Section 2: How did the Bolsheviks gain power, and how did they consolidate their rule?
Focus Points
- How effectively did the Provisional Government rule Russia in 1917?
- Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?
- Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?
- How far was the New Economic Policy a success?
Failure of the Provisional Government
Dual Power
The key question in 1917 was this: who was going to rule Russia now that the Tsar had abdicated? Crowds gathered outside the Tauride Palace, demanding that the Duma take charge. Inside, the members of the Duma were worried and frightened. What if generals loyal to the Tsar arrived with troops to execute them for treason? Some slipped away into the crowds and left the city. Those remaining discussed and argued into the night.
The decision was to form a Provisional Government (based on the old Duma). This would run the country until elections could be held to choose a government and decide how Russia was to be ruled in the future.
As the Provisional Government was being formed, another body, the Petrograd Soviet was taking shape in a different part of the same building. Workers and soldiers sent representative to for a Soviet to look after their interests. In the next few weeks, Soviets appeared all over Russia, but the Petrograd Soviet was the the most important. The first thing the Soviet did was to issue Order No. 1, which gave it control of the armed forces in Petrograd.
It was a strange situation: the Provisional Government were accepted as the government, but it could carry out its decisions only if the Soviet agreed. Most people were in favor of the first measures taken by the new government. Political prisoners were freed, and the government announced that there would be freedom of press, freedom of speech, the right to strike and an end to social discrimination and the death penalty. Russians had more freedom now than they had had for centuries.
A key person in these events was Alexander Kerensky. He had become involved in revolutionary activities as a young man but he had turned to the Social Revolutionaries rather than the Marxists. He had been elected to the Duma in 1912 and was famous for his emotional speeches, which the public loved. It was Kerensky who met the crowds outside the Duma to discuss their demands and then helped persuade the Duma members to form the Provisional Government, in which he was made Minister of Justice. But he also became a member of the Petrograd Soviet. He went to meetings of both bodies, making sure they understood each other. He was the bridge between them. As 1917 progressed, Kerensky became more and more important, becoming first Minster for War, and, at the end of July, Prime Minister. His powers of speech-making were put to great effect in mass meetings for the war effort; women threw jewels at his feet. His actions were to be very important in deciding how matters turned out in Russia.
There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917. With the two revolutions, Lenin overthrew the Provisional Government. It is key to note that he did not become Tsar. However, he ordered an assassination of the Tsar, which would ensure that he would be gone for good.
In March 1917, the Petrograd Soviet issued Order No. 1, which put the Petrograd Soviet in charge of the armed forces in Petrograd, which were supposed to be controlled by the government.
In April, Lenin returned and issued the April Theses. This called for:
The key question in 1917 was this: who was going to rule Russia now that the Tsar had abdicated? Crowds gathered outside the Tauride Palace, demanding that the Duma take charge. Inside, the members of the Duma were worried and frightened. What if generals loyal to the Tsar arrived with troops to execute them for treason? Some slipped away into the crowds and left the city. Those remaining discussed and argued into the night.
The decision was to form a Provisional Government (based on the old Duma). This would run the country until elections could be held to choose a government and decide how Russia was to be ruled in the future.
As the Provisional Government was being formed, another body, the Petrograd Soviet was taking shape in a different part of the same building. Workers and soldiers sent representative to for a Soviet to look after their interests. In the next few weeks, Soviets appeared all over Russia, but the Petrograd Soviet was the the most important. The first thing the Soviet did was to issue Order No. 1, which gave it control of the armed forces in Petrograd.
It was a strange situation: the Provisional Government were accepted as the government, but it could carry out its decisions only if the Soviet agreed. Most people were in favor of the first measures taken by the new government. Political prisoners were freed, and the government announced that there would be freedom of press, freedom of speech, the right to strike and an end to social discrimination and the death penalty. Russians had more freedom now than they had had for centuries.
A key person in these events was Alexander Kerensky. He had become involved in revolutionary activities as a young man but he had turned to the Social Revolutionaries rather than the Marxists. He had been elected to the Duma in 1912 and was famous for his emotional speeches, which the public loved. It was Kerensky who met the crowds outside the Duma to discuss their demands and then helped persuade the Duma members to form the Provisional Government, in which he was made Minister of Justice. But he also became a member of the Petrograd Soviet. He went to meetings of both bodies, making sure they understood each other. He was the bridge between them. As 1917 progressed, Kerensky became more and more important, becoming first Minster for War, and, at the end of July, Prime Minister. His powers of speech-making were put to great effect in mass meetings for the war effort; women threw jewels at his feet. His actions were to be very important in deciding how matters turned out in Russia.
