Political structure of the USSR

Levels of the Soviet Government:

1. Savnarkom.

2. The Central Executive Committee.

3. All-Russian Congress of Soviets.

What was the Savnarkom?

• Council of Peoples Commission.

• 20 members.

• Key decision making in government during the Civil War.

• Elected by the Central Executive Committee.

What was the Central Executive Committee?

• All government administration.

• Oversaw law making for Congress of Soviets.

• Rubber stamp Savnarkom laws.

What was the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?

• Supreme law making body of the state.

• Elected by local soviets engaged in meaningful work.

• Lenin alternative to Constituent Assembly.

Levels of Communist Party:

1. Politburo.

2. Central Committee.

3. Party Congress.

What was the Politburo?

• 6-9 members of the Bolshevik Party.

• Elected but he Central Committee.

• Organised for key decisions passed to Savnarkom.

What was the Central Committee?

• 30-40 members.

• Made for key decisions.

• Power passed to the Politburo.

What was the Party Congress?

• Representation of local parties.

• Ninth and Tenth Part Congresses declined influence of the general program.

• 1920-1921.

What is Democratic Centralism?

• Soviets were bodies represented by local workers.

• Expressed to higher levels of decision making to aid the interests of the people.

• Only to make Bolsheviks look democratic.

• Society undermined and represented.

• Rubber stamped orders Central Executive.