Communism in Russia 1900 to 1940 Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, key figures, and events of Russian Communism from $$1900$$ to $$1940$$, including the Russian Revolutions, Lenin's leadership, and Stalin's policies.

Communism

A social, political and economic ideology that aims to establish a stateless and classless society where each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.

Bourgeoisie

The ruling class who own the means of production, such as land and factories.

Proletariat

The working-class who provide labor that is exploited by the middle class to maximize profits.

Communist Manifesto

A book written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in $1848$.

Das Kapital

A critical analysis of capitalism published by Karl Marx in $1867$.

Bloody Sunday

A peaceful industrial protest brutally put down by Russian soldiers where $200$ people were killed, contributing to the $1905$ Revolution.

Plehve

The establisher of the legal trade union who was assassinated in $1904$.

St Petersburg Soviet of Workers’ Deputies

A workers' council set up by Trotsky during the $1905$ revolution which led to the creation of more Soviets.

Stolypin

The Prime Minister who carried out a policy of repression involving the persecution of Jews and harsh treatment of political activists until his assassination in September $1911$.

Rasputin

A peasant-monk who held inappropriate influence over Tsarina Alexandra while Tsar Nicholas II was away leading the Russian armies.

Central Powers

The alliance of Germany, Austria, and Italy that blocked Russian products from reaching outside markets during World War I.

Red Army

The ruthless military force representing the Bolsheviks, led by Trotsky during the Russian Civil War from $1918$ to $1921$.

White Army

A poorly organised group of various opposition forces supported by Britain, France, and the USA that fought against the Bolsheviks.

War Communism

An economic policy where food was requisitioned, banks and factories were nationalised, and workers were conscripted to ensure towns and armies were fed.

Vanguard of the Proletariat

A highly centralised, disciplined body of revolutionaries created by Lenin and the Bolsheviks to lead the state.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the name given to Russia in $1923$.

Marxism-Leninism

Lenin's interpretation of Marx's theories, which argued for a violent revolution led by an elite group of full-time revolutionaries, even in a majority peasant population.

New Economic Policy (NEP)

An economic compromise introduced in $1921$ that replaced War Communism and allowed peasants to sell surplus grain for profit and pay tax in money.

Kulaks

A new class of wealthy peasants that formed during the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Socialism in One Country

Stalin's belief that Russia could develop into an independent socialist state and that its success would eventually inspire international revolution.

Gosplan

The State Planning Commission responsible for developing production targets for the Five-Year Plans.

Collectivisation

A policy introduced in $1929$ that merged individual farms into larger, state-owned or collective farms to feed industry workers and raise capital.

Gulag

Labour camps where political prisoners, kulaks, and millions of others were sent, often resulting in death.

Kirov

A Politburo leader whose assassination in $1934$ by Nikolayev marked the beginning of the Great Purges.

Show Trials

Legal proceedings where leading political figures were tortured and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit, leading to execution or imprisonment.

NKVD

The Secret Police who carried out Stalin's political terror until they were themselves purged under the leadership of Beria.

Beria

The head of the NKVD appointed by Stalin who oversaw the execution of senior Secret Police members.

Apparatchiks

Loyal Communist Party members who were rewarded for their service during Stalin's reign.

Non Aggression Pact

An agreement signed between Germany and the USSR to divide Poland, which established an important economic relationship prior to the German attack.