There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917. With the two revolutions, Lenin overthrew the Provisional Government. It is key to note that he did not become Tsar. However, he ordered an assassination of the Tsar, which would ensure that he would be gone for good.
In March 1917, the Petrograd Soviet issued Order No. 1, which put the Petrograd Soviet in charge of the armed forces in Petrograd, which were supposed to be controlled by the government.
In April, Lenin returned and issued the April Theses. This called for:
- Overthrow of the Provisional Government
- An end to the War
- Soviets to form a new government
- Land given to the peasants
- State to control factories and banks
The July Days
The failure of the June Offensive in World War I led to widespread mutinies. The Bolsheviks, in this instance, were still on the ground and they supported the mutinies and participated, but they didn’t lead. As a consequence, the riots were quelled. The Bolsheviks were accused of being German agents and some of their leaders were arrested (those who were released as a result of the Kornilov Revolt). Lenin escaped to Finland and the Bolsheviks were weakened, but still seen as the main revolutionary group.
The Bolsheviks were successful because of Lenin. He organized a communist party, published the newspaper, Pravda, avoided capture, organized the coup, and came up with popular slogans to raise morale and public awareness.
However, Trotsky also played a role in the success of the Bolsheviks. He joined the Bolsheviks after the July Days and masterminded the events of the coup against the Provisional Government in late October. He was a great military leader who organized the Red Guard that defeated Kornilov.
Additionally, it was also the Provisional Government that helped the success of the Bolsheviks. Kerensky knew of Trotsky’s plan, but had lost support of the army and was completely helpless.
The failure of the June Offensive in World War I led to widespread mutinies. The Bolsheviks, in this instance, were still on the ground and they supported the mutinies and participated, but they didn’t lead. As a consequence, the riots were quelled. The Bolsheviks were accused of being German agents and some of their leaders were arrested (those who were released as a result of the Kornilov Revolt). Lenin escaped to Finland and the Bolsheviks were weakened, but still seen as the main revolutionary group.
The Bolsheviks were successful because of Lenin. He organized a communist party, published the newspaper, Pravda, avoided capture, organized the coup, and came up with popular slogans to raise morale and public awareness.
However, Trotsky also played a role in the success of the Bolsheviks. He joined the Bolsheviks after the July Days and masterminded the events of the coup against the Provisional Government in late October. He was a great military leader who organized the Red Guard that defeated Kornilov.
Additionally, it was also the Provisional Government that helped the success of the Bolsheviks. Kerensky knew of Trotsky’s plan, but had lost support of the army and was completely helpless.
The Kornilov Revolt
In August 1917, Russian General Kornilov attempted a coup in attempt to overthrow the Provisional Government led by Kerensky. He attempted to get rid of the Provisional Government first because if he had attempted to overthrow the Soviets, he would simply be putting his own poor, working class soldiers against the Soviets’ poor, working class soldiers. Kerensky was forced to ask the Bolsheviks for help, who agreed to mobilize soldiers and sailors in return for their political prisoners being released. Many Bolshevik leaders had been imprisoned by the Tsar. These leaders were ideologically against the Provisional Government and Kerensky had to take a gamble. Bolshevik leaders were released and the Red Guard was given weapons. The Bolsheviks defeated Kornilov.
The Bolsheviks were henceforth seen as heroes. They claimed victory and their popularity increased dramatically: it was seen that they had come to the rescue of the Provisional Government. They were seen as successful and became a well-armed force.
The Provisional Government was facing several problems at the time. Peasants demanded land, and the aristocracy who owned the land were gone. Workers in the cities were demanding food and the government had to decide wether to fight or make peace with the Triple Alliance. They also had to contain the spread of the revolutionaries’ influence. Most of all, the government needed to maintain the loyalty of the army.
The Provisional Government attempted to solve these problems. They promised land reforms, but gave no date. They could not guarantee food supplies as the Petrograd Soviet controlled the railways and only some got through. If the Provisional Government was seen as having solved the food crisis, popular support would move away from the Soviets, and the Soviets obviously wanted to prevent this, which is why they placed restrictions on the Provisional Government. The Provisional Government also promised political reform in an attempt to stop revolutionaries. However, they failed to take any positive action: if the revolutionaries entered the Provisional Government, they would have they would have the power to make impossible demands, which if unmet, would give them the power to overthrow the Provisional Government. Troops in Petrograd were under the control of the Soviets because of Order No. 1, and the government wanted to control the war, but the troops only answered to and obeyed the Soviets. The Soviets wanted the troops to maintain order in Petrograd and possibly overthrow the Provisional Government.
