Lenin

Question 1

Lenin key role

Answer 1

Chairman of Sovnarkom (Council of Peoples Commissars) 1917-1924

Question 2

Lenin 3 key ideals

Answer 2

staying in power
compromising ideals
attempting to implement socialism

Question 3

When was the Sovnarkom (Council of Peoples Commissars) created?

Why?

Significance?

Answer 3

Oct 26th, 1917

need to consolidate Bolshevik control over soviets across Russia

became basis of Bolsheviks single-party dictatorship

Question 4

3 reform decrees passed by Sovnarkom in first two months

date + description for each

Answer 4

Decree on Peace (26th Oct 1917) - promised end to WW1

Decree on Land (26th Oct 1917) - authorised peasant land redistribution

Decree on Eight-Hour Working Day (29th Oct 1917) - improved conditions for workers

Question 5

2 positive outcomes of reform decrees

1 negative

Answer 5

Bolsheviks secured high level of support from workers and gained acceptance of peasants

many gains later nullified by harsh measures of War Communism

Question 6

When did Lenin dismiss the Constituent Assembly?

How?

Significance

Answer 6

5th Jan 1918

intimidated deputies with 5000 pro-Bolshevik soldiers

Bolshevik dictatorship consolidated

Question 7

When was state capitalism introduced?

What was it?
(2 points)

Significance?

Answer 7

December 1917

free trade and private enterprise remained legal, nationalised industries.
Attempt to implement socialism

proved insufficient to meet needs of red army during civil war (men sent to war, lack of workers), forced to shift to war communism

Question 8

3 Decrees implemented during war communism

date + description of each

Answer 8

Decree on Food Procurement (May 1918) - all ‘surplus’ grain grown by peasants was to be requisitioned by force

Decree on Nationalism of Industry (June 1918) - all factories taken over by Soviet gov

Decree on Abolition of Private Trade (Nov 1918) - money abolished, workers paid in rations

Question 9

3 Effects of war communism

Answer 9

worker resentment increased as key factories were militarised

50% of workforce fled cities from 1918-1921

Industrial production fell 75% from 1917-1921

Question 10

Connect war communism to Lenin’s leadership

Answer 10

Lenin’s failure to create sustainable rationing system caused economic breakdown in cities

Question 11

When was the 10th Party Congress?

What resolution did Lenin pass and what did it do?

Significance of this?
(2 points)

Answer 11

March 1921

‘On Unity’ - banned factions and ordered a purge of critics in the party

criticism of Lenin’s leadership neutralised, outlined his desire to suppress all rival groups

Question 12

2 Effects of the NEP (1921)

Answer 12

production increase between 1921-1927 (grain and industry 100% increase, electricity 300%)

Living standards remained low, workers criticised NEP as “New Exploitation of the Proletariat”

Question 13

What was the NEP a return to?

What does this reflect about Lenin’s leadership?

Answer 13

return to state capitalism

compromised on socialist ideals to stay in political power and revitalise the economy