Russia FC

(Handmade, half copied from Kalyan's but optimised for me)

Biggest Problems facing Russia in 1894?

Population - 85% peasants

and Life expectancy is only 40yrs,

very large amount of people and low amount of Fertile land made it hard to provide for population.

Size of Country - Communication Difficulties across country and Transiberian railway was only built in 1904 (still took a week from one side of Russia to other)

What was Russification?

Government made Non-Russians speak only Russian and forbid people’s culture from external places such as Finalnd, Poland, Latvia

What was Okhrana?

was the secret police force of Tsar Nicholas 11, active from 1881 to 1917 and were used to crush opposition to the Tsar

Name the Major Political groups at the Early 1900:

Socialist Revolutionaries, Social Democrats, Liberals

Who, What and When were the Socialist Revolutionaries Formed?

Aim: Wanted to get rid of Tsar and give all land to peasants to collectively live and form Communes

Actions: Asassinated politicians and members of Okhrana - 2000 in 1901

Supporters: Large numbers of Peasants and some in towns

Formed in 1901

Who, What and When were the Social Democrat Party formed?

Aim: To overthrow Tsar and Create a Socialist State

Actions: Split in 2 in 1903: Bolsheviks - Led by Lenin and wanted Immediate Revolution, Mensheviks wanted to wait

Supporters: Supported by workers and soldiers

Formed in 1891

Who, What and When were the Liberals Formed?

Aims: Greater Democracy, Free Election, Civil Rights, Freedom of Speech and Tsar to become a constitutional Monarch. (like England)

Actions: Argued for Duma (lower hours in federal Russian Assembly) and then further reforms when Duma formed Meetings, Speeches, Published books

Supporters: Mostly in Middle Class

Formed in 1905

What was Bloody Sunday?

When Father Gapon led 150,000 peaceful protestants to the Winter Palace,

however Troops Fired, killing around 200 people and injuring 800

Bloody Sunday sparked the Russian Revolution of 1905

What Happened in Russo-Japaneese War and when?

1904-1905, Russia’s Baltic Fleet were completely destroyed

Russia were poorly equipped, TS Railway took too long to bring supplies and there was poor leadership.

Whole event caused further spark for 1905 Revolution.

What Happened in 1905 Revolution?

Protests and Strikes with 2.6 Million workers participating in 14000 strikes.

June 1905 - Sailors on Battleship Potemkin mutinied in support of Striking Workers.

What Caused 1905 Revolution?

Peasants had terrible pay,

long hours

and unsafe working conditions for industrial workers,

Bloody Sunday, Russo-Japanese War

How did Russo-Japanese War end?

Treaty of Portsmouth September 5th 1905

mediated by US president Theodore Roosevelt,

where Russia recognised Japan’s Dominance and ceded territorial right in Manchuria.

How did Russian Revolution stop?

October Manifesto,

end of Russo-Japanese War allowed troops to return and help quash strikes

and the army remained loyal to Tsar allowing him to use military repression to halt revolutions.

What was October Manifesto and when?

Document issued by Tsar Nicholas 11 on October 17 1905

which helped the middle-class as they get more say in the form of the Duma.

as well as promising significant reforms like civil liberties

and also extending voting rights to more classes of the population

Reality of Duma:

Tsar Changed constitution to allow his to dissolve Duma whenever he wanted.

He dissolved first 2 in the Duma’s first year as they were too critical of him

Changed voting rules in 1907 so his opponents were not elected to Duma.

3rd Duma lasted till 1912 since they were less critical but even they were dissolved since they began becoming more critical of the Tsar

Who was Peter Stolypin and What did he do?

Prime Minister of Russia from 1906 to 1911

Implemented a Carrot and Stick Policy

Was assasinated by Dmitri Borgov in Kiev Muncipal Theater on September 1911

What was Stolypin’s Necktie? (Stick in CS method)

1000 Strikers, Protestors and revolutionaries were hung and

20,000 were exiled

This oppression killed off opposition till 1914

What’s a Kulak ?

Rich Peasant

What’s a Mir commune?

Self governing communities of peasant households and familes

What was Stolypin’s Reforms? (carrot)

Allowed Kulaks to opt out of Mir communes and buy up land.