As a result, the peasants were angry with the Provisional Government. The government then had to start seizing land from the peasants, as the peasants refused to sell food because they were angry at the government because of the lack of land reforms. The government seized the land to start selling food and this took the food away from the peasants. The workers joined the Bolsheviks, so they would get a response to their pleas for political reform and food. As a result, the Bolsheviks and other groups gathered more support. The government was losing control of the Petrograd Soviet and the Soviet took control of important things.
In August 1917, Russian General Kornilov attempted a coup in attempt to overthrow the Provisional Government led by Kerensky. He attempted to get rid of the Provisional Government first because if he had attempted to overthrow the Soviets, he would simply be putting his own poor, working class soldiers against the Soviets’ poor, working class soldiers. Kerensky was forced to ask the Bolsheviks for help, who agreed to mobilize soldiers and sailors in return for their political prisoners being released. Many Bolshevik leaders had been imprisoned by the Tsar. These leaders were ideologically against the Provisional Government and Kerensky had to take a gamble. Bolshevik leaders were released and the Red Guard was given weapons. The Bolsheviks defeated Kornilov.
The Bolsheviks were henceforth seen as heroes. They claimed victory and their popularity increased dramatically: it was seen that they had come to the rescue of the Provisional Government. They were seen as successful and became a well-armed force.
The Provisional Government was facing several problems at the time. Peasants demanded land, and the aristocracy who owned the land were gone. Workers in the cities were demanding food and the government had to decide wether to fight or make peace with the Triple Alliance. They also had to contain the spread of the revolutionaries’ influence. Most of all, the government needed to maintain the loyalty of the army.
The Provisional Government attempted to solve these problems. They promised land reforms, but gave no date. They could not guarantee food supplies as the Petrograd Soviet controlled the railways and only some got through. If the Provisional Government was seen as having solved the food crisis, popular support would move away from the Soviets, and the Soviets obviously wanted to prevent this, which is why they placed restrictions on the Provisional Government. The Provisional Government also promised political reform in an attempt to stop revolutionaries. However, they failed to take any positive action: if the revolutionaries entered the Provisional Government, they would have they would have the power to make impossible demands, which if unmet, would give them the power to overthrow the Provisional Government. Troops in Petrograd were under the control of the Soviets because of Order No. 1, and the government wanted to control the war, but the troops only answered to and obeyed the Soviets. The Soviets wanted the troops to maintain order in Petrograd and possibly overthrow the Provisional Government.
As a result, the peasants were angry with the Provisional Government. The government then had to start seizing land from the peasants, as the peasants refused to sell food because they were angry at the government because of the lack of land reforms. The government seized the land to start selling food and this took the food away from the peasants. The workers joined the Bolsheviks, so they would get a response to their pleas for political reform and food. As a result, the Bolsheviks and other groups gathered more support. The government was losing control of the Petrograd Soviet and the Soviet took control of important things.
Bolshevik Seizure of Power
The October Revolution
The Bolsheviks won control of the Petrograd Soviet in September. In October, Trotsky became chairman of the Soviet and Lenin returned. The Bolshevik revolution took place from October 24 to 26 and they took control of the Provisional Government in an almost bloodless coup.
When the Bolsheviks took control of the Provisional Government, they issued their first decrees:
The Bolsheviks won control of the Petrograd Soviet in September. In October, Trotsky became chairman of the Soviet and Lenin returned. The Bolshevik revolution took place from October 24 to 26 and they took control of the Provisional Government in an almost bloodless coup.
When the Bolsheviks took control of the Provisional Government, they issued their first decrees:
- Land - land taken form the church and nobility and given to the peasants. The land had not yet been taken by the state.
- Factories - all factories put under control of worker’s committees
- Press - all non-Bolshevik publications were banned
The Role of Trotsky
Trotsky was a pivotal figure in the November Revolution. He organized the takeover of Petrograd. He claimed that the Bolsheviks were successful because the soldiers of the Petrograd garrison did not side with the provisional government. He became People’s Commissar for External Affairs and was Defense Minister from March 1918, and largely responsible for Red Army’s success in the Civil War. A great organizer and motivator, he was seen by many as the natural successor to Lenin but was too arrogant, detached and an old Menshevik.
