7 - Changes Under The Bolsheviks 1918-1924

Question 1

What helped the Bolsheviks achieve totalitarianism (supreme control in the hands of one party)?

Answer 1

• The suppression of the constituent assembly: Opposition parties were not given a say in political decisions, the Bolsheviks were never influenced in making decisions
• The Cheka: Forcefully eliminated any opposition planning to rebel against the Bolsheviks, also instilled fear
• The Civil War: Bolsheviks were victorious against all other parties - a powerful statement
• The Politburo: Was a decision- making body consisting of only Bolsheviks, made all key decisions and had complete control of the government
• Lenin: Was a strong leader who always had a strong government, and made fast and decisive decisions.

Question 2

What was war communism?

Answer 2

War communism was a method of controlling the economy to support the needs of the Red Army, in order to win the Civil War. All vital resources were directed towards the army.

Question 3

What did war communism involve?

Answer 3

• Rationing of food in cities
• Private trading was banned, requisition squads were sent in to seize food from peasants if they refused to give up their produce
• Factories with more than ten workers were controlled by the state (nationalised)
• People traded goods instead of money, as money became valueless due to inflation

Question 4

Why did war communism fail?

Answer 4

• Many peasants were unwilling to give up their grain due to such large food shortages and grew less crop to reduce agricultural output. They resisted food requisitioning with force.
• The Bolsheviks started to take grain for the next harvest, which led to widespread famine, 7 million peasants and workers died. This created unpopularity amongst the Bolsheviks, they lost much of the support they had gained.

Question 5

What was the significance of the Kronstadt Mutiny?

Answer 5

With one of the Bolsheviks’ most loyal partners turning against them as they believed their beliefs were not aligned, as Kronstadt did not believe the Soviets represented the people anymore and wanted the dictatorship of the Bolsheviks to end, Lenin realised that War Communism was losing them much of their support. Hence, he introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Question 6

What was did the NEP involve?

Answer 6

• Peasants would have to give a fixed amount of grain to the government, but could sell surplus for profit.
• Peasants who increased food production could pay less tax
• Factories with fewer than 20 workers were given back to owners to be allowed to make profit
• A new rouble was introduced so money could be used
• Electrification occurred around Russia, Lenin believed it was the key to economic growth

Question 7

What were the reactions to the NEP?

Answer 7

There were ongoing debates about the NEP, as many argued that it went against the principles established from the October Revolution, as there were hints of capitalism within it.

Question 8

Who were the Nepmen?

Answer 8

Private traders, who collected produce such as grain, and clothes and shoes from workshops, to sell in markets for a profit

Question 9

What was the Scissors Crisis of 1923?

Answer 9

So much food was flooding into the cities that prices started to drop, but industrial goods rose as they were in short supply. The widening gap between the industrial and agricultural goods was like the open blades of a pair of scissors, according to Trotsky