the triumph of bolshevism: russia, 1918-29. consolidation of power, 1918 lacked a plan lacked a plan...

The Triumph of The Triumph of Bolshevism: Bolshevism:

Russia, 1918-29Russia, 1918-29

Consolidation of Power, Consolidation of Power, 19181918

Lacked a planLacked a plan Used existing structures – Used existing structures – State State

CapitalismCapitalism Authority existed in Authority existed in MoscowMoscow and and

Petrograd Petrograd alonealone Problems:-Problems:-

Industrial production 2/3 1914 levelsIndustrial production 2/3 1914 levels Inflation rocketedInflation rocketed Transport crippledTransport crippled 13m tons short of grain13m tons short of grain


Decree on LandDecree on Land – need for food – need for food Decree on Workers’ ControlDecree on Workers’ Control Largely legalised what was already Largely legalised what was already

happeninghappening VesenkhaVesenkha took control of ‘economic took control of ‘economic

life’life’ Nationalised banks and railwaysNationalised banks and railways Cancelled foreign debtCancelled foreign debt

Result – serious fall in productionResult – serious fall in production


Abolished all titles – ‘comrade’ Abolished all titles – ‘comrade’ became standard greetingbecame standard greeting

Creation of Creation of ChekaCheka (called (called GPU GPU after after 1922)1922)

Red ArmyRed Army founded founded Marriage Code gave married women Marriage Code gave married women

equal rights with husbandsequal rights with husbands Schools brought under State controlSchools brought under State control


Constituent AssemblyConstituent Assembly dissolved at gun- dissolved at gun-pointpoint

Bolsheviks gained barely a ¼ of seatsBolsheviks gained barely a ¼ of seats Lenin dismissed democracy as ‘bourgeois’Lenin dismissed democracy as ‘bourgeois’ Criticism from Criticism from Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky andand Rosa Rosa

LuxemburgLuxemburg Reasons:Reasons:

Hold on power was precariousHold on power was precarious Lenin argued that Soviets already existedLenin argued that Soviets already existed Lenin claimed SRs and Kadets had rigged Lenin claimed SRs and Kadets had rigged

electionselections


Treaty of Brest LitovskTreaty of Brest Litovsk WWI had been an imperial warWWI had been an imperial war Lost vital grain producing land – Lost vital grain producing land –

UkraineUkraine Lenin faced stiff oppositionLenin faced stiff opposition Allies funded Bolsheviks’ enemiesAllies funded Bolsheviks’ enemies Treaty null and void in Nov. 1918Treaty null and void in Nov. 1918

Civil War, 1918-20Civil War, 1918-20 Causes:Causes:

Dissolution of Constituent Assembly – Dissolution of Constituent Assembly – ‘Whites’‘Whites’ Bolsheviks were a ‘minority party’Bolsheviks were a ‘minority party’ Lenin welcomed a ‘show down’Lenin welcomed a ‘show down’ ‘‘Greens’Greens’ (Ukrainians / Georgians) believed (Ukrainians / Georgians) believed

Bolsheviks were imposing Russian rule on the rest Bolsheviks were imposing Russian rule on the rest of the countryof the country

Struggle for food (Petrograd bread ration reduced Struggle for food (Petrograd bread ration reduced to 50 grams per day and population of city went to 50 grams per day and population of city went from 3m to 2m – migration to countryside)from 3m to 2m – migration to countryside)

SRs attempted a coup in Moscow (2 failed SRs attempted a coup in Moscow (2 failed assassination attempts on Lenin in July and August assassination attempts on Lenin in July and August – bullet lodged in neck)– bullet lodged in neck)

Civil War, 1918-20Civil War, 1918-20 40,000 40,000 Czech troopsCzech troops still in Russia – still in Russia –

marching to Vladivostok to meet up with marching to Vladivostok to meet up with AlliesAllies

SRs organised uprisings in central RussiaSRs organised uprisings in central Russia White ‘volunteer army’ led by White ‘volunteer army’ led by General General

DenikinDenikin in Caucuses (south) in Caucuses (south) Czech legion encouraged White army Czech legion encouraged White army

under under Admiral KolchakAdmiral Kolchak in Siberia in Siberia (north)(north)

In Estonia, ex-Trasist In Estonia, ex-Trasist General YudenichGeneral Yudenich encourage White ‘resistence army’ (east)encourage White ‘resistence army’ (east)

Civil War, 1918-20Civil War, 1918-20

White weaknesses:White weaknesses: Fought in separate detachmentsFought in separate detachments Unwilling to sacrifice individual differencesUnwilling to sacrifice individual differences Widely scattered geographicallyWidely scattered geographically Made up of socialists, liberals and conservativesMade up of socialists, liberals and conservatives Only common purpose was hatred of Only common purpose was hatred of

