PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT Flashcards

Question

"The Constituent Assembly" | Lenin removed threat to Bolsheviks + SOVNARKOM

Answer 1

Elections = November 1917 SRs gained more seats than all the other parties combined = ***370/707 **MENSHEVIKS = 16 CADETS = 17 Lenin concerned most of votes from WORKING CLASSES of the cities + some nationalities (Finns and Estonians) were trying to break away = (disintegration of Russia) Lenin wrote Pravda article - as Soviets in Russia = no need for Constituent Assembly CS met, 18th January 1918 Bolsheviks + left-wing SRs - proposed power of Assembly is limited --> proposal defeated = Lenin dissolved Assembly Red Guards killed/wounded 100 demonstrators outside Tauride Palace 2 leaders of Cadets killed Lenin removed threat to Bolsheviks + SOVNARKOM

Answer 2

The Romanovs were imprisoned in a remote town in Siberia. The British royal family refused to sanction any rescue attempt The Tsar and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks to destroy any hopes that the monarchy could be restored. It used to be thought that local Bolsheviks killed the royal family on their own initiative, but more recent evidence has shown that Lenin gave the order.

Answer 3

Bolshevik support due to opposing war = to keep control, have to be peace settlement Prolongation of war = X army support Sovnarkom issued decree on peace (Nov.) = showed intention to end war Peace talk with Germany, 3rd December 1917 Trotsky sent - tried to prolong talks - believed workers in Europe were on brink of revolution If revolution = war end + Germany/Russia make fair peace

Answer 4

* ***TO GERMANY + ALLIES - Surrender 1 million square km of Baltic Sea + Ukraine (Russia's main grain source) - 3 billion in reparations * ***WHAT RUSSIA LOST - lost 50 million pop. - 27% of arable land - 26% of railways - 74% of iron + coal

Answer 5

Patriotic Russians horrified Giving away land = Russians joined anti-Bolshevik groups Why objected?: - Dictated nature of peace - L + T prepared to sacrifice national interest for peace - Amount of land + pop. lost - Amount of reparations Bukharin (editor of Sovnarkom) saw it as a shameful peace Lenin won debate in CENTRAL COMMITTEE - only by narrow margin

Answer 6

Make peace was gamble - agreed as assumed Germany lose war US troops on WESTERN FRONT + failure of GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE = Autumn 1918, war over - treaty meaningless Treaty significant = gave Lenin + government breathing space to consolidate itself

Answer 7

Food shortages/starvation - especially in cities + towns (highest population) = opposition ***March 1918 = bread ration lowest - 50g per day Hunger = industrial workers out of cities --> June 1918, ***Workforce in Petrograd = 60% less ***Pop. decline, 2-3 million

Answer 8

Faced opposition from different parts of Russian society - opposed reforms + decrees: - Decree on land = land from nobles + landlords + church --> so? supported Whites - Decreed on peace alienated nationalists - wanted war + objected land to Germans - Decree on Banking = bankers + industrialists lost wealth = against Bolsheviks

Answer 9

Faced opposition from different parts of Russian society - opposed reforms + decrees: - Decree on land = land from nobles + landlords + church --> so? supported Whites - Decreed on peace alienated nationalists - wanted war + objected land to Germans - Decree on Banking = bankers + industrialists lost wealth = against Bolsheviks

Answer 10

Dissolved = opposition SRs + CADETS accused Bolsheviks of seizing power by force = demanded re-callling of Assembly = supported Whites during Civil War

Answer 11

Dissolved = opposition SRs + CADETS accused Bolsheviks of seizing power by force = demanded re-calling of Assembly = supported Whites during Civil War

Answer 12

Opposition | Russians joined Anti-Bolshevik groups

Answer 13

Bolsheviks attacked by White armies: - General Yudenich, with British support, attacked from north-west/threatened Petrograd - General Deniken, supported by French, threatened south. - Admiral Kolchak, supported by British, attacked from east Generals Denikin/Wrangel in south: Denikin: – 150,000 men Summer 1918, besieging Tsaritsyn - city vital to Reds, why? Protect grain supplies and prevent link between southern and eastern white armies Denikin launched offensive June 1919, got 320km off Moscow, defeated, how? Red counterattack (led by Trotsky) defeated them White General Yudenich in the West: Yudenich – 15,000 men (smallest). Reached outskirts of Petrograd October 1919, supported by Estonian troops. Failed to secure Petrograd Railway, so? Allowed Bolsheviks to send reinforcements to save city. Bolsheviks secured armistice with Estonian forces, how? Give independence. White Admiral Kolchak in the east: Kolchak – 140,00 men. June 1919 captured Kazan and Samara. However - Autumn 1919 – Red Army forced Kolchak to retreat. Defeat cause? Red Army counterattacks, as well as differences/quarrels with Czechs. White General Miller in the North: Fled to Archangel, declared Governor-General of Norther Russia. May 1919, Kolchak declared him in charge of White army in the region where his ant-Bolshevik army was supported by British troops. Advance against Red Army along Northern Dvina River unsuccessful, so? British army withdrew. Evacuated to Norway February 1920. White General Semenov in the east: Siberian region supported by Japanese forces. Kolchak power to Semenov in Far East. Couldn’t control his forces in Siberia: stole, burned, murdered, raped civilians. July 1920 Japanese Expeditionary Corps withdrawal. Defeated October 1920.