There Kulaks prospered

Effect of Stolypin’s Reforms:

1890-1913 Grain production doubled,

Overall Crop productivity increased by 14%

Battles Before Tsar Takes over in WW1:

Battle of Tannenberg

Battle of Masurian Lakes

Battle of Tannenberg, When? and death toll?

August 1914 (1st major battle of WW1)

170,000 killed, captured or wounded from Russia

12-13 Killed or wounded from Germany

Battle of Masurian Lakes, When? and death toll?

September 1914

125,000 Killed, wounded or missing on Russian side

10,000 from German Side

Battles after Tsar takes over:

Battle of Lake Naroch Offensive

Brusilov Offensive

Losses now were on the Tsar since he was in charge of the army

Lake Naroch Offensive, When? Death toll?

March 1916, Russia Lost to the Germans with Tsar taking charge.

20,000 from German side

110,000 from Russian side

Brusilov offensive, When? Death Toll?

June 1916

But all gains for Russia in this war were lost in the Winter

1-1.5 million from the Autria-Hungarian losses

Germany: Around 350,000

Russia: 500,000 to 1 million

Consequences of War for Russia

Consequences:

Inflation increased tremendously

Shortage of labour

Morale low

Lost respect for officers

Why did Russia struggle in the War?

Poor leadership and Tsar had inept Leadership

Rifle was shared between 2-3 men

Not enough support and equipment

Who did Tsar leave in charge of country as he went to battlefields

Tsarina and Rasputin

Why was Rasputin so trusted by Tsar and Tsarina?

Rasputin cured the Tsar’s son and therefore the Tsar was willing to give him anything

Why did public hate Rasputin and Tsarina ?

Tsarina was German

Rasputin comitted many scandalous behaviour such as excessive drinking and sexual scandals

all whilst claiming himself to be holy.

Ways that Tsarina and Rasputin mismanaged the country:

Tsarina didn’t work with Duma at all

She dismissed able ministers and replaced them with men who were loyal to her or friends of Rasputin

So many changes that no one organised food, fuel and other supplies for cities properly

Railway system fell into chaos and trainloads of food were left to rot

Why did people blame Tsar for Tsarina and Rasputin’s mismanagement of the country?

Tsar went to the frontlines leaving the Tsarina and Rasputin in charge

allowing the chaos in the country to ensure, so public blamed him

Steps that led to the Tsar’s Abdication

1. Effect of War on soldiers: 1 million soldiers died - many died without ammunition or even boots to wear

2. Effect of War on Russians at home - Millions of peasants were sent to frontlines so there was less food being produced by farmers and less coal by factories. Led to increase in prices and meant workers who couldn’t get raises fell further into poverty which led to economic decline

3. Revolution Begins: March 1917 - 40,000 workers from Putilov engineering works went on strike for higher wages. Next day was international women’s day and thousands of women joined the revolution

4. Tsar ordered the revolts to be put down by force BUT the soldiers refused to shoot civillians and many shot their officers and joined the revolt

5. FINALE: THE TSAR ABDICATES 🏳

When did Tsar abdicate ?

March 15 1917

What happened to government after Tsar abdicated ?

Royal Family said no to power

So remainder of Duma formed provisional government and was only in until a full election

What’s the Petrograd Soviet ?

Worker'‘s union in Petrograd

What’s Soviet order number 1?

Petrograd soviet issued it saying “armed forces will be loyal to petrograd soviet”

What was the power differential between Prov Gov and Petrograd Soviet and why was this bad for Prov Gov?

Prov gov: Authority without Power

Petrograd Soviet: Power without Authority

The 2 had dual power where they were both needed for each other but this is bad for the government as they’re supposed to be in power

Failures of the Provisional Government and their affects: WAR

What happened: P gov continued in war with agreement of the P soviet

Affect on P gov: Soldiers deserted more, food and fuel remained in short supply. -Public desperately wanted it to end

Affect on Bolsheviks: Boosted their popularity since they also wanted it to end

Failures of the Provisional Government and their affects: LAND

What happened: Tsar was gone so peasants thought they’d get land BUT land was too big so prov gov said no until a full election and government took place

Affect on P gov: Peasants hate them more since they don’t get the land they were promised

Affect on Bolsheviks: Boosted popularity since Lenin offered to give land

Failures of the Provisional Government and their affects: April Thesis

What happened: Lenin’s Speech - he argued for a second socialised revolution in which workers took power.

