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Russia
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When was the Okhrana operational? | Which form of police state existed between the dates- Beginning of course- 1917 Feb Rev |
| When was the Cheka operational? | Which form of police state existed between the dates- Dec 1917 - End of Civil War 1921 |
| When was the GPU operational? | Which form of police state existed between the dates- 1922 - 24 |
| When was the OGPU operational? | Which form of police state existed between the dates- 1924 - 1934 |
| When was the NKVD operational? | Which form of police state existed between the dates- 1934 - end of course |
| What major law was passed in 1861 by Alex II | Emancipation of the Serfs |
| Zemstva established in 1861 | Alex II started these were elected local councils. They were not strictly democratic but did provide a form of representative govt which offered some hope for liberals |
| The People’s Will formed 1874 | A group of extreme social revolutionists that before 1905 (When they were infiltrated by Azar (a spy)) they managed to mainly use bombs to assassinate over 2,000 govt officials. Victims inc Stolypin Alex II |
| Social Democrats formed in 1898 | Founded by Plekhanov and based on the ideas published in the communist manifesto. Many felt they weren’t active enough so in 1903 they split. |
| 1894, death | Alexander III dies, his son Nicholas is now Tsar. This is also where our course officially begins. |
| Narodniks party formed in 1901 | Lead by Chernov. These are the richer folk who would set their lives aside and “go to the people”, eg live with peasants. They were unpopular with peasants and often driven from villages. |
| 1897, An economic achievement from Witte | The Russia Rouble is put on the gold standard which means that it was stronger when exchanged with foreign currencies |
| Famine in 1901 | this event led to peasant revolt, it was caused by poor weather and rising population but also by a lack of attention from govt due to deep focus on heavy industrial growth This revolt ends in 1903 |
| 1903, SDs split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks | Due to confusion over the party’s direction and fears that it was not radical enough. |
| Describe the Bolshevik party in 1903? | Led by Lenins Small centralised leadership People worked in “cells” Sought to form a socialist consciousness amongst the workers. (Lenin sought to skip Marx’s explanation of communism eg go from feudalism to communism- called Leninism) |
| Describe the Menshevik party in 1903? | Led by Martov Broadly based and democratic Seeking things like Trade Unions (Sought to bring a nice capitalist system that would happily progress to communism in time, as Marx had explained) |
| 1904, statistic on the success of Witte’s economic and industrial policies | Railway doubled from 1890. However, even by 1914, the trans siberian railway was not completed, but it was a good symbol of growth |
| Feb 1904, war | Russo-Japanese war begins. This will a humiliating loss for Russia in August 1905 But why?- Pursuing expansionist policy to make up for relative decline in Europe Obtain ice-free port (Port Arthur) Distract from Russia’s domestic issues |
| 1905, SR party effectively ended how? | The People’ Will is successfully infiltrated by Tsarist spy Azar! |
| 1905, arrival | Rasputin begins to be involved in the Royal Family |
| Jan 1905, Bloody Sunday | 50-100,000 peacefully protested calling for rights- Lead by Father Gapon Tsar’s Winter Palace The Tsar panicked and ordered soldiers to shoot 130 dead and 300 wounded according in Historian Ascher ‘little father’ was dead. Jan, 400,000 on strike |
| January 1905, war saga | Russians surrender Port Arthur (Russo-japanese war) |
| Mar 1905, war saga | Russian army defeated at Mukden (Russo-japanese war) |
| May 1905, war saga | Russian navy destroyed in the Tsushima Straits (in an hour, it took 6 months to get there) (Russo-japanese war) |
| Jun 1905, war and rebel saga | Mutiny on the Potemkin Battleship after being fed rotten meat The crew killed several officers They failed to trigger any further mutinies and escaped to Romania The Tsar sent troops into Odessa and ordered them to shoot killing 2000 innocents |