BolshevismBolshevism Too reliant on overseas aidToo reliant on overseas aid Whites imposed reign of terror on areas they Whites imposed reign of terror on areas they

controlledcontrolled Lacked quality leaders like TrotskyLacked quality leaders like Trotsky


Reds’ strengths:Reds’ strengths: Controlled central Russia and maintained supply Controlled central Russia and maintained supply

lineslines Controlled two major cities Moscow and Controlled two major cities Moscow and

PetrogradPetrograd Controlled railway networkControlled railway network Controlled industrial areas – access to munitionsControlled industrial areas – access to munitions Could claim that Whites were ‘in league with Could claim that Whites were ‘in league with

foreign interventionists’foreign interventionists’ Had driving sense of purposeHad driving sense of purpose Brilliantly organised and led by Brilliantly organised and led by TrotskyTrotsky


Foreign intervention (Foreign intervention (Britain; France; Britain; France; USA; JapanUSA; Japan):): After After Treaty of Brest LitovskTreaty of Brest Litovsk wanted to prevent wanted to prevent

war supplies getting into German handswar supplies getting into German hands French especially wanted to recover Russian debtFrench especially wanted to recover Russian debt Occupied major ports of Occupied major ports of Murmansk, Archangel, Murmansk, Archangel,

Odessa and VladivostokOdessa and Vladivostok Allies wanted to prevent spread of communism, Allies wanted to prevent spread of communism,

e.g.:e.g.: SparticistSparticist uprising in Berlin, 1918 uprising in Berlin, 1918 Communist republic in Communist republic in BavariaBavaria, 1918-19, 1918-19 Hungary – Hungary – Bela KunBela Kun, 1918, 1918


Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, PolishEstonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish troops also occupied Russia to gain troops also occupied Russia to gain independenceindependence

Reasons for withdrawal:Reasons for withdrawal: Little co-operation between the occupiersLittle co-operation between the occupiers Threats of mutiny in French and British Threats of mutiny in French and British

regimentsregiments War-wearyWar-weary Allies withdrew by 1920; Japan by 1922Allies withdrew by 1920; Japan by 1922

Lenin portrayed as ‘saviour of nation’Lenin portrayed as ‘saviour of nation’

Red TerrorRed Terror Chief instrument = Chief instrument = Cheka Cheka (renamed (renamed GPUGPU in in

1922)1922) Destroy ‘Destroy ‘counter-revolution and sabotagecounter-revolution and sabotage’’ Led by Led by Felix DzerzhinskyFelix Dzerzhinsky (Polish intellectual (Polish intellectual

aristocrat)aristocrat) Law unto itself – answerable only to LeninLaw unto itself – answerable only to Lenin Granted unlimited powers of arrest, detention Granted unlimited powers of arrest, detention

and tortureand torture July 1918 at July 1918 at EkaterinburgEkaterinburg murdered murdered

RomanovsRomanovs Climate of Civil War ‘justified the terror’Climate of Civil War ‘justified the terror’

Red TerrorRed Terror

Feb 1918 Decrees authorising execution of Feb 1918 Decrees authorising execution of Bolsheviks’ opponentsBolsheviks’ opponents

May 1918 Declaration of war on ‘peasant May 1918 Declaration of war on ‘peasant bourgeoisie’bourgeoisie’

May 1918 creation of May 1918 creation of grain requisitioninggrain requisitioning squadssquads

July 1918 military July 1918 military conscriptionconscription imposed imposed Feb 1919 forced labour camps createdFeb 1919 forced labour camps created Dec 1919 Trotsky announced ‘Dec 1919 Trotsky announced ‘militarisation militarisation

of labourof labour’ and abolished trade unions’ and abolished trade unions

Red ArmyRed Army Created by Created by TrotskyTrotsky – Lenin gave him total – Lenin gave him total

confidenceconfidence Heavily armed train as military HQHeavily armed train as military HQ Attached Attached political commissarspolitical commissars to army to army Death sentence for desertionDeath sentence for desertion Re-imposed ranks, titles and rigid disciplineRe-imposed ranks, titles and rigid discipline Enforced Enforced conscriptionconscription Those of ‘questionable’ social background Those of ‘questionable’ social background

used for backbreaking labourused for backbreaking labour Elite of w/c troopsElite of w/c troops

War Communism, 1918-War Communism, 1918-2121

Linked to Linked to Red TerrorRed Terror Harsh economic measures adopted during Harsh economic measures adopted during Civil Civil

