Russia in Revolution

Useful website: Russia Revision website This is an IB website but the info looks good. Use the menu on the left hand side. Concept maps: 1905 ­ 1917 1917­ 1924 Quizzes: Click here Glossary: Click here

Theme 1 [Nura / Julia]:

Economic and social /political change/reform up to 1914

Witte’s Economic Policies:

Increased taxation­ raised taxes for peasants to provide the government with more money for industrial development

Foreign investment­ massive inward foreign investment to raise money needed for industrial development

State capitalism­ the central government used its authority to sponsor and direct economic and industrial development

Development of the railways­ 110,000 miles of railway between 1881 and 1914. This included the 3,750 mile Trans­Siberian railway

Encouragement of private enterprise­ Witte encouraged members of the ruling and upper classes to invest their wealth in industry

Positives­ Witte’s policies Negatives­ Witte’s policies

1900­ over half of the industrial workforce was employed in factories with more than 1000 workers

Russia developed its military power­ the capital goods developed in this period were also used for military production

1903­ much of the Trans­Siberian railway had been completed, helping the development of Russian influence in the Far East

The population of St Petersburg doubled between 1890 and 1914. 1 million to 2 million

Coal, iron and oil production all rose

High inflation (1908­1914, 40%) Light industry uninvested and

agriculture ignored Overcrowding in cities Rapid growth of towns and cities led

to poor living and working conditions. This provided the ideal environment for the development of social unrest and support for radical alternatives to Tsarism

Military requirements and conservation impeded progress

Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon­ not just the work of Witte

Too dependent on foreign investment Unemployment

Peter Stolypin Actions to restore order to rural areas:

Unrest of 1905 revolution spread to the countryside­ Stolypin set up court martials

16,000 people were convicted of political crimes (under this system)

3600 were sentenced to death, 4500 sent to do hard labour in prison camps

1908­ the number of government officials murdered by revolutionaries had fallen from 1200 to 365

Stolypin attacked bases of revolutionary activity­ a thousand newspapers and 600 trade unions were forced to close

He wanted to improve agriculture in order to: feed the people and build up a strong group of peasants loyal to the Tsar

Stolypin passed laws that allowed peasants to leave their commune and combine their strips of land into a single unit

Set up the Peasant’s Land Bank to allow peasants to buy land 1905­1915 the % of peasants who owned land went from 20­50 Agricultural output rose from 45.9 million tonnes to 61.7 million tonnes

Political actions­ Stolypin:

Saw the Duma as a part of a new strong Russia­ he wanted to work with them, and made links with the Octobrists

The Duma would not help him out, he changed the election system to ensure the new Duma would be more likely to agree with him

Wanted to introduce zemstva (local councils) to make local government more democratic

Stolypin persuaded the Tsar to suspend the Duma and allow him to force his law through

He had to pass all his laws by emergency laws These actions weakened the Dumas

October Manifesto: promised reforms accepted the proposal for an elected national parliament (DUMAS) proposed:

freedom of speech freedom of religion civil rights

Octobrists decided it was good enough Kadets viewed it as a start, but further reforms would be needed Other parties (S.Rs, Bolsheviks/Mensheviks) were not pleased

Fundamental Laws:

consequence of the Dumas being set up Tsar kept control Gave Tsar the right to…

govern by decree ignore the Dumas choose his own government

DUMA ONE

April­June 1906 few/no radical parties ­> mainly Octobrists and

Kadets wanted further reforms ‘Duma of Public Anger’

DUMA TWO

February­June 1907 less Kadets (many banned b.c. of the Vyborg Appeal) S.R’s and S.D’s gained seats ­> more radical parties Criticised the army administration ­> angered Tsar police framed radical parties for mutinies, which led to the dissolving of the

Duma

DUMA THREE November 1907­June 1912 election restricted to the wealthy less reformist parties further land reforms via Stolypin

DUMA FOUR

November 1912­August 1914 After Stolypin was assassinated so he was replaced Duma was annoyed ­> Stolypin’s successor didn’t conceal contempt for