Trotsky was a pivotal figure in the November Revolution. He organized the takeover of Petrograd. He claimed that the Bolsheviks were successful because the soldiers of the Petrograd garrison did not side with the provisional government. He became People’s Commissar for External Affairs and was Defense Minister from March 1918, and largely responsible for Red Army’s success in the Civil War. A great organizer and motivator, he was seen by many as the natural successor to Lenin but was too arrogant, detached and an old Menshevik.
Popular Uprising
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Coup D'état
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Bolshevik Seizure of Power
The Sovnarkom was the government that Lenin set up in November 1917. Soviets in Russia joined the revolution and took control of towns and cities after the Bolshevik takeover. Nearly all of Russia was in Soviet hands by the end of 1917. However, most peasants in the countryside still supported the Social Revolutionaries and not all soviets were controlled by the Bolsheviks. The Provisional Government was also still active, having arranged for elections for a new parliament, called the Constituent Assembly, where the Socialist Revolutionaries did win more votes then the Bolsheviks. On top of all of this, Lenin would have to keep the promises he had openly made in his April Theses. The Sovnarkom issued a series of decrees in November and December 1917. The November decrees were:
The Sovnarkom was the government that Lenin set up in November 1917. Soviets in Russia joined the revolution and took control of towns and cities after the Bolshevik takeover. Nearly all of Russia was in Soviet hands by the end of 1917. However, most peasants in the countryside still supported the Social Revolutionaries and not all soviets were controlled by the Bolsheviks. The Provisional Government was also still active, having arranged for elections for a new parliament, called the Constituent Assembly, where the Socialist Revolutionaries did win more votes then the Bolsheviks. On top of all of this, Lenin would have to keep the promises he had openly made in his April Theses. The Sovnarkom issued a series of decrees in November and December 1917. The November decrees were:
- decree on land - 540 million acres of land taken from the tsar, the nobles, the Church and other landlords. Peasants to set up committees to divide the land fairly.
- decree on unemployment insurance - employment insurance to be introduced for all workers against injury, illness and unemployment
- decree on peace - Sovnarkom intended to make peace immediately with Russia’s opponents in the war
- decree on work - an eight-hour workday and a 40-hour week for all industrial workers to be introduced. There were restrictions on overtime and there was to be holiday entitlement for workers.
- decree on titles - all titles and class distinctions were abolished. Women were declared equal to men.
- decree on the press - all non-Bolshevik newspapers were banned
- decree on workers’ control - all factories to be placed under the control of elected committees of workers
- decree to set up the political police - the ‘All Russian Extraordinary Commission to fight Counter-Revolution and Espionage’ was formed - this became known as the Cheka
- decree on political parties - Russia’s main liberty party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, was banned
- decree on banking - all banks in Russia came under Sovnarkom’s control
- decree on marriage - couples were permitted to have non-religious weddings and divorce was made easier
The Sovnarkom
Council of the People’s Commissionars: the Bolshevik Governing Body (30-40 members) set up after the October Revolution of 1917. Sovnarkom was the body responsible for the implementation of policies. The key positions in the Sovnarkom were:
Decrees issued by the Sovnarkom included:
Council of the People’s Commissionars: the Bolshevik Governing Body (30-40 members) set up after the October Revolution of 1917. Sovnarkom was the body responsible for the implementation of policies. The key positions in the Sovnarkom were:
- Chairman - Lenin
- Commissar for Foreign Affairs - Trotsky, then Chicherin in February 1918
- Commissar for War - Trotsky from February 1918
- Commissar for Internal Affairs - Rykov then Dzerzhinsky
- Commissar for Nationalities - Stalin
- Commissar for Social Welfare - Alexandra Kollantai
- Commissar for Popular Enlightenment (education and culture) - Lunacharsky
Decrees issued by the Sovnarkom included:
- land decree - gave peasants the right to take over the estates of the gentry, without compensation, then divide it. The Bolsheviks did not want this.
- workers control decree - factory committees given the right to control production and finance in workplaces and to supervise management. Bolsheviks did not want this but could not resist the workers.
- rights of the people of Russia decree - gave self-determination to national minorities. The Bolsheviks did not have the control of the areas where most of these people lived, so it was just a paper measure.
