GROUPS Flashcards
(15 cards)
bolsheviks
The Bolsheviks were a member of the wing of the social democratic workers party which was led by Vladimir Lenin. They seized control of the government in Russia and became the dominant political power. They destroyed the traditional tsarist rule. They became the communist party of the Soviet Union. They overthrew the provisional government of Kerensky.
Mensheviks
Were a Russian Revolutionary group who that followed the theories of Karl Marx. They began as part of the Social Democratic Labor Party, and formed officially after the party split in 1903 after issues of membership and organisation. They were a left wing faction.
Socialist Revolutionaries
They were a major party in political late imperial Russia, and in Russian Revolution and early Soviet Russia. They had a philosophy within socialism that the idea that a social revolution is necessary to bring about structural changes in society. They mainly fought for Peasants rights, and that Peasants should have ownership over their lands.
Zemstvo
Was an institution of local government set up during the great emancipation reform of 1861 in Russia which was ruled by Emperor Alexander II of Russia. The first Zemstvo laws went into effect in 1864. in 1917 after the October Revolution, the Zemstvo system was shut down by the Bolsheviks and replaced with a system of workers and peasants councils.
Kadets
Were members of a Russian political party advocating a radical change in Russian government towards a constitutional monarchy like Britain’s. It was found in October 1905 by the Union of Liberation. Other groups claimed attention and the Kadets lost strength. The Bolsheviks power declared the organisation illegal in 1917.
Peasants
The term peasant refers to people who lived and worked in rural areas. They could make their living as workers or traders. It took some nearly 20 years to obtain land. By 1900 85% of them lived in the country earning as living working on agriculture.
Orthodox Church
United in faith and by a common approach to theology, traditional and worship. Draw on elements of Greek, middle eastern, Russian and Slav culture. Orthodox also means right teachings. Developed from Christianity.
Cossacks
Also known as adventurer or free man, was a member of a people dwelling in the northern hinterlands of the Black and Caspian seas. They had a tradition of independence and finally received privileges from the Russian government in return for military services.
Proletariat
Was the social class of wage-earners, those members of society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labour power. They had no significant ownership of the means of production. Their only way to make income was to sell their labour.
Bourgeoisie
Known as the trading middle class. They were basically a class of capitalist, landowning and wealthy people. They were a counter revolutionary class which sought to enter into an agreement with the old Tsarist regime. They would export the proletariat.
Soviets
They were a former federal republic in Europe, and in the revolution of 1917 they achieved the overthrow of the Russian monarchy and the Soviet Union (the USSR) was established in 1922 as a communist state.
Okhrana
Also known as the guard and was a secret police force of the Russian Empire and part of the police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They were created in 1881 in response to the assassination of the Alexander II. It’s primary mission was to protect the tsar, royal family and Russian autocracy.
Cheka
Was the secret police of the bolsheviks in the early soviet union
Politburo
Was a 5 member executive committee of the communist party. Established in 1919. members included Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Kamenev, etc
SOVNARKOM
The government of Russia after the 1917 revolution. Comprised of Bolsheviks and some leftist social revolutionary party members. Lenin was chairman.