Duma

GOOD BAD

1 First step towards democracy Expected too much to happen right away

2 Important land reforms Too radical

3 Longest running Duma It was still questioned

4 Less openly obstructed (no Stolypin)

Didn’t last

Essay Questions:

How far do you agree that the economy of Tsarist Russia was transformed in the years to 1914? (June 2009)

Witte ­ was transformed developed industry

Stolypin ­ was transformed agricultural reforms

Peasant famines ­ wasn’t transformed still lived in poverty/poor living and working conditions

Stolypin ­ wasn’t transformed many people arrested, couldn’t work to improve economy

To what extent was the Tsarist system of government modified in the years 1881–1914? (June 2011) (Very difficult question)

To what extent were Russian industry and agriculture transformed in the years 1881–1914? (June 2013)

To what extent did Russia undergo economic and political reform in the years 1906–14? (Jan 2010) (Economic would mean industry AND agriculture ­> this means that you have to talk about Witte and Stolypin) (Political= Dumas)

Theme 2 [Olivia R / Alex]: 1905 Revolution – Causes of the Revolution.

Government’s own responsibility: Repression Taxation Incompetent leadership and Autocracy (some wanted shared power)

Social Unrest (rise in population­poorer living conditions, Jacqueries, failing of the harvests)

Economic Repression (Witte moving Peasants to the cities=poor working and living conditions=protesting) Bad harvests

Peasants anger over mortgage repayments Workers’ anger over unemployment and falling wages

Involvement in Russo­Japanese War (humiliating defeat causing tension between the people and the Tsar/Government)

Bloody Sunday (Tsar seen as father figure of Russia but after soldiers fired at a peaceful protest this was tested, causing widespread outrage)

In 1904, Nicholas lost a war with Japan, which undermined his authority. In 1905, a peaceful demonstration of workers led by the priest Father Gapon was attacked by the Cossacks, in a bid to assert the Tsar's authority. The atrocity led to strikes and riots - sailors on the battleship 'Potemkin' mutinied. Workers and soldiers got together and set up committees called Soviets to represent them.

Nicholas survived - just! He published the 'October Manifesto', which promised to create a

Duma (parliament). This caused many middle-class people, called the Octobrists, to support

him. He also lowered taxes on the poor and brought in Peter Stolypin as his prime minister.

The Okhrana tracked down and arrested many revolutionaries. However, as soon as he felt

powerful enough, Nicholas stopped listening to the Duma, but the Soviets survived.

Essay Questions:

How accurate is it to say that the growth of reformist groups in the years from 1881 was the main cause of the 1905 Revolution? (Jan 2012)

Theme 3 [Katarina / Anil]:

Survival of Tsarism questions

1905 Revolution ­ October manifesto ­ Duma , Civil Rights , Freedom of speech , Made some opposition happy ( liberals, which were the kadets and octobrists) The Octobrists became loyal to the Tsar and believed that it was the last reform that was going to be made. The kadets however believed that this was only the start of reform for Russia and that more reforms would follow, emphasizing an aspect of democracy. Social Revolutionaries were however not satisfied with October Manifesto due to that fact that they wished to overthrow the Tsar and simply demolish the Tsarist regime.

Fundamental Laws­ The Tsar agreed for the first time to share his autocratic power with a parliament. He however later avoided these laws and didn’t seem to follow them as he had promised to do so.

Introduction of Dumas ­ Kept some of the opposition and people hopeful, leading them to believe that Russia had a future in democracy. The Tsar nethertheless dissolved the first Duma since it contained too many reformists (in the Tsar’s opinion). NIcholas II still had power to appoint ministers of preference in the Duma, instantly lessening its democratic power. The Tsar and his government became worried over the outbreak of the 1905 Revolution, especially since it occurred without a plan. This was worrying because the Tsar & Government could not predict when or if another revolution could occur, therefore making it vital for them to make concessions (The October Manifesto)

Cheka/ Okhrana ­ , They got rid of any opposition , it was a criminal offence to oppose the Tsar or his government.

