IB History - Lenin Review
Page 1: The Origins and Development of Single-Party and Authoritarian States
Overview of single-party systems and the rise of authoritarian states.
Focus on Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Revolution as pivotal events in this context.
Page 2: Lenin's Rise to Power
Birth: Born Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov in Simbirsk.
Exile: Exiled to Siberia in 1895 until 1900, then moved to Switzerland.
Planning the Revolution: Begins developing revolutionary strategies during exile.
First Revolution (1905): Suppressed, but marks an important period for Lenin.
Page 3: Split Between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
Bolsheviks: Led by Lenin, distinguished by his powerful oratory.
Return to Russia: In 1917, Lenin returns from exile, aided by the Germans to encourage revolution against the Provisional Government.
Page 4: The Great October Revolution
Bolshevik Takeover: Bolsheviks seize government control in Petrograd.
Provisional Government's Fall: Members are peacefully ousted from power.
Trotsky's Role: Key figure in founding the Red Army, crucial for Bolshevik success in the Civil War.
Page 5: Lenin's Ideology and Role in the Revolution
Opposition to Provisional Government: Lenin remained against Kerensky’s government.
Withdrawal from WWI: Ended Russia's involvement in the war, leveraging a focus on revolution.
Communist Party Formation: Proclaimed the Communist Party and aimed for global communism.
Economic Policies: Included confiscation of large estates and nationalization of banks.
April Theses: Document outlining tasks for the proletariat.
Page 6: Role in the October Revolution of 1917
Preparation: Gave propaganda speeches to energize support.
Timing the Uprising: Strategically chose the moment to launch the revolution.
Action on October 24, 1917: Decision to act based on information about government troop movements.
Page 7: Domestic Policies
Promises: Lenin proclaimed "peace, land, and bread" to gain support.
Outcomes of WWI Withdrawal: The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk cost territory but allowed focus on the Civil War.
Cheka: Established a secret police force to centralize power.
Red Terror (1918-1921): Campaign of executions, targeting potential threats to the state.
Casualties: Up to 200,000 executed; many sent to gulags.
Page 8: The Red Army
Creation: Established by Trotsky under Lenin's leadership.
Training: Mandatory military training for urban workers and peasants.
Conscription of Anti-Communists: Forced labor for those deemed anti-Communist; capital punishment for deserters.
Page 9: Economic Policies
Nationalization: Abolished private property, nationalized industries, and state services.
Challenges: Struggled to sustain a war economy while implementing Marxist reforms.
Brest Litovsk Treaty: Loss of territory and resources highlighted economic instability.
Page 10: War Communism
Government Control: Complete takeover of factories, utilities, and agriculture.
Seizure of Property: Led to hoarding and significant famine.
Famine Consequences: Contributed to widespread famine in 1921; black markets emerged in response to shortages.
Fatalities: Estimated 3-10 million died during this famine.
Page 11: Economic Challenges Post-Bolshevik Power
Failing Policies: War Communism led to widespread famine and revolts, showing unmanageable consequences.
Kronstadt Incident: Identified as a critical moment that highlighted failure in handling discontent.
Page 12: The New Economic Policy (NEP)
Economic Relaxation: Shift towards a more capitalist approach to stabilize the economy.
Balancing Act: Tactically conservative retreat from strict communism to consolidate power.
Cultural Flourishing: Literacy rates increased and job opportunities for women expanded.
Economic Recovery: Efforts brought the economy back to pre-WWI levels by the mid-1920s.
Page 13: Effectiveness of Lenin's Strategies
Successes: Stabilized the economy leading to significant trade increases and industrial recovery.
Peasant Support: Improved trade reduced rural opposition; gained foreign investments.
Political Conditions: Despite economic gains, no political reforms occurred.
Page 14: Foreign Policy
Brest Litovsk Impact: Significant territorial losses that undermined Russia’s resources.
Polish-Soviet War: Attempt to promote revolution in Europe faced defeat; emphasized Lenin's aggressive expansionist vision.
Isolation: Western nations feared communism, leading to a lack of support for Bolsheviks.
Page 15: Lenin's Decline and Death
Assassination Attempt: Wounded in October 1918 by Fanya Kaplan.
Health Issues: Suffered strokes starting in 1922, leading to a power struggle for succession.
Legacy: Died January 1924; left with frustrations regarding the future of Communism.
Page 16: Successes and Failures of Lenin
Successes: Established a single-party state, controlling opposition and beginning socialist transformations.
Failures: Did not realize his vision of a true socialist society; world revolution aspirations unfulfilled.