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Russia Theme 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What were the two revolutions in Russia in 1917?

A

The February Revolution and the October Revolution

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2
Q

What was the outcome of the February Revolution in 1917?

A

The downfall of the Tsar

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3
Q

Who led the radical new Communist government created after the October Revolution?

A

Lenin

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4
Q

What type of government did Lenin and the Communists promise?

A

A radical democratic government

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5
Q

By what year had Lenin established a one-party state?

A

1922

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6
Q

What social system did Lenin aim to replace capitalism with?

A

Socialism

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7
Q

Which philosopher’s ideas influenced Lenin’s ideology?

A

Karl Marx

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8
Q

What was the significance of the Russian economy during Lenin’s time?

A

It was only beginning to industrialise

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9
Q

What formal body was created to hand power to the Soviets in October 1917?

A

The All-Russian Congress of Soviets

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10
Q

What was the name of the new government formed after the October Revolution?

A

Sovnarkom

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11
Q

What did the Decree on Land accomplish?

A

It gave peasants the right to seize land from the nobility and the Church

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12
Q

What commitment did the Decree of Peace make?

A

To withdraw from the First World War and seek peace

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13
Q

What did the Workers’ Decrees establish in November 1917?

A

An eight-hour maximum working day and a minimum wage

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14
Q

What period did the Russian Civil War cover?

A

Mid-1918 to early 1921

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15
Q

What was one significant effect of the Civil War on the Communist government?

A

The emergence of an authoritarian, centralised and bureaucratic regime

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16
Q

What were the three main groups fighting in the Russian Civil War?

A
  • The Reds: Communist forces
  • The Whites: liberals, Tsarists, or military dictatorship supporters
  • The Greens: associated with Left Socialist Revolutionaries or anarchist groups
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17
Q

What was Lenin’s prime method for ensuring victory during the Civil War?

A

Centralisation of power

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18
Q

To which body did power shift during the Civil War?

A

The Politburo

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19
Q

What role did the Communist nomenklatura play in the government?

A

They were educated members of the former middle class who dominated the government

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20
Q

What did Lenin and the Communists use against their opponents?

A

Terror and repression

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21
Q

What organization did Lenin authorize in February 1921 to destroy opposition parties?

A

The Cheka

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22
Q
A
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23
Q

What significant change occurred in the Communist Party during the Civil War?

A

The nature of the Communist Party changed radically, with the abolition of democracy seen as a temporary measure.

This change was aimed at consolidating power and winning the Civil War.

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24
Q

What was the impact of the ban on factions within the Communist Party?

Study These Flashcards
A

The ban on factions strengthened Lenin’s position within the Party by making opposition to his policies more difficult to organise.

This was part of Lenin’s strategy to maintain control during the Civil War.