WarWar Decree on NationalisationDecree on Nationalisation – all major heavy – all major heavy

industries under central controlindustries under central control Military needs came first and many industries Military needs came first and many industries

were starved of resourceswere starved of resources Factories deprived of manpower due to Factories deprived of manpower due to

conscriptionconscription Scarcity of goods whilst government continued Scarcity of goods whilst government continued

printing money led to hyperinflation. By 1920, printing money led to hyperinflation. By 1920, rouble fell to rouble fell to 1%1% of 1914 value of 1914 value

Industrial output at Industrial output at 30%30% of 1914 levels by 1921 of 1914 levels by 1921

War Communism, 1918-War Communism, 1918-2121

Claimed Claimed KulaksKulaks were hoarding grain, but truth were hoarding grain, but truth was that they saw no point in producing grainwas that they saw no point in producing grain

Cheka Cheka sent to sent to requisition grainrequisition grain Lenin ordered ‘merciless suppression’ of KulaksLenin ordered ‘merciless suppression’ of Kulaks Results = national famineResults = national famine By 1921 grain production By 1921 grain production less than 50%less than 50% of 1913 of 1913

levelslevels Lenin accepted foreign aid, but cancelled it by Lenin accepted foreign aid, but cancelled it by

19231923 Even though the policy failed some communists Even though the policy failed some communists

supported it as being true to their valuessupported it as being true to their values

Kronstadt Rising, 1921Kronstadt Rising, 1921 War CommunismWar Communism maintained after end of maintained after end of

Civil WarCivil War Severity of WC increased Bolshevik Severity of WC increased Bolshevik

unpopularityunpopularity Opposition even developed within the PartyOpposition even developed within the Party Alexandra KollontaiAlexandra Kollontai led a ‘Workers’ led a ‘Workers’

Opposition’Opposition’ Petrograd went on strikePetrograd went on strike By 1921 thousands of workers crossed from By 1921 thousands of workers crossed from

Petrograd to Kronstadt and linked up with Petrograd to Kronstadt and linked up with sailors and dockworkers – led by sailors and dockworkers – led by PetrochenkoPetrochenko

Kronstadt Rising, 1921Kronstadt Rising, 1921 Kronstadt ManifestoKronstadt Manifesto (inc.): (inc.):

Freedom of speech, press, assembly and for trade Freedom of speech, press, assembly and for trade unionsunions

Ending of special food rations for party membersEnding of special food rations for party members Ending of one-party stateEnding of one-party state Withdrawal of political commissars from factoriesWithdrawal of political commissars from factories

Had been great supporters of Bolsheviks in Had been great supporters of Bolsheviks in 19171917

Artillery bombardment then 60,000 Red Army Artillery bombardment then 60,000 Red Army troops sent in. Savage fighting, but all workers troops sent in. Savage fighting, but all workers killed and those who escaped were rounded up killed and those who escaped were rounded up and shotand shot

Bolsheviks claimed that they were ‘White Bolsheviks claimed that they were ‘White agents’, but afterwards abandoned WC.agents’, but afterwards abandoned WC.

New Economic Policy, New Economic Policy, 1921-281921-28

Serious lack of food Serious lack of food Replaced ‘force with persuasion’.Replaced ‘force with persuasion’. Key features:Key features:

Central economic control relaxedCentral economic control relaxed Requisitioning replaced by ‘Requisitioning replaced by ‘tax-in-kindtax-in-kind’’ Peasants allowed to sell surplus for profitPeasants allowed to sell surplus for profit Public markets restoredPublic markets restored Money reintroduced as a means of Money reintroduced as a means of

tradingtrading


Restored ‘Restored ‘mixed economymixed economy’’ Lenin stressed it was a ‘Lenin stressed it was a ‘temporary temporary

concessionconcession’’ State still controlled large-scale State still controlled large-scale

industry, banking and foreign tradeindustry, banking and foreign trade Disturbed many in party such as Disturbed many in party such as

Trotsky who objected to Trotsky who objected to NEPmenNEPmen Lenin introduced Lenin introduced Ban on FactionsBan on Factions to to

silence objectionssilence objections


BukharinBukharin converted to NEP and converted to NEP and convinced many other Bolsheviks to convinced many other Bolsheviks to do likewisedo likewise

Production figures suggested that Production figures suggested that policy worked, e.g. factory output and policy worked, e.g. factory output and wages more than doubled, wages more than doubled, agricultural production also increasedagricultural production also increased

However, industry stagnated and However, industry stagnated and urban unemployment remained highurban unemployment remained high

