Lenin's Russia

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  • Created by: Howzat
  • Created on: 19-09-18 19:12

Methods used by Bolsheviks to deal with opposition

Closed down newspapers that were against Lenin. 

Formed the Extraordinary Commision (or Cheka). These secret police aimed at eliminating the opposition. 

Expelled opposition parties from the Central Executive Committee. By Lenin's death they were all banned.

Mass produced propaganda- Agitprop Train. Lenin practised terror to scare opposition. 

Turned on opposition parties such as the Kadets. They were outlawed. SR's and Menshiviks by the end of 1917 were put in prison. 

Cheka provided full Bolshevik support. 

Bolshevik press identified the Middle Class (Bourgeoisie) as "enemies of the people" and "parasites". Any well dressed person had a good chance of being robbed or beaten. 

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Methods used by Bolsheviks to deal with opposition

Lenin complained about the Constituent Assembley and shut it down shooting unarmed demonstrators. 

Decree on Peace failed but attemped a truce. 

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Why did Lenin feel the need to repress opposition

  • They presented a threat
  • Knew Bolsheviks didn't have an amazing amount of support, so need them on his side 
  • Didn't want conflict
  • He had a weak position
  • Need to cleanse 
  • "Communism is better"
  • Sabotage and counter revolutionary activity
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Lenin and the Bolsheviks

Sovnarkom set up- Government Cabinet:

40 members. SR's also joined. 

Lenins Decrees- 

Decree on Peace- Truce to end WW1 involvement 

Decree on Land- Peasants rights to take Noble's land without consulting them. Land could not be bought

Decree on Workers Control- Factory committees controlled production and finances and supervised the management

Decree on the Rights of the People- Allowed National Minorities the right to self determination

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War Communism

Food shortages- Grams a day per person

Rising prices 

Loss of farm land in the peace treaty with Germany

Riots

People left the towns

Solution = War Communism- 

  • Requisitioning of grain 
  • Banning private trade
  • Nationalising the industry
  • Introduction of rationing
  • Increased labour discipline
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Economic development

NEP was going pretty well. 

Trotsky described the "Scissor Crisis". 

Agriculture prices decreased whereas industrial prices were rising. 

Demand was HIGH. 

Price of grain fell due to an over supply. The price of industrial goodsrose as there were still shortages. Peasants felt reluctant to supply food as they were not recieving a good price. 

"Tax in Kind" (tax paid in grain) abolished. 

Tax in cash introduced. Encouraged peasants to sell grain. 

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