Stolypin ­ Introduced Peasant Land Banks which enabled peasants to receive loans. Another huge improvement that Stolypin introduced was that he abolished redemption payments, which were a result of the Emancipation of the Serfs Act (1861). Before, peasants had to pay the state these redemption payments for over 40 years, they had to do this because the state had to compensate the landlords. Between 1908­9, 16,500 people were convicted of political crimes (most of which they did not commit). As a result, 3,600 were hanged and 4,500 were sent to Gulags (labour camps). The Stolypin terror was knows and was commonly feared. The opposition towards Stolypin was most shown when he was assassinated by a member of the Socialist Revolutionary group called Dmitri Bogrov.

Opposition ­ The opposition was not well organised, they all only had one aim in common,

they wanted reform and the Tsar to make concessions. The SRs and the SDs were the

revolutionary partied and the others were the liberals. Most of the revolutionary party

members were however in exile.

Loyalty of the army ­ Bloody Sunday , The army stopped any opposition against the Tsar,

However sailors in Potemkin mutinied. Revolution was not well organised so was easy to

bring down.

Alexander III and Witte ­ industrialisation , The Great Spurt , Expansion of the railways, Peasant land reforms ,

Successes Failures

Work was sponsored and overseen by government, nicknamed ‘Witte System’

Government placed emphasis on production of capital goods, e.g. iron and steel, coal and machinery

Overseas loans and investments import of foreign goods (to stop

Russian money going abroad) Expansion of railway system, e.g.

Trans­Siberian Railway (opened 1902) Improving balance of trade (e.g.

1901­10, Russia exporting 186m. roubles more than importing)

Increasing industrial output, e.g. coal, iron, grain

Rapid expansion of cities, as large­scale manufacture attracted people seeking employment, e.g. St Petersburg doubled in size between 1890 and 1914 from 1 to 2 million

Exploited its natural resources, e.g. oil and gas from Siberia more effectively

Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon – not just work of Witte & ‘Great Spurt’

Too dependent on foreign investment Light industry underinvested &

agriculture ignored Military requirements & conservatism

impeded progress Overcrowding in cities, led to poor living

conditions and growth in dissent as a result

Poor working conditions, e.g. absence of trade unions

Still lagged behind other major powers, e.g. Austria­Hungary expanded national income by 79%, 1894­1913 and Britain 70% compared with Russia 50% in same period

How accurate is it to say that Tsarism survived in the years 1881–1914 mainly because its opponents were too weak and divided to challenge it effectively? (Jan 2013)

How far do you agree that the use of repression was the main reason for the weakness of opposition to Tsarism in the years 1881–1914? (June 2010)

How far were divisions among its opponents responsible for the survival of Tsarist rule in the years 1881–1905? (Jan 2009)

Theme 4 [James / Olivia S]:

Causes of Feb/March Revolution & abdication of the Tsar

“one of the most leaderless, spontaneous, anonymous revolutions of all time” ­ W.H Chamberlain

Front line (War)

Everybody (Demonstrations)

Bolsheviks

Rasputin

Undervalued peasants

At home ­ impact

Ruling class

You’re not getting them concessions

The Petrograd Demonstrations

On January 9th, 140,000 workers went on strike and demonstrated in the streets to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which had begun the 1905 revolution. On the last day of January, strikes about food shortages occurred sporadically across Russia. On the 14th of February, 100,000 workers protested against food shortages and poor working conditions. On the same day, the State Duma was reconvened and, instead of supporting the government, it attacked it over the food shortages.

A key event was the demonstrations in Petrograd on the 23rd of February to commemorate International Women’s Day, when tens of thousands of women took to the streets. This coincided with a major strike at the Putilov Engineering Works and, together, the demonstrators and the strikers numbered over 100,000.