| Aug 1905, Treaty of Portsmouth | Russo-Japanese war over with which treaty Despite having been sacked in 1903, Witte is brought back to sign it |
| August 1905, University saga | Universities are opened as fully autonomous institutions This is following them being effectively locked down by the Uni Statue (1887) |
| Oct 1905, General Strike | The first Soviet in St Petersburg 2.5 million striking in St Petersburg alone Everything forced to close So bad the Tsar considered imposing martial law October manifesto saves the Tsar- essentially promised conditional monarchy |
| October 1905, Witte’s October Manifesto | Being the most skilled in parliament, this was led by Witte constitutional monarchy Dumas Freedom of speech, conscience, association, unwarranted arrest saved the Tsar. isolated the radicals by accommodating the liberals. |
| Describe the Kadets | led by Milyukov The largest party they believed the Manifesto was not enough and they sought a constitutional monarchy and a democratically elected assembly Formed after the Oct Rev when the Mensheviks split into Octoberists and Kadets |
| Describe the Octoberists | Led by Guchkov & Rodziako Moderates who believed that the October Manifesto was enough. Formed after the Oct Rev when the Mensheviks split into Octoberists and Kadets |
| Nov 1905, November strike | Much less support as the Octoberists/mensheviks were satisfied Also the people had run out of money so had to work |
| November 1905, Peasant unrest | peaked in November with 130 estates burned in the Tambov region |
| Dec 1905, Violent uprising in Moscow | ???????? |
| July 1906, Stolypin’s field courtmarshaled begin | Hanging rope nicknamed Stolypin’s necktie it was so bad 1000s peasants 60,000 political detainees were- Exiled Executed Forced labour (Followed the Vyborg Appeal) |
| Apr 1906, Witte and economic success | Witte secures a huge loan from France that stabilise the economy and protected the tsar It gave the Tsar confidence as it decreased the likelihood of financial control from the Dumas |
| April 1906, ARTICLE 87 | Part of the Fundamental Laws undermining October Manifesto. Duma bi-cameral Caused Vyborg Appeal The Tsar also had control over military, foreign appointment Tsar could pass laws in “exceptional circumstances” Stolypin's Peasant reforms |
| April 1906, 1st Duma established | Lasted 2 months Mostly ruled by radicals eg Kadets~50% There was a lot of argument but little was achieved. The Tsar claimed it to be unworkable so dissolved it |
| Jun/Jul 1906, Vyborg Appeal | After the first Duma was dissolved, over 200 Kadet governors met in Finland trying to radicalise the people there- disobeying conscription orders Refusing to pay taxes. It backfired as it led to random acts of violence |
| Jul 1906, Stolypin saga | Stolypin becomes Prime Minister |
| 1907, De-revolutionising the Peasants | Redemption payments are no more under Stolypin. Like the October Manifesto had calmed the workers, this policy had a similar idea. The Peasants felt insecure due to high land repayments so this made them feel better |
| February to June 1907, 2nd Duma | Mostly Trudoviks and Kadets Attacks between right and left wing parties, often ending in brawls. The Left fought Stolypin’s land reforms. The Right claimed the Left were subversive and unworkable so the Duma was dissolved |
| Nov 1907- June 1912, 3rd Duma | fairly balanced right and left wings. Much more workable changed the voting system Passed law ensuring a minimum of 4 years education for all Developed JPs, Health Insurance and the army Was ended because it had eclipsed its maximum length |
| Mar 1911, Downfall triggered | Stolypin marks his downfall by suspending both chambers of parliament to establish zemstvo in the Western Provinces |
| Sep 1911, death | Stolypin assassinated by SRs |
| Nov 1912 until August 1914, 4th Duma | Fairly similar to Duma #3 in terms of seats. Some tension over the Lena Goldfields Massacre eg crit the govt and didn’t let it slide. Discussions over how to end drunkenness education eg salaries, development of Orthodox Church Voluntarily closed |
