The Government under Lenin Flashcards
The aims of Lenin’s government
- Establishment of a socialist state
- Nationalisation of industry
- Redistribution of wealth
- Promotion of education and literacy
- Internationalism
Establishment of a socialist state
Lenin aimed to establish a socialist state in Russia that would be based on the principles of Marxism
The socialist state would be a dictatorship of the proletariat, with workers and peasants in control of the government and the means of production
Nationalisation of industry
Lenin’s government aimed to nationalise all industries and land in Russia, so that they would be owned and controlled by the state
This was seen as a necessary step towards building a socialist economy that would benefit all the people, rather than just the wealthy elites
Redistribution of wealth
Lenin’s government aimed to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, in order to reduce inequality and create a more equal society
This was achieved through policies such as progressive taxation and the nationalisation of industry and land
Promotion of education and literacy
Lenin believed that education was essential for building a socialist society, and his government invested heavily in education and literacy programs
This was seen as a way to empower the working classes and to ensure that they had the skills and knowledge necessary to participate fully in society
Internationalism
Lenin’s government aimed to spread the socialist revolution beyond Russia and to support other socialist and anti-colonial movements around the world
This was seen as a way to create a global socialist community that would eventually replace capitalism and imperialism
What was the Sovnarkom?
The Sovnarkom was the Council of People’s Commissars, the highest executive and administrative body of the Soviet government established after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
Who headed the Sovnarkom?
Vladimir Lenin was the first chairman of the Sovnarkom, and he held the position until his death in 1924
What was the role of the Sovnarkom?
The Sovnarkom was responsible for implementing government policies and carrying out the day-to-day administration of the country
How was the Sovnarkom organized?
The Sovnarkom consisted of a group of people’s commissars, or ministers, who were appointed by the chairman
Each commissar was responsible for a particular area of government, such as industry, agriculture, or foreign affairs.
What was the relationship between the Sovnarkom and the Bolshevik Party?
The Bolshevik Party was the ruling party in Russia, and its members held key positions in the Sovnarkom
The party provided guidance and direction to the Sovnarkom, and its policies were implemented by the government
What was the impact of the Sovnarkom on Russia?
The Sovnarkom played a key role in implementing Lenin’s policies and establishing the Soviet Union
It helped to create a centralized government that controlled all aspects of life in Russia, and it laid the foundations for the socialist state that would dominate the country for the next 70 years
What popular decrees did Lenin and his government pass in the first instance?
- the Decree on Land (October 1917)
- the Decree of Peace
- Workers’ Decrees (November 1917)
- the Decree of Workers’ Control (April 1918)
the Decree on Land (October 1917)
It gave peasants the right to seize land from the nobility and the Church
the Decree of Peace (October 1917)
A law which committed the new government to withdrawing from the First World War and seeking peace
Workers’ Decrees
A law which established an eight-hour maximum working day and a minimum wage
the Decree of Workers’ Control
A law which allowed workers to elect committees to run factories
What was the Russian Civil War?
The Russian Civil War was a conflict that took place in Russia between 1918 and 1922, following the Bolshevik Revolution and the overthrow of the Russian Provisional Government
The war was fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and a loose coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces known as the White Army
What were the causes of the Russian Civil War?
The causes of the Russian Civil War were numerous and complex, but some of the main factors included political instability, economic crisis, social unrest, and foreign intervention
The war was also fuelled by ideological differences between the Bolsheviks, who were committed to building a socialist society, and their opponents, who wanted to preserve traditional social, economic, and political structures.
Who were the major factions in the Russian Civil War?
The major factions in the Russian Civil War were the Bolshevik Red Army, led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, and the anti-Bolshevik White Army, which was made up of a diverse array of political groups, including monarchists, liberals, social democrats, and nationalists
How did the Russian Civil War end?
The Russian Civil War ended in 1922, when the Bolsheviks emerged victorious and established the Soviet Union as a socialist state
The White Army was defeated and many of its leaders fled Russia, while others were executed or imprisoned
The war had a devastating impact on Russia, leading to the deaths of millions of people and causing widespread destruction
What were some of the major battles and campaigns of the Russian Civil War?
The Russian Civil War was characterized by a series of battles and campaigns that took place across the country
Some of the major battles included the Battle of Tsaritsyn, the Siege of Petrograd, and the Battle of Warsaw
The war also saw the emergence of guerrilla warfare and the use of terror tactics by both sides
What was the impact of the Russian Civil War?
The Civil War led to the creation of a “party-state” and, as a result of the Civil War, the state became increasingly authoritarian and centralised
Lenin’s prime method of ensuring victory in the Russian Civil War was to…
centralise power
How did Lenin centralise power during the Russian Civil War?
- He centralised control of the economy with the policy of War Communism
- He also relied on political centralisation, working through the loyal Party nomenklatura rather than the more democratic soviets, and using terror to suppress opposition
- Trotsky, leader of the Red Army, made the Red Army more authoritarian. He introduced conscription, harsh punishments and relied on former Tsarist generals to lead the army
