Russia Flashcards
(20 cards)
Why did Russia enter WWI in 1914, and what were the consequences?
-they had an alliance with Serbia and a desire to show power
-but there were huge losses, food shortages, social unrest
> helped trigger the 1917 revolutions
What caused the February Revolution (March 1917), and what happened after?
-caused by the war failures, poverty and the Tsar’s poor leadership
-this meant that Tsar Nicholas II abdicated and the provisional government took over
What was the provisional government?
-temporary government that was meant to run Russia until proper elections could be held
Why did the October Revolution (November 1917) happen?
-provisional government failed to end war/fix any problems (e.g. food shortage)
-Bolsheviks (led by Vladimir Lenin) seized power and began building a communist state
What caused the Russian Civil War (1917–1922), and who won?
-opposition to Bolshevik rule (Whites vs Reds)
-bolsheviks won, millions died, Lenin’s control strengthened
Why was Trotsky seen as Lenin’s natural successor, after his death?
-was Lenin’s close ally and led the Red Army to victory in the Civil War
What role did Stalin’s position as General Secretary play in his rise to power?
-gave him control over party appointments and promotions
How did Stalin use Lenin’s funeral to undermine Trotsky?
-he tricked Trotsky into missing the funeral
What was Lenin’s opinion of Stalin in his testament?
-warned the party about Stalin’s rudeness and anger
Why did Trotsky’s ideas make him unpopular with the Communist Party?
- his ‘permanent revolution’ focused internationally, which was seen as a risk and a threat to the party’s unity
By what year had Stalin fully consolidated power in the Soviet Union?
1928
How did Stalin’s position as General Secretary make him succeed over Trotsky?
-he controlled party appointments so he was able to build a loyal base by promoting supporters and sidelining rivals quietly
How did Trotsky’s weaknesses make Stalin succeed over him?
-he was arrogant and didn’t try to build alliances
-was tricked into missing Lenin’s funeral
>looked out of touch and disrespectful, losing support
How did Stalin’s manipulation of Lenin’s Testament help him succeed over Trotsky?
-Lenin warned against Stalin, but Stalin and others kept the Testament secret
How did Stalin’s ideology make him succeed over Trotsky?
-Stalin promoted ‘Socialism in One Country’, clear focus on the USSR first
-more realistic than Trotsky’s ‘Permanent Revolution’, which people saw as a risk
What was Stalin’s First Five-Year Plan (1928), and why was it introduced?
-Stalin wanted to modernise USSR fast
-rapid industrial growth, but famine and harsh conditions
What caused the Ukraine Famine (1932–33), and what were the effects?
-forced collectivisation and grain seizures
-millions died but Stalin denied it happened
Why did Stalin launch the Great Purge (1936–38)?
-paranoia and desire to eliminate rivals
-thousands executed or imprisoned and fear controlled society
What happened when Germany invaded the USSR in 1941?
-Hitler broke the Nazi-Soviet Pact
-USSR joined Allies, huge losses, but eventual victory
What happened after Stalin died in 1953?
-end of an era, power struggle began , USSR slowly changed direction