The Politburo
The Politburo was responsible for guiding party and governmental decisions, formed in 1917. In October 1921, it became clear to Lenin, as he acquainted himself with the activities of his Politburo colleagues, that they were acting like a ruling clique and intended to oust him from power. This was confirmed when Lenin discovered that as soon as he withdrew from the Politburo meetings, which he often had to leave early because of exhaustion, they would pass vital resolutions which he would only learn about next day. Soon, Lenin ordered that Politburo meetings were not to go on for more than three hours.
The Politburo was responsible for guiding party and governmental decisions, formed in 1917. In October 1921, it became clear to Lenin, as he acquainted himself with the activities of his Politburo colleagues, that they were acting like a ruling clique and intended to oust him from power. This was confirmed when Lenin discovered that as soon as he withdrew from the Politburo meetings, which he often had to leave early because of exhaustion, they would pass vital resolutions which he would only learn about next day. Soon, Lenin ordered that Politburo meetings were not to go on for more than three hours.
Timeline of Bolshevik Seizure of Power (1917)
- 27 February - troops refuse to fire on mass demonstrations in Petrograd; the Petrograd Soviet meets
- 2 March - Nicholas II abdicates; Provisional Government formed from former Duma under Kerensky
- 3 April - Lenin arrives in Petrograd; calls on the soviet to seize power and promises the Bolsheviks will bring 'peace, land and bread' as part of his April Theses
- 16 June - the Provisional Government's new offensive, the June Offensive, fails
- 3 July - Kerensky becomes Prime Minister
- 6 July - Bolshevik uprising, 'The July Days', fails; many Bolsheviks imprisoned
- 1 September - Kornilov's attempted coup fails; Kerensky arms the Petrograd Soviet and releases Bolshevik prisoners to fight Kornilov
- 25 October - Bolsheviks seize key points within Petrograd; Kerensky flees
- 26 October - last members of Provisional Government arrested. Lenin declares victory for the revolution of workers, soldiers and peasants.
Main Features of Bolshevik Rule
The Pravda
Lenin established the Pravda as the newspaper of the Bolshevik Party with money from Gorky. Stalin was a contributor and Bukharin was an editor. The Pravda was used for propaganda against the Constituent Assembly (i.e. because there were soviets in Russia, there was no need for the Assembly).
Lenin established the Pravda as the newspaper of the Bolshevik Party with money from Gorky. Stalin was a contributor and Bukharin was an editor. The Pravda was used for propaganda against the Constituent Assembly (i.e. because there were soviets in Russia, there was no need for the Assembly).
The Cheka
The Cheka was the main instrument of terror set up by Lenin on 7th December 1917. It provided dependable security, and brought units of the Red Guard and military units under its control. It was an effective mechanism for dealing with any opposition and grew rapidly.
The Cheka was the main instrument of terror set up by Lenin on 7th December 1917. It provided dependable security, and brought units of the Red Guard and military units under its control. It was an effective mechanism for dealing with any opposition and grew rapidly.
The Constituent Assembly
Lenin thought he would be excluded from any socialist coalition that formed. Socialist groups would not work with him because of his personality and previous actions. Other Bolshevik leaders would have participated in a socialist coalition. Lenin did not want his vision of his world order to be diluted by socialists. The Bolsheviks and the left-wing Social Revolutionaries proposed that the Constituent Assembly be dissolved. This proposal was defeated and Lenin gave the order to dissolve it less than 24 hours after it met on 18th January 1918.
Lenin thought he would be excluded from any socialist coalition that formed. Socialist groups would not work with him because of his personality and previous actions. Other Bolshevik leaders would have participated in a socialist coalition. Lenin did not want his vision of his world order to be diluted by socialists. The Bolsheviks and the left-wing Social Revolutionaries proposed that the Constituent Assembly be dissolved. This proposal was defeated and Lenin gave the order to dissolve it less than 24 hours after it met on 18th January 1918.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Lenin was forced to propose peace to the Germans as they advanced. Trotsky concluded the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which extracted Russia from war with Germany: Lenin sent Trotsky as Russia’s representative to peace talks with Germany. Trotsky and his negotiating team tried to prolong the talks as long as possible, because they believed that the workers in central Europe were on the brink of revolution. When this revolution came, the war would end and then Germany and Russia would make a fair peace.The terms of the Treaty were incredibly harsh towards Russia and Lenin was heavily criticized by many Bolsheviks. The arrival of US troops and the failure of the German Spring Offensive led to the end of the war and the Treaty became meaningless. One of the reasons that the Treaty of Versailles was so harsh towards Germany was because Germany had imposed such harsh terms upon Russia.
