So in October 1917 the Bolsheviks replaced the Coalition Government. This is known as the October Revolution. However, all the problems the Coalition Government faced did not disappear and on top of that Lenin was facing huge opposition from the Soviets, which even became a civil war. The Bolsheviks overcame the struggles of the first 6 months after the October Revolution by simply giving in into the worker’s and peasant’s requests. This was one of the party’s policies that were based on Lenin’s April thesis.
A recurring theme throughout the period is the regime’s desire to maintain autocracy, which Lenin’s disregard for democracy in any area and opposition shows. This point is further emphasized by Alexander III’s belief that change was a risk and not necessary, as he argued by criticizing his father and also practically demonstrated by reducing the powers of the Zemstva. Repression was increased substantially to deal with opposition and apart from Nicholas II under whom it was briefly paused, this set the basis for Russian rule in the rest of the period. Despite Khrushchev’s easing of repression, the damage had been done under his predecessors Lenin and Stalin in removing any threat posed by opposition and ensuring that their rule remained untouched, in a further demonstration of their opposition to change.
Assess the role of Lenin in the development of the Bolshevik regime between 1917 and 1924 Lenin played a significant role between the years 1917 and 1924 as leader of the Bolsheviks party within the revolution, overthrow of the Provisional Government and the consolidation of their power to achieve dictatorship over Russia. However despite his impact, his influence was romanticised and idolised after his death, encouraged by Stalin, which consequently exaggerated his role in the eyes of many historians. This is shown in the 500,000 people that attended his funeral and the number of statues that were placed in towns across Russia following the event; contributing to the way historians viewed Lenin, ignoring reality. The primary source of Lenin’s importance within his role is the internationalist view that focuses on the key moments of the Bolsheviks throughout 1917 to 1924 that he was fundamental for. These consist of firstly, his encouragement of the revolution in 1917 through his confidence in his theory and timing.
Brendan Forrest 997 683 617 HIS242H1S For: Nimrod Lin April 6th, 2012 Red Victory: How the Whites Lost the Russian Civil War Following the events of the revolutions of 1917, including the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, Russia was at a point whereby there was an opportunity for a single force to consolidate its power. The Bolsheviks had established the Red Guard in the February revolution – a group of workers as well as deserters of the Imperial army – one that would forcefully seize Petrograd as well as other major Russian cities that had formerly been governed by the now defunct Monarchy. A provisional government had been previously been established and the Russian Constituent Assembly was dissolved by the Bolsheviks, setting the table for the appointment of the Soviets as the new government of Russia. In the middle of these radical changes to the political landscape in Russia, a storm brewed whereby anti-Bolshevik forces sought to effectively put a stop to the rapid and foreign socio-political changes occurring within the state. This would lead to a civil war that would last from February 1918 until November of 1920.
The Germans, who continued making territorial gains (marked 2), eventually began aiding the pro-Tsarist White Russian forces, attempting to stem the very revolt they had helped to foster. However the damage to the Russian infrastructure was too great, and the "White" Russians were eventually forced from power by the "Red" Communists. The treaty of Brest-Litovsk was finally concluded with the new Bolshevik government on March 3, 1918, stripping their country of all provinces west of the Ukraine. That treaty was annulled by the Armistice of November 11, and the new government in Moscow eventually re-established its presence in all of the previously held lands. Ironically, one of the lasting actions by the Bolsheviks was the attempted indoctrination of German prisoners-of-war.
To what extent was the leadership of the Bolsheviks the reason for their success in the Civil War in Russia from 1918-21? The Bolshevik’s new government was still in its infantry stages when the Civil War broke out, threatening the foundation they had created for their socialist state. It is to a critical extent that the leadership of the Bolsheviks was the reason for their victory in the Civil War in Russia from 1918-1921. Lenin’s introduction of the severe policies under war communism dealt with the disastrous economic and military situation that the Bolsheviks were facing with the onset of the Civil War, and although exasperating social problems it ensured the survival of the industrial areas under Red control and kept the Red armies fed and supplied. Lenin’s skilled use of propaganda and the importance of the cause of ‘mother Russia’ harnessed the support of the peasants and working class in the face of another revolution.
However, Lenin had accepted that this was due to the slogan which he had adopted which was ‘Land to the Peasants.’ The ‘Decree on Workers’ Control’:- During 1917, there were a large number of factories which had been taken over by the workers. The decree accepted the takeover of the workers but did also instruct the workers committees to maintain ‘the strictest order and discipline’ within the workplace. Vesenkha:- Body to oversee economic development Creation of the Cheka, 1917:- Lenin was determined to impose absolute Bolshevik rule by suppressing of all political opposition. The October coup of the Cheka enables the Bolsheviks to deal with their opponents. Attitudes amongst Bolsheviks towards the war:- Some wanted the continuation of a revolutionary war against Germany whereas on the other hand, other people wanted an immediate peace to lessen the strains that were upon Russia.
To have power of the railway lines meant that they could send soldiers and artillery to any place in the battle area. Opponents of the Bolsheviks, known as the Whites, had some major disadvantages, although they had a large amount of supporters, they were scattered around the central area; they were often hundreds and hundreds of miles between each army. The geographical distance between the troops meant that communications between each other were extremely difficult and that is if they even wanted to communicate. Another reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War was because; they were united and had only one aim which was to stay in power so that they could build the new Socialist society. However many members on the side that was against the Bolsheviks had other ideas.
After Lenin’s death, there was a dispute over the succession between Bukharin, Trotsky, Kamenev and Stalin. Trotsky could end the dispute and took power as the head of the Bolsheviks with Lenin's Testament, which criticized the oppositions Trotsky. However, he did not do it, and Stalin, using his position in the Bolshevik Party was able to get his men in high positions and policies through a swing, a union with his opposition to displace others, was able to take power in 1923 and the elimination of his violent Trotsky opposition, using a "ban on faction’’. In some cases, single-party leaders use a combination of legal and illegal methods to come to power. For Stalin, what he did was entirely legal.
The main reasons for why the Reds won the Civil War the geographical factors affecting the war, support for the Bolsheviks and the Red Army and crucially were the leadership of Trotsky. The first reason why the Reds were able to win the Russian Civil War was down to the superior leadership skills of Trotsky compared to the Whites. Using strategic propaganda tactics and superb military leadership, he commanded the Red Army into victory. The first reason why the Reds had such a better leader was the way he chose and commanded his army. This was firstly by very strict military discipline.