Answer 14

``` 7 million deaths Economy in ruins Transport system collapse Grain production low = peasants hide surplus + famine --> more people dying of hunger than fighting Opposition to WAR COMMUNISM ```

Answer 15

Leader of L + T Control of railways Widespread support from peasants - propaganda War Communism + terror

Answer 16

Inspirational Provided leadership + direction Ruthless when conducting war = war communism + Cheka

Answer 17

Reds = 1 commander, 1 army (unlike Whites) COMMISSAR of War - inspire + rally men, discipline + professionalism --> create fighting force Trotsky: - restored CONSCRIPTION, 18-40 = **Red Army 5 million troops - brought former ***20,000 tsarist officers (unemployed + poor = willing). Ensure loyalty = kept families hostage - promoted talented soldiers - weren't officers in tsarist army - Bolshevik political commissar in army units = officers follow PARTY LINE - military discipline = death penalty for some - Armoured train Inspire + support - went to areas where fighting was fiercest. Decided strategy = defend RedAs internal lines of communication + deny Whites to concentrate large forces in 1 area

Answer 18

Reds = 1 commander, 1 army (unlike Whites) COMMISSAR of War - inspire + rally men, discipline + professionalism --> create fighting force Trotsky: ***- restored CONSCRIPTION, 18-40 = Red Army 5 million troops - brought former tsarist officers (unemployed + poor = willing). Ensure loyalty = kept families hostage - promoted talented soldiers - weren't officers in tsarist army - Bolshevik political commissar in army units = officers follow PARTY LINE - military discipline = death penalty for some Inspire + support - went to areas where fighting was fiercest. Decided strategy = defend RedAs internal lines of communication + deny Whites to concentrate large forces in 1 area

Answer 19

Occupied central area of Russia = travel shorter distances Central area: - Capital --> Moscow (railway hub). Railway: transport men + munition - Pop. in central areas = easy conscription - Main armament factories = produce raw materials + transport easily ***Had tsar's old ARSENAL = 2.2 million rifles + 12,000 field guns

Answer 20

War Communism = ruthless discipline in factories = increased production Largest rations to RED ARMY. Peasants hungry - resources to army CHEKA terrifying --> helped whites = no mercy

Answer 21

Crucial - peasants = main body of soldiers Support Bolsheviks, why?: - Decree on Land 1917 = peasant land, Whites = restore land to former owners -Whites brutality = peasants support Bolsheviks - ***E.g, Cossacks in White Army practised 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' ---> drove non-cossack peasants from their lands + treated brutally

Answer 22

Had purpose = Fighting for preservation of October Revolution + alongside L&T = high morale + dedication Propaganda: - Whites would take land from peasants - Foreign invaders were supporting Whites + would control Russia - Reds offered wonderful new society for peasants + workers

Answer 23

Different political parties Low morale - Could not agree if fighting for TSARISM or REPUBLICISM = hard to cooperate + X common aim - X coordinated military strategy - White general X trust = no working together = Trotsky deal with White army in turn --> X simultaneous attack - lost nationalist groups support - White wanted to restore Russian empire - SEPARATIST groups looking for independence

Answer 24

Cruel - treatment = similar to tsarist regime = little loyalty + desertion - Corruption + indiscipline. E.g. in Omsk, where Kolchak was based, uniform + munition were sold on black market Officers did cocaine + vodka

Answer 25

Scattered round edges os central area = : - Communication difficult = X transport men + ammunition - X coordinate attacks of various White armies - Central area under Bolsheviks + large pop. = areas under White - thinly populated = X conscript large armies - X railway control = use poor roads. No phone links = horseback for messages

Answer 26

- Lukewarm support - British gov. + public - French not keen - mutinies in French fleet in Black Sea - Japanese interested in grabbing territory - X fight - Gave Bolsheviks propaganda opportunity = defenders against foreign forces

Answer 27

Cheka: December 1917, Sovnarkom set up Cheka - ***100 -> 30,000 operatives, 1921 Remove opponents - members of other main political parties = arrested + removed from political activities, shoot deserters August 1918, Lenin assas. attempt = Dzerzhinsky began Red Terror = working against REVOLUTION - arrested + tortured + executed Red Terror: - Petrograd - ***800 enemies of state executed - cities, Cheka arrests random, e.g. acquaintance of suspect - More active in countryside = REQUISITION BRIGADES - Opponents imprisoned in CONCENTRATION + LABOUR CAMPS End of 1918, 50,000 people 'removed' by Cheka Climate of fear + terror created = difficult to criticise government --> Cheka enabled Lenin to retain power End of civil war = ***200,000 killed + 85,000 imprisoned by Cheka