| Apr 1912, Lena Goldfields Massacre | 200 dead when the army was brought in to deal with a strike over pay and conditions in serbia. |
| Aug 1914, Battle of Tannenberg | First Russian clash with the Germans General Sansonov took his own life as a result Russia lost 170,000 men Germans lost 13,000 men |
| Sept 1914, Battle of Masurian Lakes | Russia lost 125,000 men Germans lost between 10-40,000 men |
| July 1915, Progressive Bloc | The Tsar was pressured into reconvening the Duma. About ⅔ Duma came forward wanting to be involved in the war effort to prevent the country from slipping into revolution. They called for a ‘MINISTRY OF NATIONAL CONFIDENCE’ response Duma suspended |
| August 1915, Tsar now Commander Chief (Describe it) | Competent Generals such as Brusilov were not given enough support Used the military headquarters (Mogilev) as a retreat It was also a mistake as every military failure was now his sole responsibility He left Tsarina and Rapustin in Govt |
| May-Dec 1915, Full scale Russian retreat | Russia lost 1 million and 1 million were taken prisoner |
| June 1916, Brusilov Offensive | Brusilov was the only competent general Only successful Russian advance Crappy Generals did not act to support him so the gains were lost |
| 1917, What did Rodzianko find during his fact finding mission | On the Russian Front lines Provision for injured soldiers was ABYSMAL morale was hard hit At officer's incompetence And their lack of regard for soldiers' welfare Tens of thousands deserted |
| Jan 1917, protests | 150,000 on the streets to commentate Bloody Sunday |
| 1914-1915, provisions | Zemstravas and the Union of municipal Councils stepped in and provided supplies for soldiers were the govt could not eg providing health care and boots. However, the govt regarded them with the utmost hostility and suspicion so never worked with them |
| 1915-1917, provisions | The Union of Municipal councils and the Zemstrava joined efforts to become ZEMGOR |
| 18th Feb 1917, Putilov Steel works | major strike starting in this location, which was the largest and most politically active in Petrograd. They hit the streets in ever greater numbers for 5 days due to rumours that the bread was going to be rationed |
| 23rd Feb 1917, International Women’s Day | women of all classes Women went to factories to tease men to get them to join women tram drivers went on strike and overturned their trams By the evening they had a mass of people on the Nevsky Prospekt (a road) |
| 25th Feb 1917, Feb Rev events (soldiers) | Soldiers from the petrograd garrison started to join the protest. They were all young conscripts from the country and terrified of the thought of the front. martial law were impossible However, the police were still loyal to the govt |
| 26th Feb 1917, Feb Rev events, alienation | Troops ordered to fire on crowds. This further aligns the soldiers with the people By the end of the day, the soldiers are helping the people fight the police |
| 27th Feb 1917, Feb Rev events, formations | the fighting is largely over Progressive Bloc formed the Provisional committee the Bolshevik party formed the Petrograd Soviet |
| 1st Mar 1917, Order No.1 | Soldiers committees- control of weapons The military couldn’t move without the permission of the Soviet No formal language in addressing officers |
| 2nd Mar 1917, abdication | Tsar abdicates, in favour of his brother the Grand Duke Michael, but he refuses to take up the poisoned chalice. Thus the Provisional committee becomes the Provisional Govt and they declare the 1st decree -1st decree |
| What were some of the key differences between the prov govt and Petro Sov? | Prov- Offensive War, Continue Russian Empire, Land was not a priority, delay the elected constituent assembly. Vs Petro- Defensive or no war, fast consituent assembly, impatient to solve land disputes, National Minorities should be free |
| 3-6th July 1917, July Days | ACCORDING TO TROTSKY workers attacked workers (thought the revolution was premature) 20,000 armed soldiers from Kronstadt had arrived to take power from the prov govt The Bolsheviks shut it down and were also blamed for it. Kerensky gained status |
