The Russian Revolution Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms related to the Russian Revolution.

Bolsheviks

A radical socialist group meaning 'majority,' led by V.I. Lenin that seized power during the October Revolution.

Cheka

The early Soviet secret police force used to execute citizens suspected of counterrevolutionary activities.

Commissars

Communist party officials assigned to the army to teach party principles and ensure the loyalty of military officers.

Duma

The Russian legislative assembly; its politicians set up the provisional government after the Tsar's abdication.

Gulag

A network of forced labor camps established by the Communists that grew significantly under Stalin's later reign.

New Economic Policy (NEP)

A policy adopted by Lenin in 1921 that allowed for small capitalist ventures and private profit to help the economy recover.

Proletariat

The industrial working class; in Marxist theory, the group that would rise up to overthrow capitalism.

Provisional Government

The temporary government led by Alexander Kerensky that took power after the Tsar abdicated but failed to address land reform.

Red Army

The military force of the Communists during the Civil War, turned into an effective fighting force by Leon Trotsky.

Romanov Dynasty

The ruling family of Russia for 300 years; their reign ended with the abdication and eventual execution of Nicholas II.

Soviets

Councils of workers and soldiers that initially worked democratically but were eventually taken over by the Bolsheviks.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The 1918 peace agreement with Germany that ended Russian participation in WWI at the cost of significant territory.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a multinational state formed in 1922 uniting various republics under Communist rule.

War Communism

A radical economic policy involving state takeover of industry and the forced requisition of grain from peasants.

White Armies

A fragmented counterrevolutionary force composed of tsarist officers, democrats, and others seeking to defeat the Bolsheviks.