Theme 1 - Consolidation of Bolshevik rule by 1924

Question 1

What were the problems faced by the Bolsheviks in consolidating rule in 1917

Answer 1

• Other Parties in the soviet
• Consituent assembly & first universal election
• Flaws with April Thesis

Question 2

What were the flaws with the April Thesis

Answer 2

• “PEACE” - the Bolsheviks were not internationally recognised so couldn’t negotiate with the Germans
• “BREAD” - difficult due to men and horses at the front
• “LAND” - redistrobution of land could lead to soldiers deserting the front

Question 3

When, why and who walk out of the 2nd Congres of soviets

Answer 3

• 1917
• Mensheviks and SR’s
• They view OCT 17 as a bolshevik not soviet siezure of power

Question 4

When is the decree on Peace

Answer 4

• 27 Oct 1917
• Armistice follows in November

Question 5

When & What is the decree on Land

Answer 5

• 27 Oct 1917
• Abolished private ownership

Question 6

When does Lenin decree in November 1917

Answer 6

• Workers can “supervise” management

Question 8

How did Lenin secure funding in 1917?

Answer 8

• “Pursuaded” the central bank to hand over financial reserves (on threat of armed intervention)

Question 9

How did Lenin respond to calls for a coalition

Answer 9

• “Conisdered” the coalition from Zinoview and Kaminev but talkes broke down

Question 10

When was the Cheka established?

Answer 10

• December 1917

Question 11

What were the election results?

Answer 11

• 17 November 1917
• SR’s 53%
• Bolsheviks 24%

Question 12

When was the first meeting of the consituent assembly?

Answer 12

• 5 January 1918

Question 13

What was the outcome of the first meeting of the consituent assembly?

Answer 13

• Lenin used armed guards to close down the delegation
• Beggining of dictatorial rule

Question 14

When was the treaty of brest litovsk?

Answer 14

• March 1918

Question 15

When & Where was the Tsar murdered?

Answer 15

• July 1918
• Yekatringsburg

Question 16

When was the “ban on factions”

Answer 16

• April 1921

Question 17

When was the USSR established?

Answer 17

• Dec 1922

Question 18

When does the first white army form

Answer 18

• Spring 1918
• Wanted to regain WW1 & Regain control of siezed industry
• Backed by USA, UK & France

Question 19

How did the bolsheviks survive the first few months in power?

Answer 19

• By a mixture of consessions and ruthless actions

Question 20

What were the outcomes of Brest-Litovsk

Answer 20

• Russia lost 1/6 of population (62 million)
• 1/3 of Agriculture
• 26% of rail
• 74% of iron and coal

Question 21

Red Strength (Trotsky)

Answer 21

• Resored death penalty
• Able to rally men
• Restarted conscription & Maintained order by having officers families held hostage
• Promoted based on merit

Question 22

Red strength (LENIN)

Answer 22

• Cheka used to brutal effect during “War communism”
• Introduced War communism

Question 24

What is the Sovnarkom and when is it set up

Also key roles

Answer 24

• 1917
• Executive committee
• Trotsky (Foreign Affairs), Lenin (Chair), Stalin (Nationalities)