dismissed provincial governors, giving work to Zemstva

Question 63

Having accepted the Provisional Government promises - what did the Soviet hold back on asking for?

Answer 63

Land redistribution and nationalisation of industry

Question 64

How successful was the Dual Power alliance?

Answer 64

Lots of disagreements Different objectives

Question 65

What objectives did the Provisinal government want to focus on under Dual Power?

Answer 65

Wanted to maintain war effort Believed discipline needed to end desertions and restore order

Question 66

What objectives did Petrograd Soviet want to focus on?

Answer 66

Social conditions Improve standards of living for workers and peasants Encouraged workers and peasants to assert their rights

Question 67

What happened under Dual Power?

Answer 67

Workers’ strikes and military desertions continued Peasant disturbances increased Provisional government efforts to continue war met with demonstrations (2 ministers resigned- replaced by socialists from the Soviet inc Kerensky as war minister) Prince Lvov replaced as chairman by Kerensky Upper classes upset (PG had failed to win war and protect their property during July Days) July Days Kornilov right wing coup Kerensky releasing Bolsheviks to halt Kornilov Chaos and unrest as suspicions grew that the bourgeois government might be postponing greater democracy to preserve power

Question 68

What were the July Days

Answer 68

July 1917 when riots involving Bolsheviks

Question 69

What was Lenin’s April Theses?

Answer 69

Demanded following: Power should be transferred to the soviets War should be ended immediately All land should be taken over by state and re-allocated to peasants by local soviets

Question 70

What else did Lenin suggest on his return on 3 April 1917?

Answer 70

Petrograd Soviet should refuse to cooperate with Provisional Government Argued that to allow the middle class to remain in power would only delay the working class (proletariat) revolution

Question 71

What was the intial reaction to Lenin’s return from the Bolsheviks?

Answer 71

Some thought radical proposals would do more harm than good Some believed it would be unrealistic to oppose Provisional Government - as Bolsheviks still a minority among Socialists

Question 72

How did the Bolsheviks gain momentum in 1917?

Answer 72

By end of April Lenin had convinced the central committee of the Bolshevik party Trotsky decided to support the Bolshevik cause Despite many being imprisoned after July days riots, subsequently released and helped to stop Kornilov coup- grew massively on back of this

Question 73

What happened to the Bolsheviks party results and membership after helping stop the Kornilov coup?

Answer 73

September 1917 - won majority in the Petrograd Soviet (already controlled Moscow Soviet) - Trotsky chairman October - membership at 200,000 (23,000 in Feb) Party producing 41 newspapers Force of 10,000 Red Guards in Petrograd factories

Question 74

From Finland Lenin demanded Bolsheviks stage a revolution in September 1917, why did the party vote against this?

Answer 74

Zinoviev and Kamenev feared Russia not economically ready for revolution Did not want action until Provisional Government promised elections Trotsky wanted to work through Petrograd Soviet and wait for Congress of Soviets - 26 October Trotsky hoped to win support of all socialist parties for a soviet government without resorting to violence

Question 75

How did the Bolsheviks seize power October 1917?

Answer 75

7-9 Oct Lenin secretly returns to Petrograd to persuade central committee of BP to act Kerensky sent some radical army units out of Petrograd Soviet set up Military Recolutionary committee to defend city 10 October Lenin persuades Central Committee to vote for armed rising 10-2 - Zivoniev and Kamenev opposed 24 October Kerensky tries to close 2 Bolshevik newspapers and raised the bridges linking working class areas to centre of Petrograd. Used as excuse to act 25 Oct Kerensky left Petrograd for front - hoping to gain support of loyal troops. Remaining members of the Provisional Government met in Winter palace - still there when armed Bolsheviks, coordinated by Trotsky enter palace- arrested

Question 76

What happened between October and December 1917?

Answer 76

Bolsheviks power increased 26 Oct 2nd ‘All Russian Congress of Soviets’ opened. Not everyone approved the coup (even Bolsheviks Zinoviev and Kamenev opposed it) - however congress voted heavily in favour for a socialist government Majority of seats on new executive committee went to Bolsheviks and extreme SRs In protest many moderate Mensheviks and right wing SRs walked out - leaving Bolshevik and left wing SRs in control Exec committee established Soviet of People’s Commisars (Sovnarkom) as new govt. All Bolsheviks. Lenin chairman, Trotsky commissar for foreign affairs, Stalin Commisar for Nationalities

Question 77

What decrees did Lenin immediately announce on coming to power?

Answer 77

27 Oct Decree on Peace November - Workers’ control decree Nationality decree New legal system (with elected people’s courts) Sex discrimination outlawed Armistice ended Russias involvement in war December - Military decree Decrees on the church Nationalisation of banks

Question 78

Was there still significant opposition to Bolsheviks between Oct and December 1917?

Answer 78

Yes Many bankers refused to provide finance and civil servants refused to work for them Kerensky assembled army outnumbered Lenin’s forces Fighting in Moscow and other cities between supporters of provisional government and Bolsheviks Railway and communications workers went on strike - protest at one- party government

Question 79

Were the Bolsheviks fully in power by the end of 1917

Answer 79

Kerensky’s troops defected or held back on outskirts of city Bolsheviks dominated towns and railways However, large areas of countryside outside Bolshevik control Would take years of civil war before communists could claim full victory

Question 80

What methods did Lenin use to establish Bolshevik control

Answer 80

Propaganda campaign against political and ‘class’ enemies - particularly the bourgeoise Closure of anti-Bolshevik newspapers Purge of civil service Establishment of new secret police - the Cheka Imprisonment of leading Kadets, right wing SRs and Mensheviks He allowed elections to constituent assembly in November - Bolsheviks only received 1/4 votes - he dissolved the Assembly after one day

Question 82

What was Lenin’s quote about allying the peasants with the urban proletariat to start a revolution?

Answer 82

The proletariat must carry the peasantry with it