The Government under Lenin Flashcards
What were the aim’s of Lenin’s government?
- Establishment of a socialist state
- Nationalisation of industry
- Redistribution of wealth
- Promotion of education and literacy
- Internationalism
Establishment of a socialist state
Lenin aimed to establish a socialist state in Russia that would be based on the principles of Marxism
The socialist state would be a dictatorship of the proletariat, with workers and peasants in control of the government and the means of production
Nationalisation of industry
Lenin’s government aimed to nationalise all industries and land in Russia, so that they would be owned and controlled by the state
This was seen as a necessary step towards building a socialist economy that would benefit all the people, rather than just the wealthy elites
Redistribution of wealth
Lenin’s government aimed to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, in order reduce inequality and create a more equal society
This was achieved through policies such as progressive taxation and the nationalisation of industry and land
Promotion of education and literacy
Lenin believed that education was essential for building a socialist society, and his government invested heavily in education and literacy programmes
This was seen as a way to empower the working classes and to ensure that they had the skills and knowledge necessary to participate fully in society
Internationalism
Lenin’s government aimed to spread the socialist revolution beyond Russia and to support other socialist and anti-colonial movements around the world
This was seen as a way to create a global socialist community that would eventually replace capitalism and imperialism
What was the Sovnarkom?
The council of People’s Commissars - the highest executive administrative body of the Soviet government
Who headed the Sovnarkom?
Lenin was the first chairman of the Sovnarkom. He held the position until his death in 1924
What was the role of the Sovnarkom?
Implementing government policies and carrying out the day-to-day administration of the country
How was the Sovnarkom organised?
The Sovnarkom consisted of a group of people’s commissars, or ministers, who were appointed by the chairman
Each commissar was responsible for a particular area of government, such as, industry, agriculture and foreign affairs.
What was the relationship between the Sovnarkom and the Bolshevik Party?
The Bolshevik Party was the ruling party in Russia, and its members held key positions in the Sovnarkom.
The party provided guidance and direction to the Sovnarkom, and its policies were implemented by the government
What was the impact of the Sovnarkom on Russia?
The Sovnarkom played a key role in implementing Lenin’s policies and establishing the Soviet Union
It helped to create a centralised government that controlled all aspects of life in Russia, and it laid the foundations for the socialist state that would dominate the country for the next 70 years
What popular decrees did Lenin and his government pass in the first instance?
- The Decree on Land (Oct. 1917)
- The Decree of Peace (Oct. 1917)
- Workers’ Decrees (Nov. 1917)
- The Decree of Workers’ Control (Apr. 1918)
The Decree on Land (Oct. 1917)
It gave peasants the right to seize land from the nobility and the Church
The Decree of Peace (Oct. 1917)
It committed the new government to withdrawing from WW1 and seeking peace