Affect on P gov: Lowered popularity and increased danger of a revolution

Affect on Bolsheviks: Boosted Popularity due to his radical and relatable views

What were full terms of April Thesis?

War should be ended immediately

Lands should be given to peasants

Soviets should take power

Dissolve the Prov Gov

How many Soldiers deserted under the prov gov and by when?

By Autumn 1917, Around 2 million men had left the the Army - Known as “Deserters”

What was July Offensive 1917?

Kerensky organised a huge offensive disaster

Tens of thousands of casualties and more territory lost to Germany

Desertion increased as peasants let army to join Land seizures

What were July Days?

Huge amounts of Bolsheviks spewed onto the streets on 16th and 17th July after July offensive 1917 as an attempt to uprise

But the Bolsheviks missed their opportunity and key members were arrested whilst Lenin fled to Finland

What was the Kornilov Affair?

Kerensky appointed Kornilov as commander in chief of Russian Forces in an attempt to restore order

Kornilov moved troops towards the capital in an attempted coup d’état

Kerensky Panicked and issued weapons to the Bolshevik Red Guards to defend the capital, which they did succesfully and held off Kornilov

BUT after this was done the Bolsheviks kept the weapons so, Kerensky had just armed the Bolsheviks

What was Bolshevik Revolution?

By end of October 1917, Lenin convinced Bolsheviks it was time.

Night of Nov 6th, Bolsheviks took control of post offices, bridges and majority of Petrograd (Capital)

Nov 7th Evening, They stormed and arrested ministers of the Prov gov, Kerensky escaped but fled into exile

Nov 8th, Announcement was made that Bolsheviks had taken over

What did Trotsky do in build up to the October Revolution?

Fought off Kornilov Affair

Kept Red guard armed

Helped Lenin to return to Russia

Led Bolsheviks when Lenin was exiled

What happened politically right after Bolsheviks took over?

Secret Police was renamed to Cheka

Bolsheviks gave free election

Assembly opened on 12 Jan 1918

Lenin used congress of soviets with majority as Bolsheviks to pass his laws

He believed he established a Dictatorship which would give way to true Communism

When and what was Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

March 1918 - Russian and German treaty to leave war

What was problem with Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Lenin Took 5 months to sign it

He thought German forces would march onto petrograd and overthrow the Bolshevik Government

Delay hindered Russia as the delay continued Russian food shortaged and hardships and inevitably the treaty had no meaning once the Germans were defeated.

If treaty was signed earlier, at least Russians would have more time to regroup

Impacts of Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on Russia:

Russia had to surrender 1 million km of land with 50 million people

Russian provinces of Finland, Ukraine and Georgia were given independence

Russia lost 27% of arable land, 26% of railways and 74% of iron ore and coal

Russia had to pay 3 billion roubles as reparations

Opposition of Bolsheviks: Czech Legion

Who: 42,000 soldiers who fought for Russia but were isolated after Treat of BL

Why: Russia abandoned them and they wanted to form Czechoslovakia

Threat Level: High - Took over railways which stopped distribution of resources

Opposition of Bolsheviks: Whites

Who: All who opposed Bolsheviks in Russia, Tsarists, Socialist Revolutionaries and others

Why: Some didn’t like the regime, Tsarists wanted to reinstate the Tsar, Socialist Revolutionaries wanted to re-establish constituent assembly

Threat Level: Very High - Had millitary support from ex tsar 1st officers. Aso had support of Czech Legion.

KEY: THEY WERE VERY BIG IN SIZE

Opposition of Bolsheviks: Foreign Powers

Who: Allied troops sent to Russia in 1916 to support against Germany but war ended and they remained to guard munition and supply depots

Why: Wanted to prevent communism, Bolsheviks cancelled repayment of loans from Allies and big 3 feared spread of communism

Threat Level: High - Lot of power and opposition from major countries to Russia BUT they didnt have much manpower physically in Russia

Opposition of Bolsheviks: Greens

Who: People who refused to join white armies. Peasant armies made of deserters and national minorities

Why: They wanted to end war communism and minorities

Threat Level: Moderate - Low in Numbers and didn’t do much apart from independence of Ukraine which Russia quickly got back.

