2.1 - Lenin's consolidation after October 1917

What was Sovnarkom?

Sovnarkom was the Council of People’s Commissars, created on 27 October 1917, which became the new Bolshevik government.

Why was Sovnarkom important?

It centralised authority in Bolshevik hands and ruled by decree, allowing Lenin to bypass the Congress of Soviets.

What role did Lenin have in Sovnarkom?

Lenin was Chairman of Sovnarkom, making him head of government and the main decision-maker.

What role did Trotsky have in Sovnarkom?

Trotsky was initially Commissar for Foreign Affairs, negotiating Brest-Litovsk, and later Commissar for War, where he built the Red Army.

What role did Stalin have in Sovnarkom?

Stalin was Commissar for Nationalities, responsible for managing ethnic minorities and strengthening central control.

Why did Lenin create Sovnarkom?

He wanted the regime to appear as a legitimate Soviet government, while ensuring real power stayed with the Bolsheviks.

Why did Lenin refuse to share power with other socialists?

He believed only the Bolsheviks could achieve true Marxist revolution and feared compromise.

Why was ending the war Lenin’s first priority?

WW1 had caused military collapse, bread shortages, inflation, and was a direct cause of revolution.

What was the Decree on Peace?

Issued on 26 October 1917, it called for immediate peace without annexations or indemnities.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Signed on 3 March 1918, it ended Russia’s involvement in WW1.

What did Russia lose at Brest-Litovsk?

Russia lost 1/6 of its population, 1/3 of agricultural produce, 26% of railways, 74% of iron and coal, and territories including Ukraine, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states.

What was the Decree on Land?

It legalised peasant seizures of land and redistributed estates.

Why was the Land Decree politically useful?

It won peasant support and weakened the SR rural support base.

What was the Workers’ Decree?

It introduced the 8-hour working day.

What social insurance was introduced?

Pensions, health benefits, and unemployment support.

What did the Rights of the People Decree do?

It abolished titles and class ranks, replacing them with “Comrade.”

What did the Nationalities Decree promise?

Self-determination for minority peoples.

What rights did women gain?

Women gained property rights and easier access to divorce.

What was the Cheka?

The secret police, created in December 1917 to suppress counter-revolution.

Who led the Cheka?

Felix Dzerzhinsky (“Iron Felix”).

How large was the Cheka by 1918?

Around 1,000 members.

What was the Constituent Assembly?

A long-promised democratic body meant to form a permanent government.

What were the election results?

Bolsheviks won 24%, SRs won 37%.

Why was this significant?

It showed the Bolsheviks did not have majority support.

How did Lenin respond?

He dissolved it by force in January 1918.

Why does this show authoritarianism?

It proves Lenin prioritised Bolshevik power over democracy.

Was Lenin only trying to build a one-party state?

Partly, but survival, reform, and ending the war were also key priorities.