New Leaders And Ideologies Flashcards
When was the October Revolution and what did it create
1917- a new Bolsheviks government who act first and justify later
Who did the Bolsheviks wish to influence by the revolution, how where they wrong
Wished that Germany would follow in their lead as they were in a good position for a revolution. Russia wanted peace with Germany, despite knowing that peace would only strengthen the government they wished to destroy
What did Trotsky began after the cease fire, what did it lead to
Trotsky began peace negotiations in December 1917, this led to Germany demanding large parts of Russia’s land
How was the Bolsheviks split after the 1917 revolution
What did Lenin want
Bukharin vs Trotsky
Bukharin- revolutionary war groups. Need for unity over ideology. Wanted to peruse war and spread communism but this would go against what the Bolsheviks had promised.
Trotsky- wanted neither peace nor war.
Lenin had a pragmatic view and argued to accept the German terms
What was the negative outcome of the October revolution
What did this set direction for
The treaty of Brest- Litovsk signed March 3rd 1918. After Lenin threatened twice to resign.
Set direction for “socialism at home” taking priority over spread of international revolution. Set foundation for statins later “soviet first” approach.
What approach did Lenin wish to take with the Bolshevik party and there ruling
A conventional Marxist view “hands of the people”. His slogan “all power to the soviets”
In his book “state and revolution” Lenin suggested how the people would see the government in their interests and support it. It also suggested the people managing their own affairs and a reduction in state bureaucracy.
What did Lenin do to support his “ all power to the soviets” slogan
How can it be argued that Lenin had little choice in this
Lenin’s land decrees (October)
Control in factories (November)
Peasants were already seizing land and workers already taking over factories.
How was the government initial ran after the abdication of Nicholas II
The Petrograd soviet shared powers with the provisional government in 1917
What did Lenin create when they Bolsheviks took over
What did this show
The Bolshevik only Sovnarkom
That Lenin had no intention on sharing power with other soviets particularly the Mensheviks and social revolutionaries despite their shared Marxist heritage.
How did the sovnarkom rule
Ruled by decree without seeking approval of the soviets. They met once or twice a day and the soviet met less frequently.
How long did the Soviet remain to meet?
Despite the sovnarkom, who kept their power
Until the 1930’s although they had little influence
The local soviets still kept their power but followed a new Bolshevik/ communists power structure
Who did Lenin allow to join the sovnarkom, why was this changed
Allowed some left wing SR’s to join in November but followed was protests for purely Bolsheviks only, zinoviev and kamenev resigned temporarily as they favoured a broad socialist governement
What evidence shows that there was disagreement towards the one party state
Why did Lenin not want this
Petitions from factories and army demanded a more broad socialist government and the railway men strike in November showed the want for a democratic government
Lenin feared that other socialists leaders would not work with him and would dilute his vision for he future
Why was the dispersal of the constituent Assemble in January 1918 significant
Showed Lenin’s vision for a one party state, furthermore showed his lack of tolerance for opposition when civilians demonstrated against the action and were fired at leaving 12 dead.
How did Lenin justify the dispersal of the constituent assemble
Lenin write in state and revolution that in order to provide dictatorship of the proletariat there needs to be a strong party. Lenin claimed that the Bolsheviks were working in coalition with the SR’s and this was a highly form of democracy.
However the shallow attempt of justification was shown when the coalition broke up.