‘‘Great Turn’, 1928Great Turn’, 1928

Stalin’s aims:Stalin’s aims: Abandoned NEP – lacked ‘capacity’Abandoned NEP – lacked ‘capacity’ Modernisation of economyModernisation of economy ‘‘second revolution’second revolution’ Overtake the WestOvertake the West Self sufficiencySelf sufficiency

GosplanGosplan in charge of central planning in charge of central planning CollectivisationCollectivisation IndustrialisationIndustrialisation – – 5 Year Plans5 Year Plans

Leadership StruggleLeadership Struggle Lenin impressed by Stalin’s organisational Lenin impressed by Stalin’s organisational

abilityability By 1912 Stalin one of six key membersBy 1912 Stalin one of six key members Stalin helped to found Stalin helped to found PravdaPravda Stalin supported the Stalin supported the October RevolutionOctober Revolution Stalin was Georgian – very helpful to Stalin was Georgian – very helpful to

Lenin and became Lenin and became Commissar for Commissar for NationalitiesNationalities during Civil War during Civil War

Brought him into conflict with Brought him into conflict with Trotsky, Trotsky, Commissar for WarCommissar for War

Leadership StruggleLeadership Struggle

But, Stalin had offended Lenin:But, Stalin had offended Lenin: Stalin had been rude in discussions with Stalin had been rude in discussions with

officials in Georgia whose support Lenin officials in Georgia whose support Lenin neededneeded

‘‘Storm of abuse’ against Storm of abuse’ against KrurskayaKrurskaya, , Lenin’s wife – called her a ‘whore’Lenin’s wife – called her a ‘whore’

After this, Lenin dictated his After this, Lenin dictated his TestamentTestament

Accused Stalin of being rude and Accused Stalin of being rude and encouraged others to remove him from encouraged others to remove him from his positions of authorityhis positions of authority

Leadership StruggleLeadership Struggle Stalin lacked ‘brilliance’, but was willing to Stalin lacked ‘brilliance’, but was willing to

undertake laborious administrative workundertake laborious administrative work As government grew certain posts became more As government grew certain posts became more

important. Stalin’s jobs:important. Stalin’s jobs: Commissar for NationalitiesCommissar for Nationalities – appointed regional – appointed regional

officialsofficials Liaison OfficerLiaison Officer – could monitor policy and personnel – could monitor policy and personnel Head of Workers’ InspectorateHead of Workers’ Inspectorate – oversee work of – oversee work of

all departmentsall departments General SecretaryGeneral Secretary – could build up personal files on – could build up personal files on

all party membersall party members ““The indispensable link in the chain of The indispensable link in the chain of

command”command”


Stalin was in charge of the Stalin was in charge of the Lenin Lenin EnrolmentEnrolment, 1923-25. Crammed party , 1923-25. Crammed party with his own loyal supporters.with his own loyal supporters.

Stalin also benefited from Stalin also benefited from Ban on Ban on FactionsFactions

Stalin very effectively capitalised on Stalin very effectively capitalised on Lenin’s legacy:Lenin’s legacy: ‘‘Cult of Lenin’Cult of Lenin’ Lenin’s FuneralLenin’s Funeral Suppression of Suppression of Lenin’s TestamentLenin’s Testament


Trotsky was ‘own worst enemy’Trotsky was ‘own worst enemy’ Brilliant, but no power base in the partyBrilliant, but no power base in the party Until 1917, Trotsky had been a Until 1917, Trotsky had been a MenshevikMenshevik Sometimes arrogant and sometimes Sometimes arrogant and sometimes

diffidentdiffident Inhibited by his Inhibited by his ‘Jewishness’‘Jewishness’ Other leading Bolsheviks such as Other leading Bolsheviks such as KamenevKamenev

and and ZinovievZinoviev were determined to prevent were determined to prevent him becoming leader. him becoming leader.

Trotsky seen as the Trotsky seen as the NapoleonNapoleon figure figure

Leadership StruggleLeadership Struggle BureaucratisationBureaucratisation vs vs party democracyparty democracy NEPNEP – – Left CommunistsLeft Communists vs vs Right Right

CommunistsCommunists Permanent Revolution vs….Permanent Revolution vs….

Encourage worldwide revolution for w/cEncourage worldwide revolution for w/c Individual nations did not matterIndividual nations did not matter To protect communism in RussiaTo protect communism in Russia

…….Socialism in One Country.Socialism in One Country Russia to become self-sufficientRussia to become self-sufficient Survival and modernisation of Russia was the prioritySurvival and modernisation of Russia was the priority Invasion of Poland in 1920 showed limits of Perm. Invasion of Poland in 1920 showed limits of Perm.