Key features of War Communism:

• Nationalization: All large industries, banks, and transport were taken over by the state.

• Grain Requisitioning: The government forcibly seized surplus grain and food from peasants to feed cities and soldiers, taking what it needed.

• Abolition of Private Trade: Private commerce was banned.

• State Control: The state managed production, resource allocation, and labor, introducing strict discipline and forced labor.

• Suspension of Money: Money transactions were partially suspended, with goods often bartered or distributed centrally.

Goal and Result of War Communism

• Goal:

  To consolidate Bolshevik power, provide for the war effort

• Result:

  It led to severe economic disaster, famine, and widespread peasant revolts such as Kronstadt Mutiny

• production of grain fell from 80 million tonnes to 37.6 million tonnes

What was Kronstadt Mutiny and When?

March 1921 - Sailors at Kronstadt staged uprising and drew up 15 demands

Trotsky used 60,000 troops to quash the Mutiny and 20,000 men were killed or wounded

Why did Lenin implement NEP and When?

Lenin recognised changes were necessary after the Kronstadt Mutiny so in March 1921 at party congress Lenin announced he would be starting new policies which he called New Economic Policies.

FOR MARKS TALK ABOUT BOTH NEP AND WAR COMMUNISM IF U WANT MARKS

icl tho WC cards a bit off in my opinion but i think they’ll manage

What was the NEP?

Key Components of the NEP

• Agriculture: Forced grain requisitioning ended, replaced by a tax in kind (a fixed tax in produce encouraging farmers to produce more grain to keep more grain). Peasants could sell their surplus on the open market, encouraging production.

• Private Trade & Industry:

  Small factories, shops, and businesses were returned to private ownership or allowed to operate for profit.

• Commanding Heights: The state retained control of "commanding heights," including banking, transportation, heavy industry, and foreign trade.

• Reintroducing Currency: Money was reintroduced to replace the barter system that developed during the Civil War.

For the NEP (why was it a success ?)

• Lasted until 1928 (4 years after Lenin’s death proving it was highly successful)

• Russia became more prosperous

• Better Economy

• Living conditions improved

• Resources improved

Against the NEP (why was it a failure ?)

• Prices for manufactured goods was high and peasants were unwilling to sell grain

• Levels of Unemployment remained a serious problem

• Prices remained high in general

• Money remained low value
  

When does Lenin die ?

1924 due to a period of severely declining health

When did NEP end and who decided this and why?

1928, Stalin and he did this to facilitate rapid industrialization, eliminate capitalist elements within the Soviet economy (yk how his ting was with communism and that ) and consolidate his political power

What was Agitprop - (Agitation Propaganda)? and how effective was it ? who organised it?

What Was Agitprop?

• A Soviet method of political messaging combining agitation (emotional motivation + calls to action) and propaganda (ideological education).

• Used to spread Bolshevik ideas, mobilise support, and shape public opinion after the 1917 Revolution.

• Delivered through posters, slogans, newspapers, theatre, film, agit‑trains, speeches, and factory meetings.

Who Organised It?

• The Bolsheviks

How Effective Was It?

• Highly effective

What messages were Red Propaganda trying to get across?

• Whites will oppress peasants

• Bourgeoise, Tsar and Pope presented as unappealing

• No religion, church just takes money

• Pro - Communism

What messages were White Propaganda trying to get across?

• Remove the Bolsheviks from power

• Prevent the spread of communism

• Promote support for the Whites (Tsarists, liberals, moderates, foreign powers)

• Portray the Bolsheviks as dangerous, violent, and illegitimate

• Defend traditional values (religion, private property, law and order)

What was more effective Red or White propaganda?

Red propaganda since it was more constant and red army took over cities such as Moscow and Petrograd as they were cities that could read

What happened to Trotsky after Lenin’s death?

• Missed Lenin’s funeral (Stalin misinformed him about the date → damaged his reputation)

• Outmanoeuvred by Stalin in the power struggle

• Lost key positions (removed as Commissar for War, then from the Politburo)

• Expelled from the Communist Party in 1927

• Exiled from the USSR in 1929

• Assassinated in Mexico in 1940 by Ramon Mercader

What was the weakness of the whites?

