Bolshevik Power Consolidation and Stalin's Rise in Russia

What ideology is the foundation of Bolshevik beliefs?

Marxism, established by Karl Marx, which argues about the struggles between the oppressed and the oppressors.

What is communism according to Bolshevik ideology?

A stateless and classless system where wealth is controlled and distributed equally by a government, achieved when oppressed workers seize the means of production.

What was Lenin's goal regarding the Provisional Government (PG)?

To overthrow the PG by eliminating all opposition and executing the Tsar, establishing a Bolshevik dictatorship of the proletariat.

What was the significance of the October Coup in 1917?

It marked the Bolsheviks seizing power, with Lenin ordering the Red Guards to capture strategic positions in Petrograd.

What event marked the official start of the October Coup?

On 24th October 1917, Lenin ordered the Red Guards to capture key locations in Petrograd.

What role did Trotsky play in the October Coup?

Trotsky persuaded Lenin to wait for the Second Congress of All Russian Soviets, allowing the Bolsheviks to seize power in the name of all soviets.

What were the main weaknesses of the Provisional Government?

The PG's decision to stay in WWI, inability to make binding laws, and failure to legitimize peasant land takeovers.

What were the strengths of the Bolsheviks during their rise to power?

They were the only party against the war, had radical policies appealing to workers, and Lenin provided effective leadership.

What was the slogan used by the Bolsheviks that resonated with the public?

Bread! Peace! Land!

What were the three main decrees passed by the early Soviet government after the coup?

The Decree on Land, The Peace Decree (Treaty of Brest Litovsk), and the establishment of Sovnarkom.

What did the Decree on Land accomplish?

It confiscated all private land and placed it in the hands of the peasants.

What was the outcome of the Treaty of Brest Litovsk?

It ended Russia's involvement in WWI, but resulted in significant territorial and economic losses.

What territorial losses did Russia incur as a result of the Treaty of Brest Litovsk?

Russia had to accept the independence of Georgia, Finland, and Ukraine, and lost 32% of arable land and 25% of its industries.

What economic obligations did Russia agree to in the Treaty of Brest Litovsk?

Russia agreed to honor economic debts to the Central Powers and return 630,000 POWs to Austria.

Who were the key members of the Sovnarkom?

Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Alexei Rykov, Alexandra Kollantai, Anatoly Lunacharsky, and Joseph Stalin.

What position did Lenin hold in the Sovnarkom?

Chairman and head of the Politburo.

What role did Trotsky have in the early Soviet government?

Commissar of Foreign Affairs until February 1918, then Commissar of War.

What was the Bolshevik's vision for a global revolution?

The Bolsheviks proposed to start a global revolution, believing that Western nations would follow Russia's example.

What was the impact of the Civil War on Bolshevik consolidation of power?

The Civil War tested the Bolsheviks' ability to maintain control and establish a one-party rule amidst opposition.

What was the significance of Trotsky's leadership in the army?

Trotsky's leadership was crucial in organizing and leading the Red Army during the Civil War.

How did the Bolsheviks address the needs of the working class?

Bolshevik policies appealed to the oppressed working class, promising land redistribution and peace.

What was the Bolsheviks' main strategy to gain support from the public?

They capitalized on the existing discontent with the PG and promised radical changes that appealed to workers and peasants.

What years did the Russian Civil War take place?

1918-1922

Who were the main opposing forces in the Russian Civil War?

The Bolsheviks (Reds led by Trotsky) and the Whites (supported by UK, France, Japan).

What were the main causes of the Russian Civil War?

Increasing opposition to the Bolshevik regime, discontent with repression, dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, bourgeoisie opposition to land seizures, and international enemies after leaving WWI.

What was the outcome of the Russian Civil War?

The Bolsheviks were victorious.

How many people died as a result of the Russian Civil War?

Approximately 13.5 million.

What significant changes occurred in the political structure after the Civil War?

Establishment of a one-party dictatorship, the Nomenklatura system, and the GPU replacing the Cheka.

What was the economic policy during the Civil War known as?

War Communism.

What were the main features of War Communism?

Strikes were forbidden, food was rationed, and peasants were compelled to give up produce.