The following day, 24th Feb, the strike and demonstrations continued – mainly about food shortages and the threat of rationing. Soviets (committees) of workers were formed to formulate demands against the government. By the 25th Feb the number of demonstrators had swelled to 200,000. It was at this stage that the government tried to take control of the capital’s streets. The police arrested members of the Worker’s group, a leading body set up by workers in Petrograd

to organise strikes and demonstrations. All newspapers shut down and public transport cancelled.

The defection of the Armed Forces

The turning point in the Revolution came on the 25th Feb, when Cossack troops refused to fire on the demonstrators. The next day, troops did fire on the demonstrators – killing 40, but the elite Pavlovsky Life Guards refused to carry out orders. This was the first significant sign that government authority had begun to break down. In the 1905 Revolution the Tsar’s regime survived due to the support of the Army; however, at a critical time like the Feb 1917 revolution, the armed forces began to desert the government. Disaffection spread further on the following day, when the Volinsky Regiment mutinied – and joined the demonstrators.

In an attempt to reassert its authority, the government dissolved the State Duma. Instead of disbanding, however, the S.D formed a twelve­man committee to take over running the country (Prov. Gov).

Tsar

The Tsar appointed himself as Commander­in­Chief where he lacked experience and competence. This meant that his popularity was tied to the fate of the war. Russia was deeply saddened by the amount of loss during the World War, Russia began to perform badly during the war therefore the Tsar became very unpopular. Also, as the Tsar was at the frontline this meant he was unable to attend to the problems back in the Cities, for this he left his wife in charge Tsarina Alexandra

Political system

The Tsar was unwilling to make concessions; Russia remained as an autocracy till the Tsar’s abdication. Linking with the growing middle classes’ desire for some form of power and greater role in the government.

Rasputin

Rasputin was a Siberian Orthodox Monk who became involved with the Royal Court in 1907. By 1914 Rasputin was a regular and significant member of the Court and, in particular, a personal confidant of the Tsarina, Alexandra. His main influence on Russia’s performance in the First World War came after the Tsar

went to the front, as commander­in­chief, in September 1915. Alexandra was left to organise the government and administration.

Abdication of the Tsar

On March 1st the Tsar made a last bid to retake control, boarding a train at his Army HQ in Mogilev in attempt to get back to Petrograd. However, on 2nd March his train was stopped at Pskov, 250km short of Petrograd, because anti­government soldiers had gained control of the railway line. In a siding at Pskov, Tsar Nicholas was visited by members of the State Duma and was asked to abdicate. The Tsar agreed, and also abdicated the throne on behalf of the Tsarevich, Alexei, whom he feared would be too ill. Tsar Nicholas II was not technically allowed to abdicate for his son, he passed his throne to his own brother. His brother refused the offer.

Essay Questions:

How far was Nicholas II responsible for the fall of the Romanovs in 1917? (June 2012)

Similar model essay available in My Revision Notes book p30 – 31 and Murphy p98 ­100

Why did Tsarism survive the revolution of 1905 but not that of March 1917? (Jan 2011)

Theme 5 [Amy / Hannah / Laura]

Causes of Oct/Nov revolution 1917 – e.g. weaknesses of the Provisional Gov, Lenin’s leadership etc

April 3­ Lenin arrives in Petrograd April 4­ Lenin issued his April Theses July 3­6­ “July Days”­ failed Bolshevik uprising July 8­ Kerensky became prime minister August­ Kornilov marches on Petrograd and Kerensky arms Red Guard October 9­ Military Revolutionary Committee is set up, Trotsky is chairman and he starts planning takeover October 25­6­ Bolsheviks storm Winter Palace October 26­ Bolsheviks establish Sovnarkom Impact of Lenin

Lenin’s return in April was really significant because up to this point, the Bolsheviks had supported Russia’s dual authority of the Petrograd Soviet and the Provisional Government, including important figures like Stalin and Kamenev, who believed February was a genuine revolution. Lenin condemned the Provisional Government, saying that Russia was now a “parliamentary­bourgeois republic” and called for a second revolution and “All

Power to the Soviet”, as he could see no opportunity for Bolshevik participation in a Liberal dominated Provisional Government. His motto “Peace, Bread and Land” was very popular as the Provisional Government were continuing the war, and this helped to gain Bolshevik support. These two slogans were called the April Theses.