Answer 28

Cheka: December 1917, Sovnarkom set up Cheka - ***100 -> 30,000 operatives, 1921 Remove opponents - members of other main political parties = arrested + removed from political activities, shoot deserters August 1918, Lenin assas. attempt = Dzerzhinsky began Red Terror = working against REVOLUTION - arrested + tortured + executed Red Terror: - Petrograd - ***800 enemies of state executed - cities, Cheka arrests random, e.g. acquaintance of suspect - More active in countryside = REQUISITION BRIGADES - Opponents imprisoned in CONCENTRATION + LABOUR CAMPS End of 1918, 50,000 people 'removed' by Cheka Climate of fear + terror created = difficult to criticise government --> Cheka enabled Lenin to retain power End of civil war = ***200,000 killed + 85,000 imprisoned by Cheka

Answer 29

Red Terror + political CENTRALISATION (POLITBURO) + economic centralisation = Lenin able to set up Dictatorship of Communist party

Answer 30

Communist party controlled government at every level - key officials + senior members = members of Communist Party Politburo = decision making of communist party 1919 Made all key decisions Met daily + consisted of 5 members chosen by the CENTRAL COMMITTEE of Bolshevik party Initially day-to-day decisions too urgent to wait for Central Committee debate --> major decisions

Answer 31

Need strong government - threats after October Revolution + Civil War Bolshevik Decrees + Bolshevik centralisation X believe democracy + convinced Bolshevik Party had duty to direct people - right to obedience from them During Civil War - quick decisions + central power needed = decision making concentrated on Lenin + Politburo

Answer 32

25th May 1922 - stroke = paralysed + unable to speak = X role in government for months --> Summer 1922 - Russia ruled by - Stalin + Zinoviev + Kamenev 15th December 1922, 2nd stroke 9th March 1923, 3rd stroke = complete loss of speech + wheelchair Died January 1924

Answer 33

March 1921, rebellion of sailors at naval base of Kronstadt against Bolshevik government - objected to way Communist Party taking power from SOVIETS Demands: - Present soviets X express will of workers + peasants - new elections - Freedom of speech + press, to workers + peasants - Freedom of Assembly + trade unions + peasants' associations - Political prisoners of SOCIALIST parties to be set free

Answer 34

***60,000 Red troops attacked the naval base 3-week struggle = ***20,000 men killed/wounded in fighting Surviving rebels = executed by Cheka or to GULAG March 1921, Lenin X War Communism - introduced NEP

Answer 35

- Rationing of food in cities - strictly applied during food shortages - Private trading banned = peasants X sell surplus food for profit - requisition squads to countryside to seize food - Factories - more than 10 people = nationalised = state can decide how much was produced in each industry Industry controlled by VESENKHA - reported directly to Sovnarkhom - the COUNCIL OF PEOPLE'S COMMISSARS Autumn 1918 - ***80% enterprises = controlled by government - Rapid inflation = money valueless = people bartered

Answer 36

Red Army supplied with weapons + food - fight effectively - War Communism supplied Red Army Peasants + workers = unpopular - widespread starvation Fall in agriculture output - peasants X idea = grew less + bred fewer animals -----> Bolsheviks to countryside - FOOD REQUISITIONING by force = peasants resistance -----> Lenin = turn other peasants against these peasants (KULAKS) Bolsheviks took grain needed for sowing next crops = famine, ***1920-21 = 7 million peasant + worker deaths Industrial + agricultural output in Russia, 1913 - 21: * **- Grain - 80 million --> 37.6 million * ** - Coal - 29 million --> 8.9 million * ** - Steel - 4.3 million --> 0.2 million

Answer 37

1921 - replace War Communism Persuade peasants to produce food Bolsheviks thought - betraying revolution - as reverting back to CAPITALISM Features: - Peasants fixed amount of grain to government + sell surplus for profit - Peasants who increase food production = pay less tax - Factories with fewer than 20 workers = back to owners + consumer goods - sold/produced for profit - New rouble - Key industries - coal/steel - remain under state control - Electrification of Russia - power stations established, after 1921

Answer 38

10th PARTY CONGRESS in 1921 - debate about NEP - some members Desire for unity = supported Lenin as long as NEP = 'temporary' measure

Answer 39

- 1923 - cereal production - ***increased by 23% compared to 1920 - Growth in industrial activity - ***1920-23; factory output rose by 200% - Private traders -NEPMEN- appeared - 1923, Nepmen = handled 3/4 of retail trade

Answer 40

Trotsky on NEP - 'first sign of the degeneration of Bolshevism' New class created -'Nepmen' encouraged corruption + vic

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT Flashcards

(65 cards)