Lenin's Role in the Consolidation of Power

Question 1

How did Lenin deal with the CA?

Answer 1

He agreed to let elections to the CA take place and for the CA to meet, before he would then close them down through force.

Question 2

What policy did Lenin adopt for the Civil War? Why was this important for Bolshevik victory in the Civil War?

Answer 2

War Communism - this allowed enough food to be requisitioned for the soldiers and workers, for the economy to be orientated to war interests and for urban disintegration to be slowed down enough to keep production going. Likewise, it reassured his supporters because it was a communist policy.

Question 3

What did Lenin increase to bring the arts into line?

Answer 3

Censorship e.g. the introduction of Glavlit in 1921

Question 4

Who did he continually support during the Civil War despite opposition from other party members and resignation attempts?

Answer 4

Trotsky

Question 5

What did Lenin threaten to resign over if it were not signed? Why was this an effective move for Bolshevik survival?

Answer 5

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Since it fulfilled a Bolshevik promise of peace which brought the party support. Likewise, it reduced the socio-economic problems which were exacerbated by the war.

Question 6

What did Lenin encourage to gain control of the banks in November 1917?

Answer 6

The Use of Force

Question 7

What popular decrees did Lenin introduce following the seizure of power?

Answer 7

The Decree on Land and the Decree on Workers’ Control
(Also- The Right to National Self-Determination, the Democratisation of the Army, the Freedom to Choose One’s Religion, Gender Equality)

Question 8

How many people queued to see Lenin’s bier over the 3 days it was there?

Answer 8

500,000

Question 9

How did the Civil War make the Bolshevik party more centralised?

Answer 9

• Party was purged of undesirables in 1919
• New recruits joined to improve life chances and were therefore more obedient
• Party lost proletariat base in the party
• There was less need for debate and discussion; decisions had to be made quickly
• Politburo (7-9 members) took over decision making from the Central Committee (40 members)
• Civil War had instilled military discipline in soldiers and workers who accepted taking orders and thrived off camaraderie

Question 10

What was party membership in 1917? 1924? 1925? 1929?

Answer 10

1917 = 10,000
1924 = 472,000
1925 = 801,804
1929 = 1,535,362