Bolshevik consolidation of power

Question 1

What were the five main ways the Bolsheviks managed to stay in power?

Answer 1

1. Weak opposition.
2. Collapse of the army.
3. Workers and peasants were distracted.
4. Attacks on opposition.
5. Concessions to urban workers and peasants.

Question 2

Why was the weak opposition an advantage for the Bolsheviks?

Answer 2

Unable to co-ordinate any action against the government.

No serious contender to challenge the Bolsheviks.

Question 3

What did the collapse of the army mean for the Bolsheviks?

Answer 3

Officers had no loyal troops that could attack the Bolsheviks.

Question 4

Why were the workers and peasants less of a threat?

Answer 4

Workers were focused on keeping factories running and their jobs.
The peasants were only concerned with land, and the cities were largely irrelevant to them.

Question 5

What did the Bolshevik attacks on opposition mean?

Answer 5

Closed down opposition press.
Arrested key figures in other political parties.
Set up Cheka to make arrests and deal with demonstrators and protestors.

Question 6

What did the concessions to peasants and workers mean?

Answer 6

Lenin gave workers and peasants what they wanted.
The peasants got their land.
Workers got 8 hour working days.
They withdrew from the war.