Kornilov Affair General Kornilov marched on Petrograd in August 1917.His intentions were misunderstood, he was trying to support the Provisional Government against the Bolsheviks, but Kerensky thought he was attempting a military takeover and so armed the Red Guard to defend Petrograd. Kornilov never reached Petrograd but Kerensky had made himself look weak and armed his enemies. Impact of Trotsky Although it was Lenin who was the influence behind the October Rising, it was Trotsky who organised it. The Petrograd Soviet ( in which the Bolsheviks had a majority) set up the Military Revolutionary Committee to defend from a possible German attack. Trotsky used his influence to become one of the troika that ran it and so could use his control of the Red Guard to plan the Bolshevik takeover. On October 25, it was Trotsky who commanded the Red Guard to seize all the key vantage points in Petrograd and therefore make the revolution possible. Weaknesses of the Provisional Government

The Provisional Government were very unpopular with the people of Russia, due to the involvement with WW1. The PG remained involved in the war, as they would have had to pay a lot of money to surrender their position.

The PG were also unpopular as they didn’t allow the peasants to seize their land, due to the fear that the soldiers would desert and return to their land.

The PG were seen as weak after the Kornilov affair, in which they ran to the the aid of their enemies­the Bolsheviks, to help defend Petrograd when they thought General Kornilov was planning a military takeover. They released the Bolsheviks out of prison, making them look even weaker and more desperate by relying on the political prisoners

When the Bolsheviks marched to the Winter Palace, the Provisional Government fled and didn’t put up a fight. This showed their weakness as when faced by the Bolsheviks they didn’t defend their power.

The Provisional Government had very limited success in dealing with economic problems. Prices continued rising, food was in short supply and the peasants' desire for control of more land was not met.

Strength of the Communists

When the Tsar abdicated the Communists had authority as the PG could only pass laws if the Petrograd Soviets agreed

As the PG made more and more enemies with the people of Russia over the involvement in WW1 and refusing peasant seizure of land, people became more receptive of the Communists and their ideology

The Communists had the strong support of their leader Lenin, who promised many things including land for the peasants and ending the cooperation in the war­ this is what people wanted to hear

The Bolsheviks were shown as powerful and to be heroes when the PG turned to them for their help, to defend Petrograd. They kept the weaponry the PG provided so were now seen as a strong, armoured force

Finally, the Bolsheviks came to power and took control of Russia in 1917, making Russia the first Communist run country on the planet.

How accurate is it to say that Lenin’s leadership was the most important reason for the Bolsheviks’ success in the revolution of November 1917? (June 2011)

Intro: Lenin’s leadership was the most important factor because until his return, Bolsheviks were content with the February Revolution. However many other important factors, Trotsky and weaknesses of Prov Gov

Para 1­ Lenin:

Inspired the Revolution with his April Theses Was a charismatic, strong figure Promised what people wanted to hear “Peace, Bread and Land” and

independence for ethnic minorities

Para 2­ Weaknesses of Prov Gov:

unpopularity of First World war armed the Red Guard in the Kornilov Affair Order Number 1 undermined the Prov Gov’s power limited success in resolving economic problems

Para 3­ Trotsky:

One of the troika on the MRC Planned and organised entire takeover Had command of the Red Guard and so was able to take control of Petrograd

Conclusion:

Without Lenin, the revolution would not have happened as the Bolsheviks were content with dual authority, so he was the spark of the October Revolution and therefore the most important factor. However, it would not have been successful without the weaknesses of the Prov Gov and Trotsky’s superior organisation.

