Q (b)s - Bolsheviks got power, how consolidated rule?

Question 1

(b) Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917? [6]

Answer 1

Due to
(1) Provisional Government’s Weakness and unpopularity:

• Poor problem solving by Provisional Government, established after the February Revolution. It failed to address the war, food shortages, land distribution.
• Unpopularity: government’s lack of legitimacy and failure to deliver on promises led to widespread discontent and a loss of public trust.
• Failed leadership: Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky, was seen as weak and indecisive, unable to maintain order or effectively address the crisis.

(2) The Bolsheviks’ Strengths:

• Strong leadership and ideology: Lenin and Trotsky had outstanding personalities and strong leadership; clear vision for a socialist revolution - appealed to workers, soldiers, peasants. Bolsheviks were disciplined committed revolutionaries. 800,000 members.
• Effective propaganda: Lenin and Bolsheviks used slogans like “Peace, Land, and Bread” and their newspaper, Pravda, to gain support and mobilize the masses.
• Strategic organisation: Bolsheviks established network of soviets (worker councils) and Red Guards, giving them control over key institutions and allowing them to take control of Petrograd. Major industrial centres esp Soviets of Petrograd and Moscow were pre-Bolshevik.
• Support from the army/navy:
  Many soldiers and sailors, disillusioned with war and Provisional Government, were drawn to the Bolsheviks’ promises of peace and social change and promise to end participation in WWI.

(3) Exploiting Existing Unrest:

• Growing discontent: war, food shortages, economic hardship created a volatile environment where people were open to radical change.
• Kornilov Revolt: general attempted to overthrow Provisional Government, discredited the government further and boosted the Bolsheviks’ image as a defender of the revolution.
• Bolsheviks’ ability to seize the opportunity: They exploited the existing discontent and weakness of Provisional Government to launch their coup d’état and seize power.

Question 2

(b) Why did the Provisional Government last for only a few months? [6]

Answer 2

Only lasted a few months due to:

1. Decision to continue WWI:

Government had dilemma: continuing war to keep Allies support or ending war to appease the public, who were weary of conflict. Decision to continue war was unpopular, leading to protests and unrest.

2. Failure to Address Land Reform:

Peasants demanded land redistribution from nobility, but government hesitated to enact drastic change, fearing it would disrupt the existing social order and potentially lead to chaos. This inaction further alienated the peasants and fuelled revolutionary sentiment.

3. Weakness and Ineffectiveness:

Provisional Government lacked clear mandate and authority, facing challenges from the Petrograd Soviet, which shared power and often undermined its actions. Its inability to enforce policies and maintain control led to widespread chaos and increased support for revolutionary groups like the Bolsheviks.

4. Economic Crisis:

War had exacerbated economic problems, including food shortages and inflation, which were not effectively addressed by Provisional Government. This created widespread suffering and discontent, making the government even more unpopular.

5. Rise of the Bolsheviks:

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, capitalized on the government’s weaknesses and offered a clear alternative based on peace, land reform, and worker control. Their effective use of propaganda eg “Peace, Land and Bread” and promises of immediate change helped them gain significant support, especially among workers and soldiers.

6. Unpopularity of Provisional Government

The commander of the Russian army, Kornilov, tried to seize power and install a
military dictatorship. He had little support and was arrested. This was an example of
the unpopularity of the Provisional Government. It gained popularity for the Bolsheviks
because they refused to help Kornilov and they were prepared to fight him.’

Question 3

(b) Why, in the second half of 1917, did the authority of the Provisional Government steadily collapse? [6]

Answer 3

Collapsed due to:

(1) Failure to address war:

Provisional Government’s decision to continue World War I, despite widespread public desire for peace, was major source of discontent. War’s economic burden and heavy casualties further eroded public support.

(2) Land question:

Failure to address the peasants’ demand for land reform, despite promises of land redistribution, fuelled further resentment and instability.

(3) Economic and social problems:

Government struggled to control inflation, food shortages, and unemployment, leading to widespread hardship and social unrest.

(4) Dual power and the Petrograd Soviet:

Petrograd Soviet, a powerful council of workers and soldiers, challenged the authority of the Provisional Government, creating a dual power structure that weakened the government’s legitimacy. Provisional Government was divided government, consisting of members from several different parties. Middle class Cadets wanted to create parliamentary democracy, while socialists wanted to transfer land to peasants. This made it difficult for them to make decisions as there was constant quarrelling amongst ministers about policy

(5) Bolshevik influence:

Bolsheviks, under Lenin, effectively capitalized on the government’s failures and the growing unrest, using propaganda and political mobilization to gain support.

(6) July Days and the Kornilov Affair:

Suppression of the July Days protests and the subsequent Kornilov Affair, a failed coup attempt by General Kornilov, further weakened Provisional Government and strengthened the Bolsheviks’ position.

Question 4

(b) Why did Lenin introduce the New Economic Policy? [6]

Answer 4

(1) War Communism didn’t work

The previous economic policy of War Communism had resulted in economic collapse and famine in some areas of the USSR

(2) Unrest amongst workers

War Communism had also resulted in massive unrest among the workers and the number of strikes increased.

(3) Revolts

• The peasants had risen up in protest against War Communism with one of the most serious revolts in Tambov requiring 50,000 Red Army soldiers to crush it.

(4) Mutiny

The Kronstadt Mutiny in March 1921 by the sailors in the Kronstadt Naval base made the Bolsheviks realise the dangers of continuing with the policy of War Communism.