| Aug 1917, Kornilov Affair | Kornilov marched troops towards Petrograd Bolshevik militia was called the Red Army and had 10,000 men. Bolsheviks heros, and Kerensky’s reputation weakened. This was a huge deal for Bolsheviks |
| 8th Sep 1917, Achievements of the Bolsheviks | Bolsheviks had dominated Petrograd Soviet This meant that Lenin could return- he was desperate for revolution as the Constituent Assembly was dated for the 27th |
| Oct 1917, Bolshevik outrage | Zinoviev and Kamenev publicly came out against the planned oct rev. Its effects would only really be seen in Stalin’s domination. Kerensky, on hearing this, attempted to close the Bolshevik newspapers and make arrests |
| 24-27th Oct 1917, invasion | Bolsheviks take over key govt buildings Such as the Winter Palace, guards fled and by 2am it was their’s |
| 26th Oct 1917, sovnarkom established | This was the Council of People's Commissars and the main organ for the Bolsheviks |
| 27th Oct 1917, All-Russian Congress of Soviets meet | Many walk out in disgust after Kerensky announces that the provisional government had been taken over by the Bolsheviks. This walk out gave the Bolsheviks even more power to manipulate the govt |
| Oct 1917, decree on Land | abolition of private property Redistribution of land amongst the peasants - described what was already happening. |
| Oct 1917, Decree on Peace | asking for “all belligerents to open negotiations without delay for a just and democratic peace… without annexations and indemnities’ The Germans did agree a true in December and started negotiations |
| Nov 1917, Decree of Worker’s Control | Control of factories given to workers Again just what was already happening Workers’ committees |
| Dec 1917, Vesenka established | established to control economy elements- Govt in control of banks and railways Debts to foreign nations cancelled (Not gonna give to capitalists Other countries will be furious) Will be renamed Gosplan (govt’s economic planning agency) in 1921 |
| Dec 1917, Decree of the Rights of the People of Russia | Independence to national minorities of the old empire Largely irrelevant as most of these nations were being controlled by Germany |
| Nov-Jan 1917-8, Elections | For Constituent Assembly- The Bolshevik party came second to the SRs with 175 seats to 370. (This is mostly because the SRs are supported by the peasants) |
| 5th Jan 1918, Debut and end of Constituent assembly | Lenin had once wanted to keep the constituent assembly to weaken the Provisional Govt, but since he was already in power, he had no need of democracy. It was dissolved at gunpoint by Red Guards (Link to Bloody Sunday) |
| 6th Jan 1918, Lenin’s speech on the dissolution of the constituent assembly (quote) | “To hand over power to the Constituent assembly would again be to compromise with the malignant bourgeoisie. Nothing in the world will induce us to surrender to the Soviet Power. The Soviet Revolutionary Republic will triumph no matter what the cost” |
| March 1918, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk | Trotsky was forced to sign- Condititons- Russia lost ⅓ population Lost Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, Georgia and Finland ⅔ coal mines ⅓ agriculture Nearly all available oil and cotton industry |
| December 1918, Cheka | secret police force under Dzerzhinsky By summer 1918- they began to clamp-down on on SRs esp after they tried to assassinate Lenin They were also charged with destroying the m/c and Kulaks They were disbanded in 1922 and replaced by GPU |
| Spring 1918 to the end of 1921, Civil War | Lasted 4 years and occurred in 5 stages. The brutality seen in this time set a violent precedent for communism And nullified any positive benefit of Bolshevik decrees |
| Spring 1918, Stage 1 of the Civil war | Opposition from Cossacks (under General Kornilov) from Don region and the Urals nullified Lenin announces the end of the war is nigh - Then foreign parties begin to get involved - British Marines sent to oppose them |
