Bolsheviks Flashcards
What problems did the provisional government face? (8)
- Petrograd soviet
- Other soviets being set up
- National minorities demanded independence
- Defeats of WW1
- Weren’t an elected/representative body
- Soldiers deserting
- Food shortages
- Peasants stealing from their landlords
What were the provisional governments aims?
- Create a constitution and a democratic government
2. Survival as leader
What actions did the provisional government take? (7)
- Freedom of religion
- Secret police abolished
- Freedom of speech
- 8 hour day introduced
- Recognition of trade unions
- Continuation of the war
Why did the provisional governments position become impossible? (4)
- Failing war effort
- Return of Lenin
- The July days
- The kornilov revolt
Why did the failing war effort make the PG position impossible?
Russian forces suffered c.100 000 casualties
Thousands of soldiers were deserting and land seizures were common
Why did the return of Lenin make the PG position impossible?
Sent by Germans with money
Lenin made popular bread peace land slogan
Bolsheviks support increased as Lenin was very popular
Why did the July days make the PG position impossible?
Bolshevik protests turned into an open rebellion
Kerensky revealed Lenin was sent by Germans
Kerensky crushed protestors
What was the kornilov revolt?
Kerensky had just crushed protestors
But Bolsheviks still had mass support
Sep 1917: general kornilov marched troops into Moscow
Kerensky armed the Bolsheviks for protection which stopped the troops
Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?
Lenin returned from hiding Bolsheviks took over City on 7th November (having been armed by Kerensky) They took control of: Bridges Main telegraph office Railway stations Power stations
So Kerensky left the city
What were the November decrees?
5
- Maximum 8 hour day
- Employment instance introduced
- Titles and class distinctions abolished
- Women declared equal to men
- All non Bolshevik newspapers banned
Why did the Bolsheviks win the Russian civil war?
White weaknesses
Red terror and war communism
Red military strengths
What were the white weaknesses?
5
- Weren’t united, we’re made up of different groups with different aims
- Widely spread so were unable to coordinate their campaigns
- Only had limited support from the Russian population
- Unpopular with the peasants as caused them much suffering
- Weren’t a strong alliance
What was red terror and war communism?
WAR COMMUNISM= harsh economic measures the Bolsheviks adopted
RED TERROR:
Res army soldier’s families held hostage
Brutal to peasants
Took food from peasants for army
Food was rationed which Led to huge famine
What were the red military strengths? (7)
- United and disciplined
- Had all internal lines of communication
- Had many Territorials advantages
- Had control of trains(well supplied)
- Had experienced commanders
- Had control of factories(well supplied)
- Well led by Trotsky
Why was war communism unsuccessful?
Peasants refused to cooperate in producing food
This led to food shortages and a terrible famine
7 million Russians died