Question 5

(b) Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War? [6]

Answer 5

Won due to:

(1) Strong Leadership:

Lenin/Trotsky provided strong decisive leadership, setting the Red Army apart from the White Army. Trotsky, in particular, was instrumental in organising and disciplining the Red Army, transforming it into a formidable fighting force.

(2) Effective Propaganda:

Bolsheviks used highly effective propaganda campaign using “agitprop” (agitation propaganda) to gain support and rally the people. Portrayed themselves as defenders of the revolution and the working class, while painting the White Armies as counter-revolutionaries and foreign agents.

(3) Geographical Advantage:

Bolsheviks controlled key central areas of Russia, including Moscow and Petrograd, giving them access to vital infrastructure, such as railways and factories. So they could control production, move troops and supplies efficiently, and supply the Red Army.

(4) White Army Weaknesses:

White Army was plagued by internal divisions, lack of clear leadership, and failure to secure widespread support. Lacked resources and infrastructure of the Red Army, making it difficult to sustain their campaign.

(5) Use of Terror and War Communism:

Bolsheviks employed “War Communism” to mobilise the economy and resources for the war effort, and used terror and repression to suppress dissent and consolidate power. This included the use of the Cheka secret police and the Red Terror.

Question 6

(b) Why did the Communists win the Civil War? [6]

Answer 6

Won because:

(1) War Communism

Important reason for winning war as was policy that Lenin used to bring the Russian economy completely under government control.

(2) Strict control of heartlands in Western Russia and single aim of survival

• Communists held a central position, Russia’s two greatest cities and the railway system which enabled them to move troops/supplies quickly.
• Peasants forced to hand over rationing supplies to State so towns and cities well fed.
• Industry was taken over, as were banks. Strikes were banned and prices controlled. These measures helped win the war.

-Red Terror kept population under control.

• Used propaganda to raise fears about Whites intentions, spread positives of communism and outlining White atriocities and fear of Tsar’s return

(3) Army first

Red Army was a disciplined, effective fighting force led by Trotsky. Took over factories of Moscow/Petrograd to supply army with equipment and ammunition. Army was given all resources it needed, even if peasants starved.

(4) Weakness of Whites

• The Whites were enemies of Bolsheviks in and out of Russia and did not have a single aim, like the Reds. Not united! Made up of Tsarist supporters and Czech prisoners of war.
• They also had trouble getting enough soldiers and they treated their troops badly. Limited support from Russian population who hated Whites.
  -Whites were also geographically spread and at the end of the First World War lost foreign allies and supplies. Trotsky able to defeat them one by one.

Question 7

(b) Why was the New Economic Policy (NEP) important? [6]

Answer 7

NEP (March 1921) important because it helped the Soviet economy recover from the devastation of World War I, the Russian Civil War, and NEP was important because it helped the Communists solve the problems caused by War Communism. This had helped the Communists win the war but it restricted people’s freedoms and led to a lot of hardship with industrial production falling and people returning to the countryside.

(1) Economic Recovery/capitalism for some of Russian society:

The NEP allowed some private ownership and peasants were allowed to sell some of their surplus grain for profit. Would pay tax on what produced rather than giving some to government. In towns, small factories handed back into private ownership and private trading of small goods allowed. Led to the economy recovering and people being better off.’

(2) Reduced State Control:

NEP reduced the state’s control over the economy, allowing for greater individual initiative and enterprise. Led to increased production and trade, as well as a resurgence of small businesses. By 1925 evidence food production had risen steadily.

(3) Improved Living Standards:

NEP brought back some aspects of market-driven capitalism, which allowed for greater profits for peasants and some workers, leading to improved living standards.

(4) Political Stability:

By addressing the widespread discontent caused by War Communism, NEP helped restore support for the Bolshevik regime among the population.

(5) Preparation for Industrialisation:

While a retreat from communism, NEP intended to be temporary measure to rebuild the economy before moving towards full-scale socialist industrialisation. Lenin made it clear vital heavy industries (coal, oil, iron and steel) would remain in State hands.

Question 8

(b)Why was there a civil war in Russia? [6]

Answer 8

The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) was fuelled by deep political divisions within Russia following the October Revolution and the collapse of the Tsarist empire. Caused by:

1. Disagreement over the Government’s Form:

• Bolsheviks: Advocated for a communist state with a one-party rule, seizing control through the October Revolution 1917.
• Whites: Represented a mix of ideologies, including those who wanted to restore monarchy or establish a more democratic government; others who opposed the Bolsheviks outright.
• Foreign Intervention: Allied nations (like Britain, France, and the US) feared the spread of communism and intervened in Russia to support the Whites.

2. Legacy of World War I:

• Revolution: Russia’s disastrous performance in WWI led to widespread discontent, fuelled by food shortages and economic hardship, ultimately culminating in the Russian Revolution.
• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: Bolsheviks’ peace treaty with Germany (1918), which ceded territory to Germany, further alienated many Russians, including those who opposed the Bolsheviks.
• Foreign Intervention: Allied powers saw the Bolsheviks as a threat and intervened in WWI to support the Whites, seeking to undermine the communist regime.

3. The Bolsheviks’ Seizure of Power:

• October Revolution: The Bolsheviks’ violent seizure of power in 1917, which overthrew Provisional Government, created a volatile political landscape and fuelled opposition.
• Dissolution of Constituent Assembly: Bolsheviks’ dissolution of newly elected Constituent Assembly in January 1918 further eroded their legitimacy and pushed more people into opposition.
• “Red Terror”: Bolsheviks’ brutal repression of dissent, known as the “Red Terror,” intensified the conflict and fuelled the White movement.