Lenin was forced to propose peace to the Germans as they advanced. Trotsky concluded the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which extracted Russia from war with Germany: Lenin sent Trotsky as Russia’s representative to peace talks with Germany. Trotsky and his negotiating team tried to prolong the talks as long as possible, because they believed that the workers in central Europe were on the brink of revolution. When this revolution came, the war would end and then Germany and Russia would make a fair peace.The terms of the Treaty were incredibly harsh towards Russia and Lenin was heavily criticized by many Bolsheviks. The arrival of US troops and the failure of the German Spring Offensive led to the end of the war and the Treaty became meaningless. One of the reasons that the Treaty of Versailles was so harsh towards Germany was because Germany had imposed such harsh terms upon Russia.
The Civil War
The Civil War took place between the Reds (the communist Bolsheviks) and the Whites and the Greens. All of the Whites were pro-Tsar but anti-Communist. They did not want to go back to the system where the Tsar was in charge. Rather, they wanted a representative Duma. Some of the Whites were made up of foreign forces like Britain, France, America and some Japanese. These nations sent troops to Russia to fight for the Whites. The Greens were a minor group who were against the Reds. They were made up of national minorities who saw an opportunity to establish their independence from Russia. If the Bolsheviks were weak and could be attacked on many fronts, then independence was a possibility.
The Civil War took place between the Reds (the communist Bolsheviks) and the Whites and the Greens. All of the Whites were pro-Tsar but anti-Communist. They did not want to go back to the system where the Tsar was in charge. Rather, they wanted a representative Duma. Some of the Whites were made up of foreign forces like Britain, France, America and some Japanese. These nations sent troops to Russia to fight for the Whites. The Greens were a minor group who were against the Reds. They were made up of national minorities who saw an opportunity to establish their independence from Russia. If the Bolsheviks were weak and could be attacked on many fronts, then independence was a possibility.
The Role of Trotsky
The Red Army was ably led by Trotsky. Conscription was introduced for men aged 18-40, and Trotsky was given the job of organizing the enlarged Red Army. Trotsky’s army did not have enough officers and so he cleverly recruited former officers of the tsar’s army. There were about 22,000 such officers, who were often blackmailed into fighting for the Bolsheviks. The Red Army eventually had some 5 million troops. His bold proclamations during the Civil War also helped secure Bolshevik success:
Trotsky had been a leading figure in the revolution and his strategic skills gave him authority. He worked endless hours and travelled backwards and forwards to raise morale and determination of the troops. However, he was an enforcer of ruthless discipline.
The Red Army was ably led by Trotsky. Conscription was introduced for men aged 18-40, and Trotsky was given the job of organizing the enlarged Red Army. Trotsky’s army did not have enough officers and so he cleverly recruited former officers of the tsar’s army. There were about 22,000 such officers, who were often blackmailed into fighting for the Bolsheviks. The Red Army eventually had some 5 million troops. His bold proclamations during the Civil War also helped secure Bolshevik success:
- Anyone who joins the army of the enemies of the people commits a serious crime.
- All those forced to join the ranks of the hostile armies must defect to the side of the Soviet troops where they will be guaranteed a full pardon.
- Those peasants and workers who have sold themselves to the Whites and do not lay down their arms will be shot. All their property will be handed over to Red Army men and the families of fallen soldiers.
- The word of the Soviet power is firm. Its punishment is severe. Give everything to the defense of Soviet power!
Trotsky had been a leading figure in the revolution and his strategic skills gave him authority. He worked endless hours and travelled backwards and forwards to raise morale and determination of the troops. However, he was an enforcer of ruthless discipline.
Red strengths
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White weaknesses
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War Communism
The policy of communism adopted by Lenin during the Civil War. Lenin found himself on the losing side of a Civil War so he modified communism to make sure he won the war. Under war communism, the army was favored rather than the population as a whole so the army was given priority when it came to distribution of resources:
War Communism was successful because it supplied the Red Army with food and enabled victory over the Whites. However, the policy failed to create the utopian communist state that Lenin had originally planned. Peasants and workers, the people who had put the Bolsheviks in power in the first place, were both opposed to the new policy.