What severe consequence resulted from War Communism?

One of the most severe famines of the century, resulting in 5 million deaths.

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

A policy introduced in March 1921 allowing peasants to sell produce for profit and reintroducing money.

What were some key reforms of the New Economic Policy?

Grain requisitioning ceased, small businesses were allowed, and workers were paid in cash.

What was the impact of the Bolshevik consolidation of power on political structure?

Created Sovnarkom, refused to share power, established the Cheka, and created the Politburo and Orgburo.

What year was the USSR established?

1922

What was the short-term political impact of Bolshevik consolidation?

Secured Bolshevik control over Russia and established a centralized, one-party state.

What was the long-term political impact of Bolshevik consolidation?

Created an authoritarian system, centralized governance, and reliance on the Cheka and purges under Stalin.

Did the Bolshevik consolidation of power reflect their ideology?

Yes.

What social reforms were introduced by the Bolsheviks?

Women's rights reforms and anti-religious policies.

What was the short-term social impact of Bolshevik policies on religion?

Weakened the influence of the Church, but practices like Easter and Christmas persisted.

What was the economic output of industries in 1921 compared to 1912 levels?

Mining - 29%, Oil - 36%, Grain - 48%.

What was the role of the GPU after the Civil War?

It served as the Political Administration, a permanent body of the state.

What was the Bolshevik stance on factionalism after the Civil War?

There was a ban on factionalism.

What was the impact of the Bolshevik regime on democracy?

Suppression of democracy increased reliance on the Cheka and led to purges.

What was the birthrate change in Petrograd between 1914-1920?

The birthrate fell by 50%.

What was the death rate change in Petrograd during the same period?

The death rate quadrupled.

What long-term impact did education reforms have under the Bolsheviks?

Promoted state atheism and set the foundations of Soviet education and cultural control.

What economic policy did Lenin introduce to address the issues caused by War Communism?

The New Economic Policy (NEP).

What was a short-term effect of War Communism?

It worsened famine and unrest, forcing Lenin to introduce the NEP.

What was a long-term effect of the NEP?

It failed to generate enough capital for industrialization and worsened economic control in Moscow.

Who were the main contenders for leadership after Lenin's death?

Leon Trotsky, Grigory Zinoviev, Lev Kamenev, Nikolai Bukharin, and Joseph Stalin.

What significant health issues did Lenin face before his death?

He suffered a failed assassination attempt in 1918, followed by multiple strokes in 1922 and 1923-24.

What was Stalin's approach to consolidating power within the Bolshevik Party?

He removed 'lukewarm' members, admitted new loyal members, and expelled Trotsky and his allies.

What was Stalin's stance on the NEP?

He strongly disagreed with its continuation and urged for rapid industrialization.

How did Stalin justify purges and repression against perceived internal enemies?

He used the Shakhty Mines case to justify harsh measures against Kulaks and other opponents.

What was the outcome for Bukharin and other right-wing Bolsheviks by 1929?

They were expelled from the Politburo and faced increasing repression.

What ideological conflict arose regarding the socialist economy and culture?

Debates on when and how to implement socialism and which foreign policy should dominate.

What was the significance of the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky?

It represented a critical conflict within the Bolshevik leadership that shaped the future of the USSR.

What action did Stalin take against Trotsky and his allies?

He denounced them as traitors and expelled them from the party.

What was the impact of Stalin's alliance with Bukharin?

It helped him maintain power and control over the Politburo before turning against Bukharin.

What was the Bolshevik ideology regarding economic policies during the power struggle?

It was characterized by debates over the NEP and the push for rapid industrialization.

What was the role of the Politburo in Stalin's rise to power?

Stalin used control of the Politburo to eliminate rivals and secure his dominance.

What were the consequences of Stalin's policies on peasants?

Harsh measures against Kulaks, including criminalizing grain hoarding and confiscating supplies.

What ideological stance did Nikolai Bukharin represent?

He was a very traditional Marxist advocating for the continuation of the NEP.

What was the outcome of the power struggle by 1927?

Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev were expelled, securing Stalin's dominance.

What were the ideological differences between Stalin and Bukharin?

Stalin prioritized industrialization over agriculture, while Bukharin supported NEP to encourage food production.

