Communist Government 1917-85

Causes of the October Revolution, 1917

Anger amongst the peasants and workersPoor living and working conditionsWW1 failures, lack of equipment and frequent deathsUnfair land distributionThe failure of the Provisional GovernmentContinuous defeats in WW1 e.g. June Offensive, and desertions from soldiersNo resolution to crisis in the countrysideNo attempt to redistribute landDid not halt the rise of Nationalism in the Russian EmpireIntroduced rationing to try to help living and working conditions = more angerFailed to tackle Russia's most pressing problems e.g. food shortages, inflation, the land question and the continuation of the warThe return of LeninDrastically changed the way the Bolsheviks responded to the Feb Revolution, he resonated with ordinary Russians, strength of will and charisma, undermined the Provisional Government highlighting their failures, and set the Bolsheviks apart from other radical organisations

The Kornilov Affair18th July, Kerensky appointed Kornilov as commander of army.August 27th, Kornilov moved troops towards Petrograd but Kerensky changed his mind and an army of workers forced Kornilov to surrender on 1st September.Discredited Kerensky, helped win support for BolsheviksLed to groups of workers being armedThe planning of TrotskyUsed authority as Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet to set up the MRC, control of the only fighting force in Petrograd.He directed the Red Guard to take control of infrastructure, control of the city before they took control of the governmentWon popular support as a skilled public speakerStalin recognised him in Pravda, 'it can be stated with certainty that the Party is indebted primarily and principally to Comrade Trotsky'

Why Bolsheviks won the Russian Civil War

Disunity of opposition to the BolsheviksMade of small forces lacking unity or central leadershipOpposition fighting for different reasonsFailure of White Forces to combine = outnumbered by Red ArmyAnti-Bolshevik forces fought against each other wasting energy and resourcesThe organisation of the BolsheviksWar Communism 1918 coordinated industrial production to offer maximum benefit for Bolshevik war effortControl of agriculture meant Red Army was well fedIndustry control meant Red had more ammunition than opponentsLeadership of Leon TrotskyStrong central leadership under Lenin and Trotsky, united in vision for Russia's futureIntroduced policy of recruiting experienced officers from the old Tsarist army to fight for BolsheviksTravelled around Russia in armoured train keeping up morale of troops delivering speeches etcCreated Red Army to fight for Bolsheviks

Bolshevik control of Russia's infrastructureThey controlled the industrial heartland of Russia including Moscow and PetrogradControlled railway system = transport troops and keep them well suppliedRivals suffered from shortagesEffectiveness of the Bolshevik TerrorCampaign of terror led by the Cheka to hunt down and intimidate supporters of opponentsCheka arrested Church leaders who opposed BolsheviksBrutality sent a strong message to not stand against the Bolsheviks

Extent Lenin created an authoritarian state

Authoritarian -Nov 17: Bukharin ordered that 'formal democracy' would have to abandoned during Russian Civil WarDec 17: Lenin formed secret police force, Cheka, to eliminate enemies of Bolsheviks (200,000 executed 1917-1923)Jan 18: Elections to Constituent Assembly Bolsheviks won 175 seats, Social Revolutionaries won 410. Lenin dismissed the assemblyMarch 20: Lenin signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending war with GermanyAugust 20: Red Army had to defeat a force of 50,000 rebels on Tambov UprisingJan 21: Nomenklatura system, party members on lists based on loyalty/obedience, promotions due to listFeb 21: Cheka destroyed all political partiesMarch 21: Lenin put forward 'One Party Unit', members of Bolshevik Party forced to support all views of party leadersFeb 22: OGPU replaced Cheka, purged a third of Bolshvik Party members - anyone who disagreed with LeninOct 22: All political parties other than Bolsheviks banned, country run by Sovnarkom and PolitburoJan 24: Bolshevik Party membership 1,000,000(1917=300,000)

Democratic -Oct 17: Lenin passed Decree on Peace = pull Russia out of WW1, peace treaty with Germany, popular amongst RussiansOct 17: Decree on Land = peasants right to seize land from nobility and Church, popular amongst peasantsNov 17: Workers' Decrees = minimum wage and maximum working hours of 8 a dayJan 18: Lenin allowed democratic elections to Constituent AssemblyJan 18: Russian Constitution of 1918 = all adults able to elect representatives to local Soviets ensuring governing the interests of the peopleMarch 18: Lenin allowed debate within the Party on the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. However, he made the final decisionFeb 21: Cheka destroyed all political partiesAugust 20: Decree on Workers' Control = allowing industrial workers to elect committees to run the factories they worked in

Best position to take over from Lenin

Leon Trotsky -Background - born 1879, middle class Jewish familyRevolutionary Record - leading figure in organising strikes and protests, good public speaker helped win support for Bolsheviks. Masterminded October Revolution, led Red ArmyRelationship with Lenin - initially clashed but worked togetherPowerbase - member of Politburo & Sovnarkom, Head of Red ArmyIdeology - extreme left wing, supported global revolution, government control of economy, rapid industrialisation.Alliances - unwilling to compromise on extreme ideological views, isolated, lack of alliances