Rev. Rev.


Stalin, Kamenev, Zinoviev vs Stalin, Kamenev, Zinoviev vs TrotskyTrotsky

1925 Trotsky relieved of his position 1925 Trotsky relieved of his position as Commissar for War – Stalin could as Commissar for War – Stalin could deliver the votes at Party Congressdeliver the votes at Party Congress

In 1927 Trotsky was exiledIn 1927 Trotsky was exiled Stalin then turned on Kamenev and Stalin then turned on Kamenev and

Zinoviev (Left) over the issue of the Zinoviev (Left) over the issue of the NEP. NEP. He was backed byHe was backed by Rykov, Rykov, Tomsky and Bukharin Tomsky and Bukharin (Right)(Right)


Stalin then defeated Stalin then defeated RightRight through through ‘Great ‘Great Turn’Turn’

Stalin believed in forced modernisation Stalin believed in forced modernisation through through collectivisationcollectivisation and and industrialisationindustrialisation

The Right’s ideas appeared timid by late-The Right’s ideas appeared timid by late-1920s and they were poorly organised and 1920s and they were poorly organised and supported compared to Stalinsupported compared to Stalin

By 1929, Stalin had emerged as supreme By 1929, Stalin had emerged as supreme leaderleader

ReligionReligion Marx: Marx: ‘opium of the people’‘opium of the people’ No place for organised religion (No place for organised religion (Orthodox Orthodox

Church; Judaism; IslamChurch; Judaism; Islam)) Decree on Separation of Church and State:Decree on Separation of Church and State:

Church properties confiscated Church properties confiscated Clergy no longer paid salariesClergy no longer paid salaries Church organisations disbandedChurch organisations disbanded Religious teaching forbidden in schoolsReligious teaching forbidden in schools 300 priests executed; 10,000 exiled by 1924 (300 priests executed; 10,000 exiled by 1924 (Show Show

TrialsTrials)) Monasteries and Churches looted and desecrated Monasteries and Churches looted and desecrated Propaganda campaign to ridicule the Church Propaganda campaign to ridicule the Church Union of the Militant GodlessUnion of the Militant Godless

Bolshevism became the ‘new religion’, e.g Bolshevism became the ‘new religion’, e.g Red WeddingsRed Weddings

Women and the FamilyWomen and the Family Wanted to free women from slavery of Wanted to free women from slavery of

marriage:marriage: Legalised divorceLegalised divorce Recognised illegitimate children as full citizensRecognised illegitimate children as full citizens Legalised abortionLegalised abortion State responsibility for raising of childrenState responsibility for raising of children Helped women into work and political activityHelped women into work and political activity

Alexandra KollontaiAlexandra Kollontai believed in free love, believed in free love, but Lenin was unimpressed by her brand of but Lenin was unimpressed by her brand of feminismfeminism

However, policy was strongly resisted and However, policy was strongly resisted and had many negative side-effects, e.g had many negative side-effects, e.g abandoned pregnant women and childrenabandoned pregnant women and children

The ArtsThe Arts Create new type of human being – Create new type of human being – ‘Homo ‘Homo

Sovieticus’Sovieticus’ ProletcultProletcult – workers movement to create new – workers movement to create new

Russian culture, but really led by a small elite Russian culture, but really led by a small elite (ended in 1922)(ended in 1922)

Writers and artists would express values of new Writers and artists would express values of new Soviet RussiaSoviet Russia Writers’ circlesWriters’ circles Amateur dramatic groupsAmateur dramatic groups Art studiosArt studios Poetry societiesPoetry societies

Many of these based in factories; literacy Many of these based in factories; literacy increased 20%increased 20%

Cheka (GPU)Cheka (GPU) imposed strict censorship imposed strict censorship

EducationEducation Combined education and political propagandaCombined education and political propaganda Religious education replaced by ‘communist Religious education replaced by ‘communist

values and atheism’values and atheism’ Schools placed under Schools placed under Commissariat for Commissariat for

EnlightenmentEnlightenment Authority of teachers and discipline reduced in Authority of teachers and discipline reduced in

favour of greater freedom for studentsfavour of greater freedom for students Traditional teaching methods abandonedTraditional teaching methods abandoned Although literacy improved, overall standards Although literacy improved, overall standards

declineddeclined Youth groups: Youth groups: Pioneers for Children andPioneers for Children and

KomsomolKomsomol

the triumph of bolshevism: russia, 1918-29. consolidation of power, 1918 lacked a plan lacked a plan...

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