Theme 6 [Anastasiya / Anna / Julia]

1917 – 24 – Communist consolidation of power e.g. How did the Communists consolidate their power: Winning the Civil war; Use of terror, Lenin’s Leadership

Key Dates: 1917 November Issued Decrees on Land and Workers’ Control and Elections for Constituent Assembly December Armistice signed at Brest Litovsk Cheka Created 1918­20 Russian Civil War and foreign interventions 1918­21 War Communism 1918 January Bolsheviks dissolve Constituent Assembly March Treaty of Brest­Litovsk

June Decree of Nationalisation July Forced grain requisition and murder of the Romanov family September Red Terror introduced 1919 March Comintern established Bolsheviks renamed to Communist Party 1920 April Invading Red Army driven from Poland 1921 March Kronstadt Rising Introduction of NEP Problems Lenin faced after the October Revolution The war with Germany and Austria­Hungary was still going on and Petograd was defenceless. Unemployment was rising but so was inflation. The Bolsheviks didn’t have enough support from the whole country so the Constituent Assembly would prove this, only a quarter of the Russian votes was for them. Forming a government Lenin aimed to create a government free from the control of the All­Russian Soviet/ Ensure that the Soviets passed 3 decrees:

Land Decree­ confiscate all private land and give it to the peasants but the Bolsheviks would ultimately take all the land under their control

Peace Decree­ Take steps to end the war Set up a new government­ At the top was the Council of People’s Commissars

called ‘Snovnarkom’ and Lenin as chairman

Lenin’s Russian Government

Sovnarkom (Lenin was chair and most members were Bolshevik)

All­ Russia Congress of Soviets (the Bolshevik had a majority)

Representatives from village, city and district Soviets

Ending the war The war was unpopular and was a major contributing factor in the fall of the Provisional Government. An armistice was agreed on December 1917 and on 22 December there was a peace delegation. There were severe demands on taking countries from Russia:

Baltic States of Latvia Lithuania and Estonia Poland Ukraine It would lead to one third loss of Russia’s population one third of agricultural land over half of its industry

On the 7th and 8th January Lenin managed to persuade the Government but it nearly split them. On 27 January Trotsky signed a peace treaty with Ukraine, and on 3 March Treaty of Brest­Litovsk, the war was ended officially. Russia lost territory and economic wealth but Lenin needed to just so he can keep in power. Constituent Assembly It proved that the Social Revolutionaries were the largest party. The Bolsheviks wanted their decrees to be passed however they failed 237 votes to 137. The Bolsheviks and Left Socialist Revolutionaries walked out which marked the end of any hope of democracy under Lenin and began the rule of communist dictatorship. The Socialist Revolutionaries split into two. The Left Srs joined Lenin but the leader of the majority Victor Chernov called for a peaceful demonstration but was dispersed by the Red Guard. The Mensheviks also split under Fedor Dan and Julius Martov. They reunited in May 1918 and by that time Lenin was in firm control.

The treaty of Brest­ Litovsk

Divergent attitudes of Bolsheviks towards the war Some wanted to continue the revolutionary war against Germany but others wanted immediate peace to lessen the load on Russia. Lenin Russia could not win so it made sense to make peace Trotsky ‘Neither peace nor war’ Russia could not win, but delay peace as long as possible to encourage disruption in Germany. He used deliberately disruptive tactics in speeches. The final treaty Harsh terms imposed on Russia: Lost a third of European land, loosing 45 million people and Russia was to pay 3 billion rouble in reparations Consequence Further conflict between Lenin and the Left SRs but the defeat in Germany in November 1918 justified his policy. The outbreak of the Civil war 1918 Opponents of the communists Opponent­ Allied forces in 1918 To overthrow the communists and get Russia fighting in WW1 again Opponent­ White armies To return Russia to rule by a monarchy To establish democratic rule. Opponent­ Green armies To create a society based on the ruling of peasants. Opponent­ Social revolutionaries To create an open society with major social /economic change for the peasants. Opposition to the Treaty of Brest­Litovsk Opponent­ Nationalist movement To gain independence from Russian rule. Reasons for the communist victory