• Lack of unity — different groups wanted monarchy, republicanism, or a Constituent Assembly.

• Poor coordination — White generals didn’t cooperate; many distrusted each other (e.g., suspicion of General Kolchak).

• Weak leadership — no single, strong, unifying figure like the Bolsheviks had with Lenin/Trotsky.

• Poor support from the population — peasants didn’t trust them (feared return of landlords).

• Weak foreign support — foreign powers were divided, half‑hearted, and withdrew early.

• Geographical disadvantage — forces spread out across huge distances, making communication and supply difficult.

What were the strengths of the Reds?

Control of central area and railway

• Reds occupied central Russia - speaking area of the country

Much better use of railway systems

They had access to Tsar’s old arsenals - 2.2 million rifles and 12,000 field guns

Support from Peasants - Lenin introduced the decree of land in 1917 ( redistributed land to peasants which made the Reds more popular to them)

What was name of alliance between Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamanev called?

Triumvirate

What was Stalin’s route to leadership ? (Stage 1 - Defeating Trotsky)

• Dec 1922: Stalin forms the Triumvirate with Zinoviev and Kamenev to block Trotsky, despite their ideological differences.

• As General Secretary, Stalin builds a loyal power base by appointing supporters to key posts.

• April 1923: At the 12th Party Congress, Stalin’s influence ensures only 3 Trotsky supporters are elected to the 40‑member Central Committee.

• Jan 1924: Lenin dies. Stalin gives Trotsky the wrong funeral date, damaging Trotsky’s reputation when he fails to attend.

• Stalin uses this moment to dismiss remaining left‑wing opposition and present himself as Lenin’s loyal disciple.

What was Stalin’s route to leadership ? (Stage 2 - Defeating the Left Opposition (1924–1927))

• Nov 1924: Trotsky attacks party bureaucracy at Congress but is defeated by Stalin’s packed delegates.

• Jan 1925: Trotsky publishes Lessons of October, criticising Zinoviev and Kamenev for opposing Lenin — but does not attack Stalin, which benefits Stalin.

• Dec 1925: Trotsky is removed as Commissar for War.

• Stalin now allies with Bukharin (Right) and promotes Socialism in One Country, which becomes extremely popular.

• July 1926: Zinoviev and Kamenev attack Stalin at the 14th Party Congress but lose every vote. Zinoviev is replaced in Leningrad by Stalin loyalist Kirov.

• Nov 1926: Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the United Opposition, but Stalin accuses them of factionalism.

• Trotsky and Zinoviev are expelled from the Party, Kamenev removed from the Central Committee.

• The United Opposition collapses.

What was Stalin’s route to leadership ? (Stage 3 - Defeating the Right Opposition (1928–1929))

• Jan 1928: Trotsky is exiled internally to a remote area near the Chinese border.

• Sept 1928: Bukharin secretly approaches Trotsky for an alliance, but both sides hesitate — nothing comes of it.

• Feb 1929: Stalin has Trotsky deported abroad to Constantinople.

• April 1929: Bukharin is removed as editor of Pravda.

• Nov 1929: Bukharin, Rykov, and Tomsky are removed from the Politburo.

• Dec 1929: Stalin celebrates his 50th birthday as the undisputed leader of the USSR.

SUPER CONDENSED HOW DID STALIN RISE TO POWER?

Stalin rose to power by:

1. Using his role as General Secretary to build a loyal power base.

2. No one saw him as a threat - he was just a secretary

3. He made all key appointments in his own hands

4. Forming shifting alliances (Triumvirate → Right alliance → no rivals left).

5. Exploiting Lenin’s death to damage Trotsky.

6. Accusing opponents of factionalism and removing them one by one.

7. Promoting popular policies like Socialism in One Country.

8. Eliminating Trotsky, the Left, then the Right, becoming sole leader by 1929.

Why did Stalin believe Modernisation was a MUST?

