KT2 — The Bolsheviks in Power, 1917–24

"What were the early Bolshevik decrees of 1917?

The Decree on Land gave peasants the landlords' land; the Decree on Peace sought to end the war; other decrees gave workers control of factories and nationalised the banks."

"What happened to the Constituent Assembly (1918)?

Free elections gave the Bolsheviks only a minority (the SRs won most seats), so Lenin shut the Assembly down after just one day - showing the Bolsheviks would not share power."

"What happened to Tsar Nicholas II and his family?

They were held prisoner and then executed by the Bolsheviks at Ekaterinburg in July 1918, to stop them becoming a rallying point for the Bolsheviks' enemies."

"Why did the Bolsheviks sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)?

Lenin was desperate to end the war with Germany at any price, to keep his promise of peace and free the Bolsheviks to secure power inside Russia."

"What were the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Russia gave up huge territory - including Poland, the Baltic states, Finland and Ukraine - losing around a third of its population and much of its industry and farmland."

"Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk significant?

It kept Lenin's peace promise, but its harsh terms outraged many Russians and helped trigger the Civil War."

"Who fought in the Russian Civil War (1918-21)?

The Reds (Bolsheviks) against the Whites - a mixed group of Tsarists, liberals, SRs and others opposed to the Bolsheviks, backed by foreign powers."

"Why did the Civil War break out?

Opposition to the Bolshevik takeover, anger at the closure of the Constituent Assembly and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and foreign hostility to communism."

"What was foreign intervention in the Civil War?

Britain, France, the USA and Japan sent troops and supplies to help the Whites, fearing the spread of communism - but their effort was half-hearted and uncoordinated."

"How did Trotsky help the Reds win the Civil War?

He created and led the disciplined Red Army, used skilled ex-Tsarist officers, and travelled the front in an armoured train to organise and inspire the troops."

"What other strengths helped the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?

They held the central area with the main cities, factories and railways, were united under Lenin, and used War Communism to keep the Red Army supplied."

"Why did the Whites lose the Civil War?

They were divided, scattered across the country, had no shared aim or single leader, were poorly coordinated, and were discredited by foreign backing and the threat of restoring landlords."

"What were the effects of the Civil War?

Millions died from fighting, famine and disease, the economy was wrecked, and the Bolsheviks tightened their grip through centralisation and the Red Terror."

"What was the Cheka?

The Bolshevik secret police, set up in 1917, which crushed opponents through arrests, terror and executions."

"What was the Red Terror?

A campaign of violence and mass executions against real or suspected opponents of the Bolsheviks during the Civil War, run mainly by the Cheka."

"What was the Kronstadt Mutiny (1921)?

Sailors at Kronstadt - once strong Bolshevik supporters - rebelled demanding more freedom; Trotsky crushed it brutally, but it shocked Lenin into changing economic policy."

"How did the Bolsheviks centralise power after the Civil War?

Power was concentrated in the Communist Party and its Politburo; other parties and internal factions were banned, with Lenin firmly dominant."

"When and what was the USSR?

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, formally created in 1922, united Russia with other Soviet republics under central Communist control."

"What was War Communism?

The Bolshevik economic policy during the Civil War: grain was seized from peasants, industry was state-controlled and food was rationed, all to supply the Red Army."

"Why was War Communism unpopular?

Forced grain seizures left peasants with too little to eat, so they grew less; this helped cause the terrible 1921 famine and sparked revolts such as Kronstadt."

"Why did Lenin introduce the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921?

War Communism had caused famine, economic collapse and revolts, so Lenin retreated towards limited capitalism to save the economy and Bolshevik rule."

"What were the features of the NEP?

Peasants could sell surplus grain for profit, small businesses and private trade were allowed, but the state kept control of major industry (the 'commanding heights')."

"How was the NEP received and what were its effects?

Some communists saw it as a betrayal that brought back capitalism, but the economy recovered and food production rose by 1924."

"How did Bolshevik policies affect women?

Women were given legal equality, the vote, easier divorce and were encouraged to work - though in practice change was limited."

"How did Bolshevik policies affect education and culture?

Schooling and literacy campaigns expanded, the arts were used to spread communist ideas, and religion was attacked."

"EXAM SKILL: How would you answer 'Explain why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War' (12 marks)?

Three reasons, each a paragraph explaining HOW it caused victory: (1) Trotsky and the organised Red Army, (2) Bolshevik unity, central position and control of railways/cities, (3) the weaknesses and divisions of the Whites."