Josef Stalin -Background - born 1879, family of peasant farmers, religious schoolRevolutionary Record - member of many committees within the Bolshevik Party (Feb, Oct Revolutions & Civil War), but not directly involved in the actionRelationship with Lenin - forged a close relationship, turned on Lenin during end of his life, but gave eulogy at funeralPowerbase - member of Politburo, General Secretary of the Secretariat, head of Central Control Commission, Head of Sovnarkon and Rabkrin from 1919 Ideology - centre of partyAlliances - initially formed a Triumvirate with Zinoviev and Kamanev to defeat Trotsky, turned on allies by forming Diumvirate with Bukharin to defeat Z and K, then turned on Bukharin. Eliminate one by one

Best position... Lenin [continued]

Nikolai Bukharin -Background - born 1888, middle classRevolutionary Record - leading figure in Moscow Branch of communist party. Key role organising protests and demonstrations during Oc Revolution, ran Bolshevik newspaper Civil WarRelationship with Lenin - idolised L, was praised during L's final testimonyPowerbase - 'candidate member' of Politburo, had no vote. Unofficial party theorist, author of seminal ABC of Communism, editor of important newspapers so had enormous influence over public opinionIdeology - right wing of partyAlliances - Diumvirate with Stalin (defeated Zinoviev), but Stalin turned on him

Grigory Zinoviev -Background - born 1883, dairy farm familyRevolutionary Record - opposed October Revolution, stayed in a luxury hotel during Civil WarRelationship with Lenin - initally close, friends and collegues until violent disagreement over October Revolution. Z heavily criticised in L's testamentPowerbase - member of Politburo, in charge of Comintern, leading figure in Petrograd's branch of the partyIdeology - right wing of partyAlliances - Triumvirate with Stalin and Kamanev (defeated Trotsky), but Stalin turned on him

Best position... Lenin [continued]

Grigory Zinoviev -Background - born 1883, working class familyRevolutionary Record - opposed October Revolution, notable role during Civil WarRelationship with Lenin - closest friend after Zinoviev but unsupportive of Oct Revolution so criticised in final testamentPowerbase - member of Politburo, Chair of Central Committee, leading figure in Moscow branch of party, Chair of Sovnarkom when L was illIdeology - right wing of partyAlliances - Triumvirate with Stalin and Kamanev (defeated Trotsky), but Stalin turned on him

Extent of Stalin's power

Complete Power:Position of General Secretary of Communist Party from 19221939, removed opponents from PolitburoSecret police force, use during Great TerrorInsistence of 'Socialism in One Country', protect comm in RussiaPolitburo consisted of S's closest allies by 1930Power to expel party members (in charge of Central Control Commission and Rabkrin), made himself Chair of Sovnarkom 1941Decreased frequency of Politburo meetingsShow Trials, rivals on trial for fake crimes, unable to defend themselves = execution. Prevent threats, terrorMade everyone in Party support his ideasMember of Politburo since 1917, by 1930 was the only original member = most senior memberTerror to test loyalties

Limited Power:Constitution in 1936 gave every Russian citizen he right to vote for local sovietsReleased political prisoners during WW2 to use their skillsNeeded approval of Politburo, they could still oppose him e.g. they refused o execute Ryutin in 1932Soviet Constitution granted civil libertiesRestricted by personal limits and the vastness of Russia

Why did Stalin initiate the Great Terror?

Long term escalation of terror:Alexander III had set up Okhrana to destroy political opponentsLenin used Cheka to arrest political opponents and initiate Red TerrorEconomic benefits of terror:Gulags - forced labour camps - meant prisoners could work without pay and boost economy. Scapegoat for Russia's economic problemsStalin's paranoia:Conscious that other leaders had been plotted against.He had made enemies and was worried people would seek revenge. Feared the Red Army's power, people who could threaten his authority.

Desire to create a personal dictatorship:Occupied all key positions in government, maintained personal power by force to remove threats, and create climate of fear to prevent other threats from occurring. Period of intense terror was ideal way to do thisThe murder of KirovCongress of Victors, 1934, event to celebrate Stalin's economic achievements. Congress voted to elect Central Committee so Kirov won election not Stalin. Stalin was worried Kirov would challenge his personal power, Kirov was murdered Dec 1934 but covered up by a conspiracy from terrorist group, and Stalin got rid of his biggest rival. Proof that terror can be effective

Extent Khrushchev changed the gvmt

Change--Limited time that government officials were able to stay in their positionRegular Politburo meeting and genuine debate was permittedReversed process of centralisation during de-StalinisationReduced use of terror, released former political prisonersHe could be dismissed by a vote in Central Committee as he was critical of Stalin's cult of personality

Continuity--Party made up of his allies and supportersSome heavy punishment did remainContinued to hold key positions within the government