Stalin believes that Russia will collapse if they don’t modernise within a decade

Believed that other countries were already 100 yrs ahead of them

Why was modernisation central to Stalin’s plans? (Rival Economies)

When Stalin took over, most of russia’s industrial equipment had to be imported, Stalin wanted to make USSR self sufficient and to improve standards of living so people would value the communist rule

Why was modernisation central to Stalin’s plans? (Millitary)

WW1 had shown that in order to win a modern war, you must have the industries to create weapons and resources needed

Why was modernisation central to Stalin’s plans? (Food)

Stalin wanted to combat the food crisis by mechanism farming so that they could produce more food with less workers so more people could work in other industries

Why was modernisation central to Stalin’s plans? (Reputation)

During Lenin’s reign, he had made big changes to the country, so Stalin wanted to prove himself as a leader by bringing even more changes

Why was modernisation central to Stalin’s plans? (Communism)

For communism to work, most of the population needed to be workers. in 1928 only 1 in 5 Russians were industrial workers

2 methods Stalin Modernised Russia and whats the key association with each?

Industrialisation (Factories) - Cities advancements

Collectivisation (Farming) - Rural advancements

What were the 5 year plans?

An economical target Stalin set which was practically impossible to reach, however it heavily benefitted the Russian economy even thought they don’t achieve it

What was the state planning agency called and when did the 5 year plans start?

Gosplan and made way for the 5 yr plans, starting in 1928

What is the name of the collective farms used in collectivisation and what were they used for?

Kolkhoz were all the households land together that were run by an elected comittee. So all households combined livestock and worked together however they were all each allowed up to 1 acre of personal land

Benefits of Collectivisation/Kolkhoz:

• Larger units of land farmed more efficiently for higher food production

• Mechanised agriculture means fewer farmers and more workers in factories

• Fewer places to collect grain from

• 90% of profits sold to the state

• 10% shared out amongst the Kolkhoz

What was Dekulakisation?

Stalin wanted to remove kulaks to stop any chance of uprising

Stalin wanted to remove 6 million but only got 1.5 million (killed)

However Kulaks were the best farmers meaning Russia’s agricultural output was significantly lower

How were peasants live’s affected by Collectivisation? and why was Ukraine hit the worst

30 million peasants died of collectivisation

Holodomor occurred in 1932-1933

3.3 million Ukrainians died during the Holodomor

Stalin wanted to starve Ukraine into submission since it was very fertile, full of rich land, but the land started turning black and barren from collectivisation

When was the first 5 year plan and what is the evidence for their success?

1928-1932

Emphasised heavy industries

Targets were set unbelievably high and unrealistic but huge results were achieved

• Coal and Iron doubled in output

• 100 new towns were built

• Electric power production almost trebled in output

When was the second 5 year plan and what is the evidence for their success?

1933 - 1937

Still focused on heavy industry but also developed communications like railways

Huge growth in the chemical industry

• few Stats from 1933 to 1937:

• 64.3 to 128 million tonnes of coal produced

• 5.9 to 17.7 million tonnes of steel produced

• Moscow Underground railway was built

• Stalin brought in a lot of specialists from America

When was the third 5 year plan and what is the evidence for their success?

1938 - 1941 ( 3 years until Russia entered WW2)

Focused on developing resources needed for war

• At end of 3rd 5 yr plan there’s 10.9 million tonnes of plastic due to mass industrialisation

How were workers made to work? (carrot and stick, what was each)

How they encouraged people to work?

A better society was inspiring for workers and especially younger workers

A huge propaganda campaign was announced persuading many workers

Awards and honours were given to hard-working workers

Wages were also used as incentives as they were paid based on how much was produced

How were people who didn’t work punished?

Strict code of work

Absenteeism was punished by fines, loss of ration cards or dismissal

Workers had to carry labour books with bad comments and job history. Bad records could lose a worker food

A large proportion of workforce consisted of forced labout

1940 - Not going to work became a criminal offence

Impact of industrialisation on women: (refine this flashcad but this is best of the 4)

Shortage of working from 1930 so government focused on mobilising women into jobs.

It set up thousands of new nurseries.

40% of industrial workers were women.

72% of health workers also were women

REFINE

Impact of industrialisation on professional workers: (refine this flashcard)

For some life was better. if you workers hard you could become a new supervisor, technician, manager (new class of workers) - REFINE

Impact of industrialisation on Industrial workers: (refine this flashcard)

They experienced a lot more propaganda

They constructed the White sea- Baltic canal where 100,000 people died - REFINE