What was the significance of the assassination attempt on Lenin in 1918?

It marked the beginning of Lenin's health decline and foreshadowed the power struggles to come.

What was the impact of the NEP on food production?

It revived food production but led to corruption among discontent communists.

What was the political climate in the USSR following Lenin's death?

A power struggle ensued, leading to the emergence of Stalin as the leader by the late 1920s.

What is totalitarianism?

A system where the state regulates every aspect of public and private life.

What was the Great Purge?

A campaign initiated by Stalin to eliminate anyone who threatened his power.

What is a command economy?

An economic system where the government makes all decisions regarding production and distribution.

What does police terror refer to in the context of Stalin's USSR?

The use of police to enforce government policies through spying, intimidation, terror, and violence.

What is indoctrination in the context of Stalin's regime?

The instruction of government beliefs to gain public support.

What is a police state?

A government that maintains control through military force, censorship, and harsh punishments.

What is the single ruling ideology of the USSR under Stalin?

Bolshevism and socialism-in-one-country.

Who led the Communist Party during Stalin's rule?

Stalin himself led the Communist Party, which was originally the Bolsheviks.

What was the role of the Cheka and NKVD in Stalin's regime?

They served as the terrorizing police force responsible for surveillance and repression.

What were show trials and gulags?

Show trials were public trials used to intimidate, while gulags were forced labor camps for political prisoners.

What was the central military force under Stalin?

The Red Army, which Stalin is credited with creating.

How did Stalin control communication in the USSR?

Through propaganda and censorship, particularly via the agency GLAVLIT.

What were the main economic transformations under Stalin?

Collectivisation and industrialisation, moving the USSR from an agrarian to an industrial society.

What was collectivisation?

The consolidation of individual land and labor into collective farms to increase agricultural efficiency.

What were the five-year plans?

State-directed economic plans aimed at rapid industrialisation and economic growth.

What economic problems did Russia face in the 1920s?

A steep increase in industrial goods prices and a severe decrease in agricultural goods prices.

What was the urban-rural divide in the context of the Bolsheviks?

A divide where peasants, isolated from urban centers, resisted industrialisation and sought land ownership.

What was the NEP and who supported its extension?

The New Economic Policy (NEP) aimed at economic recovery; Bukharin supported its extension.

Who opposed the NEP and what did they advocate for?

Trotsky and Preobrazhensky opposed the NEP, advocating for rapid industrialisation and collectivisation.

What was the impact of industrialisation on Soviet society?

It transformed the USSR from an agrarian society to an industrial society, emphasizing electricity, iron, and coal.

What was the primary motive behind collectivisation in the USSR?

The motive was ideology and the survival of the state.

What was the process of dekulakisation during collectivisation?

Dekulakisation involved targeting wealthy peasants (kulaks) who were either shot, sent to camps, exiled, or allowed to stay outside the collective depending on their wealth.

How did kulaks respond to dekulakisation?

Kulaks responded with violence by killing their animals, burning crops, and hiding grains and seeds.

What were the consequences of collectivisation in Ukraine?

Collectivisation led to grave food shortages and a famine induced by Stalin, who seized all of the peasants' grain stock.

What was the state of the Soviet economy in the 1920s?

In the 1920s, the Soviets were predominantly agricultural and significantly behind major industrial powers.

What was the goal of the Five-Year Plans in the USSR?

The goal was to transform the USSR from an agrarian country to a self-sufficient industrial power.

What was a significant outcome of the first Five-Year Plan (1928-32)?

The plan aimed to increase production by almost impossible margins and inspired young people to volunteer for important projects.

What was a major challenge faced during the Five-Year Plans?

Heavy industry was strengthened at the cost of consumer goods, leading to an imbalance in growth.

What was the role of the state in the economy during the Five-Year Plans?

The state took control of the economy, deciding what was produced, when, and who produced it.

What happened to individuals who failed to meet production targets during the Five-Year Plans?

Failure to meet targets became a criminal offense, and individuals could be accused of sabotage and treason.

What was the significance of heavy industry in Stalin's economic policies?

Stalin and the Supreme Economic Council believed heavy industry was the basis of western economic strength.