The greatest challenge over war communism was the Kronstadt Naval Rebellion in 1921, when thousands of sailors protested against the Communist Party and said they wanted power back with the soviets. The Sailors in the Kronstadt naval base had been great supporters of the Bolsheviks in 1917 but had become disenchanted with the results of War Communism. They made demands, set up a separate soviet. The rebellion was cruelly put down by troops led by Trotsky. 20,000 men were killed or wounded during the fighting. Survivors were executed by the Cheka or imprisoned. The rebellion helped influence Lenin to introduce the NEP. In March 1921, War Communism was abandoned and the New Economic Policy was introduced in its place.
The policy of communism adopted by Lenin during the Civil War. Lenin found himself on the losing side of a Civil War so he modified communism to make sure he won the war. Under war communism, the army was favored rather than the population as a whole so the army was given priority when it came to distribution of resources:
- Food was to be strictly rationed in cities, especially during shortages
- Private trading was banned; peasants had to give surplus food to the government
- The state now owned factories with more than ten workers
- Rapid inflation led to trade with goods rather than money
War Communism was successful because it supplied the Red Army with food and enabled victory over the Whites. However, the policy failed to create the utopian communist state that Lenin had originally planned. Peasants and workers, the people who had put the Bolsheviks in power in the first place, were both opposed to the new policy.
The greatest challenge over war communism was the Kronstadt Naval Rebellion in 1921, when thousands of sailors protested against the Communist Party and said they wanted power back with the soviets. The Sailors in the Kronstadt naval base had been great supporters of the Bolsheviks in 1917 but had become disenchanted with the results of War Communism. They made demands, set up a separate soviet. The rebellion was cruelly put down by troops led by Trotsky. 20,000 men were killed or wounded during the fighting. Survivors were executed by the Cheka or imprisoned. The rebellion helped influence Lenin to introduce the NEP. In March 1921, War Communism was abandoned and the New Economic Policy was introduced in its place.
New Economic Policy
The NEP was an economic policy adopted to boost the Russia economy. It was one of the changes made when war communism was adopted. Communism originally had a planned economy but Lenin allowed a free market economy with the NEP, which embedded an element of capitalism into Leninism.
Farmers were allowed to own collective farms and people were allowed to own private property. Peasants would still have to give a fixed amount of grain to the government, but they could sell their surplus for profit again. Peasants who increased their food production would pay less tax so they had a very good reason to work hard and they did so: the harvest of 1922 was 22 million tonnes of grain, and 73 million tonnes in 1923. Factories with less than 20 workers were given back to their owners. Consumer goods could once again be bought and sold for profit. The value of money was high enough again so people could use it and a new rouble was introduced. However, key industries such as coal and steel remained under state control. There were two main groups who benefited from the policy:
However, the introduction of the NEP seemed to be a return to capitalism, a system based on self-interest where the rich made money out of the poor. It provided more consumer goods but did nothing to increase production at steel works, power stations or factories. unemployment rose sharply because factories cut some of their workforce to cut costs. Also, the price of industrial goods increased greatly because factories began to sell their products at higher prices to make a better profit and to compete with other factories.
The NEP was an economic policy adopted to boost the Russia economy. It was one of the changes made when war communism was adopted. Communism originally had a planned economy but Lenin allowed a free market economy with the NEP, which embedded an element of capitalism into Leninism.
Farmers were allowed to own collective farms and people were allowed to own private property. Peasants would still have to give a fixed amount of grain to the government, but they could sell their surplus for profit again. Peasants who increased their food production would pay less tax so they had a very good reason to work hard and they did so: the harvest of 1922 was 22 million tonnes of grain, and 73 million tonnes in 1923. Factories with less than 20 workers were given back to their owners. Consumer goods could once again be bought and sold for profit. The value of money was high enough again so people could use it and a new rouble was introduced. However, key industries such as coal and steel remained under state control. There were two main groups who benefited from the policy:
- “NEPmen" - businessmen who benefited from the NEP by taking advantage of private trade and small-scale manufacturing
- Kulaks - farmers who became rich because of the semi-privatization that happened with the NEP
However, the introduction of the NEP seemed to be a return to capitalism, a system based on self-interest where the rich made money out of the poor. It provided more consumer goods but did nothing to increase production at steel works, power stations or factories. unemployment rose sharply because factories cut some of their workforce to cut costs. Also, the price of industrial goods increased greatly because factories began to sell their products at higher prices to make a better profit and to compete with other factories.