The New Regime Flashcards
How did Leon Trotsky and Alexandra Kollontai face difficulties after they gained power?
Civil servants went on strike, walk out, records destroyed, keys hidden. State Bank employees refuse to hand over money to Sovnarkom officials.
When did Bolsheviks gain access to money from the Stat Bank with the help of the Red Guards?
20 November 1917
What issues did the Bolsheviks face in consolidating power?
Bolsheviks had little experience in administrative matters. Much looting occurred, ‘drink pogroms’ were common, mobs raid the cellars of rich people, fighting breaks out, alcohol poisoning occurs. Members of the bourgeoisie murdered.
What was a dualism in early Bolshevik thought?
Authoritarianism and libertarianism; strong centralised government necessary for the survival of the regime, also believe masses should be encouraged to participate in the revolutionary process.
Lenin: “It is essential to imbue the oppressed
and the working people with confidence in their own strength.”
Lenin: “You are the power: do all you want, take all you want.
WE shall support you, but take care of production, see that production is useful.
When was the Cheka formed?
7 December 1917
What was the initial goal of Cheka?
Temporary and investigative (non-judicial) measure for political suspects; confiscation of ration cards is the most severe punishment. Authorised to conduct search and make inquiries.
What caused an expansion of the political police in January 1918?
Assassination attempt on Lenin
What was released on 21 February 1918? What did this entail?
Germany’s invasion prompts release of ‘The Socialist Fatherland is in Danger.’ Drafted by Lenin, entailed punitive measures against “enemy agents, profiteers, marauders, hooligans, counter-revolutionary agitators, and German spies.”
on early Sovnarkom Decrees: Bolsheviks are “the only people in Russia
who had a definite program of action while the others talked for eight long months.” John Reed
How was an element of conservatism reflected in early Bolshevik decrees?
Russian royal palaces carefully guarded; Anatoli Lunacharsy offered to resign upon hearing St. Basil’s Cathedral had been damaged.
What was passed on 27 October 1917?
Land Decree: Decree allowing peasants to seize the land of the gentry and distribute it themselves (This had already been occurring).
When was the Decree on the Eight-Hour Working Day released?
11 November 1917
What was the Workers’ Control Decree and when was it released?
14 November 1917. Gave industrial labourers the right to apply to the government to form self-management committees in their factories.
What was released on 2 November 1917?
Decree promising the right to self-determination for various ethnic groups.
When did Finland declare independence?
17 November 1917
When was the Decree on Peace?
8 November 1917