The disunity of the opposition The communists had strong leadership from lenin. They were united and well ­organised. However, their opponents lacked any unity. They all fought for different reasons and were separated by their beliefs, giving them smaller numbers. Geographical and Organisational factors The communists were also united in where they stood. They occupied the heartland of Russia (Moscow and Petrograd) holding a population of 60 million people. This was a huge advantage to the communists as they could produce more weapons than the white armies because they were in the industrial heartland. They could use the Trans­ Siberian railways to move their produce around the country . The railway proved useful as they could also transport troops anywhere they wanted. By contrast to this, the opponents were dispersed. The generals launched attacks at different times allowing the Red forces to move to the quieter areas. The introduction of War Communism and then further ‘grain requisitioning’ allowed the communists to conscript people to work in the factories around them for efficient production. The terror Lenin established the Cheka; a political police force that engaged in the terror tactics against any communist opponents. For example, any peasants who tried to resist Grain requisitioning were executed and any villages hiding political opponents were burned. Trotsky and the red army An important reason for the success of the communists was the leadership of Leon Trotsky. The red army was formed by him in 1918 and was the largest force in Russia. By 1921 the numbers had reached 5 million men. The dilemma was that the communists lacked members with high quality leadership. He then introduced the controversial policy of recruiting former Tsarist officers and it succeeded. War communism What was it? ­Supreme economic council formed to run the economy ­Nationalisation of industry; made all large industries liable to nationalisation without compensation. By 1910 around 37,000 businesses had been nationalised. ­All private trade banned. ­Extra grain was taken from the peasants. Anyone caught withholding it would be shot. ­A steep decline in the use of money. Replaced by rationing organised by the state. ­The use of terror, slave labour and seizure of goods and grain by the state. What was the impact?

­ On one hand war communism allowed the communists to win the civil war. On the other hand, it was only achieved at great human cost. ­Between 1917 and 1920 over half of the working population disappeared and this was the class Lenin had relied on. This decline was due to a number of factors such as death in the civil war and famine. ­Russia suffered a major famine in 1921. Peasants stopped producing as much grain when they realised it would be taken from them. This along with the war and drought took between one and two million lives. ­Peasant uprisings occurred all across Russia. ­War communism also failed to stop the fall in industrial production. ­As a result of all of this, in 1921, Lenin announced the end of war communism. The New Economic policy The introduction of the NEP The economic situation By early 1921 the economy was in breakdown. Industrial production was fractionally smaller than it had been pre­First world war. The Tambov uprising had been so serious that large forces of the Red Army had to be diverted there to restore law and order. The communist government seemed to be at war with the majority of Russia and the first signs of Famine were beginning to show. Growing opposition These developments caused unease in the party and they were concerned about the growing central control exercised by Lenin. By the end of 1920 the Mensheviks began increasing their support in local soviets. At the same time, a Workers’ Opposition movement was developing, based on disapproval of the Government’s control. The Krogstadt Rebellion, March 1921

The creation of the USSR On 29 December 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was created. The new state would compromise of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the Ukrainian Social Republic, the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic. By the end of the Civil War, the Communists had extended their rule over much of the old Russian Empire. Lenin possessed complete control over the Communist Party and Government. He had created the world's first totalitarian dictatorship. Lenin also controlled the media and only Pravda was allowed. To prevent opposition the Cheka was used but in 1922 it was dissolved and replaced by the GPU State Political Administration.

Essay Questions: How far do you agree that the brutality of the Bolsheviks was the main reason why they remained in power in the years 1917–24? (Jan 2011) How far do you agree that the Bolsheviks consolidated their hold on power in the years after the October/November revolution mainly through the use of violence against their opponents? (Jan 2013) To what extent were the weaknesses of their opponents responsible for the survival of the Bolshevik government in the years 1917–24? (June 2009)

How far was Lenin responsible for the Bolsheviks’ growing hold on power in the years 1917–24? (Jan 2010)

How far do you agree that Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army was responsible for the survival of the Bolshevik government? (June 2012) Similar model essay available to all of the above essays in this section in My Revision Notes book p58 ­ 59