25
What was the outcome of the Party congress of 1921?
The congress addressed the crisis created by the Civil War and introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) while continuing to ban opposition parties. ## Footnote It marked a shift from War Communism due to widespread unrest.
26
What characterized Lenin's political legacy upon his death in 1924?
Lenin left a highly authoritarian political legacy, having created a dictatorship of the proletariat and destroyed Soviet democracy. ## Footnote His rule replaced a multi-party system with a one-party state.
27
What were the consequences of War Communism?
War Communism led to famine and widespread rebellion, notably the Tambov rebellion against Communist policies. ## Footnote The Red Army's brutal response to these uprisings intensified dissatisfaction.
28
What was the primary role of the Politburo after 1920?
The Politburo became the main government body, effectively taking over the functions of Sovnarkom. ## Footnote Sovnarkom's role diminished to merely approving decisions made by the Politburo.
29
What did the 'party-state' refer to in the context of Soviet governance?
The 'party-state' referred to the dual structure of government where the Communist Party dominated the Soviet state, effectively banning opposition parties. ## Footnote This structure solidified the power of the Communist Party over the Soviet system.
30
What was the Great Terror and its significance?
The Great Terror was a campaign of arrests, torture, mass imprisonments, and executions aimed at eliminating Stalin's opponents, resulting in around 10 million deaths. ## Footnote It marked the establishment of Stalin's personal dictatorship.
31
During which years did the Great Terror reach its peak?
The Great Terror was at its height from 1935 to 1938. ## Footnote This period was marked by widespread political purges and show trials.
32
What was the purpose of the Show Trials during the Great Terror?
The Show Trials aimed to publicly humiliate and execute Stalin's rivals, including Zinoviev and Bukharin. ## Footnote They served to reinforce Stalin's control over the Party and the state.
33
How did Stalin manipulate the Politburo to secure his power?
Stalin expelled rivals from the Politburo and packed it with his supporters, eliminating internal debate and dissent. ## Footnote This shift allowed him to consolidate authority and control over Party decisions.
34
What were the characteristics of Stalin's totalitarian regime?
Stalin's regime was characterized by: * Complete control of the economy * Use of political terror * Control of the media * Extensive propaganda ## Footnote These elements aimed at ensuring loyalty and enthusiasm from the populace.
35
What was the relationship between the Party and the state under Stalin?
Stalin encouraged competition between the Party and the state, which allowed him to maintain control over both. ## Footnote This rivalry kept senior officials focused on competing with each other rather than challenging Stalin.
36
What was the significance of the Leningrad Affair in 1949?
The Leningrad Affair was a purge targeting supporters of Andrei Zhdanov, which demonstrated Stalin's continued use of terror to eliminate potential rivals. ## Footnote It involved the execution and arrest of many officials associated with Zhdanov.
37
What was Khrushchev's approach to reform after Stalin's death?
Khrushchev introduced 'democratisation' and 'decentralisation' reforms, allowing more workers and peasants into the Party. ## Footnote His reforms aimed to revive the Party while navigating the challenges of stability and reform.
38
What was the impact of the Secret Speech delivered by Khrushchev?
The Secret Speech criticized Stalin's dictatorship and 'cult of personality', shocking many Party members and leading to demonstrations for multi-party democracy. ## Footnote It highlighted the tensions within the Party regarding Stalin's legacy.
39
What were Khrushchev's final major political reforms introduced in 1961?
Khrushchev's reforms included dividing the Party into two branches for agriculture and industry and introducing fixed terms for government jobs. ## Footnote These measures aimed to prevent stagnation within the Party.
40
What was the extent of de-Stalinisation achieved by Khrushchev?
Khrushchev succeeded in ending the use of terror against Party officials and dismantling Stalin's personal rule, although some aspects of Stalinism remained. ## Footnote The government never fully rejected Stalin's legacy.
41
What did Khrushchev hope to stop in the Party?
Party stagnating ## Footnote Khrushchev aimed to revitalize the Party and prevent it from becoming stagnant.
42
What legacy did the government never publicly reject?
Stalin's legacy ## Footnote Despite de-Stalinization, the government did not admit the extent of Stalin's crimes.
43
What system did Khrushchev successfully end?
Stalin's system of personal rule ## Footnote Khrushchev had to negotiate with other senior figures in the Party.
44
What led to Khrushchev's downfall?
Growing power of the Party ## Footnote Senior figures in the Party believed Khrushchev's reforms had gone too far.
45
What was Brezhnev's belief regarding the revolution?
The revolution had been completed by Lenin and Stalin ## Footnote Brezhnev argued for stability and resisting change.
46
Under Brezhnev, what was the status of sackings?
Rare ## Footnote Brezhnev's regime focused on stability, limiting career progression.
47
What context did limited career progression create?
Huge corruption ## Footnote Officials used their positions for personal gain due to lack of advancement opportunities.
48
What process did Brezhnev use to reverse Khrushchev's reforms?
Restoration ## Footnote This included re-establishing all-union ministries and ending the split between industrial and agricultural wings.
49
What was one form of corruption during Brezhnev's rule?
Selling luxury goods on the black market ## Footnote Brezhnev himself was implicated in corruption, including family members.
50
What policy did Brezhnev implement to control the Party?
'Stability of cadres' ## Footnote This policy discouraged demotions and changes in personnel, ensuring job security.
51
What did the stability of cadres lead to?
Political stagnation ## Footnote The average age of government officials increased significantly.
52
What is a gerontocracy?
Rule of old people ## Footnote Brezhnev's government was characterized by aging officials with limited opportunities for youth.
53
What did Brezhnev's rule lead to in terms of government effectiveness?
Inefficiency ## Footnote Limited opportunities for promotion resulted in dead-end jobs for officials.
54
What change occurred in the character of government under Brezhnev?
Shift from a utopian vision to cynicism ## Footnote Brezhnev believed socialism was achieved, leading to public disillusionment.
55
Who ruled the Soviet Union after Brezhnev?
Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko ## Footnote Both were close to Brezhnev and initially rejected reform.
56
What important initiative did Andropov undertake?
Anti-corruption campaign ## Footnote This campaign targeted senior officials and aimed to increase efficiency.
57
What did Andropov abandon that was a policy of Brezhnev?
'Stability of cadres' policy ## Footnote He replaced a significant portion of senior officials to combat stagnation.
58
What was the outcome of Chernenko's leadership?
Achieved very little ## Footnote Due to ill health and the short duration of his rule.

russia theme 1 (5 decks)

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