| May1918, (Stage 2) | Revolt of the Czech legion- 40,000 Czech troops found themselves isolated after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk so battled their way By Nov 1918 disbanded Red Conscription is introduced |
| June 1918 (Stage 2 of Civil War) | The Tsar and family were executed by the Cheka SRs govt is established in Samara |
| August 1918, (Stage 2 of Cheka) | Trotsky began executing deserters (Showed the necessity of Red Army cohesion) More foreign troops from USA and UK establish an anti-bolshevik govt at Archangel |
| September 1918, (Stage 2 of Civil War) | Directory Govt in Omask set up to oppose Bolsheviks Opposition generally called ‘White armies’ by now |
| November 1918 (Stage 2 of Civil war) | Admiral Kolchack announced himself as supreme leader of the Whites Operating out of the directory Govt in Omask Controlled an extensive area in Siberia |
| December 1918 - end of 1920 (Stage 3 of Civil war) | Whites fought against Reds Reds were mainly based in Moscow and were being attacked from all sides |
| Oct 1919 (Stage 3 of Civil War) | Reds scored notable victories over Whites- Against General Deniken at Orel However, General Yudenich reached the outskirts of Petrograd but was then defeated |
| July 1918, (stage 3 of Civil War) | Whites take Kharkov and Taritsyn, which gets Trotsky criticised. He hands in his resignation but this is refused |
| january 1920, (Stage 3 of Civil war) | Admiral Kolchak resigned (executed by Bolesheviks later) GREEN ARMY Ukraine (and other places) demanded a separate national identity They fought both Reds and Whites (After the Reds had taken Kyiv in February tjat year |
| February 1920, (Stage 3 of civil war) | Resistance from nationalists appeared to be receding As seen by Estonia signing peace agreement with Sovnarkom |
| November 1920, (stage 3 of Civil war) | Red forces drove the rest of Whites from Southern Russia as Wrangel, the last surviving white general is defeated in the Crimea |
| May 1920 (Stage 4 of Civil war) | Polish army invades Russia and occupies Kyiv The Reds respond by pushing them back to Warsaw where the Reds are defeated in August |
| March 1921, The treaty of Riga | Part of Stage 4 of the Civil war. Poland given substantial amounts of land in Belarussia (now Belarus) and Ukraine Russia did not regain this until 1939 |
| Throughout 1921, (Stage 5 of Civil war) | Semi-independent peasant armies opposed Bolsheviks - Aiming to get more freedoms from them. The reds ended successful |
| By the end of the war, how many conscripted serfs contained in the Red Army? | ~5 Million |
| 1918, Changing role | Trotsky was made Commissar for war at the point of Red Disintegration. He got old Tsarist officiers to lead armies by holding their families hostage Ended Soldier's committees Trotsky’s train |
| Describe Trotsky’s train | Fully Equipped with weapons, food, equipment, medical and tactical supplies, vehicles. Constantly travelling across Russia 4 locomotives and 2 full sets of carriages and a staff of 369 by the end (Travelled 70,000 miles in the Civil War) |
| What were the elements of War Communism (1918-1921) | Nationalisation- State control of factories and larger enterprises Militarisation of labour- People forced to work solely for war Grain requisitioning-peasants to hand over surplus grain Peasants stop farming, soldiers still take= famine 1920-1 |
| 1920-1, Famine | Causes- War communism, grain requisitioning, Drought and Disruption caused by civil war Production -50% that of 1913 Despite famine relief coming from the US, it is thought that by the end of the 5 million had died of famine |
| March 1921, Kronstadt rising | 1st time Trotsky faced rebellion from w/in the party Sailors at Kronstadt naval base mutinied Workers from Petrograd joined them=protested more freedoms together (Bolshevik leaders lost sight of Proletariat) 50,000 troops to reclaim island 10,000 dead |
| March 1921, The New Economic Policy (money introduced from 1922) | End of War Communism. private property=stability(partly caused by the Kronstadt rebellion) Grain Requisitioning Abolished (Now a tax in kind (grain)) Small businesses, profits allowed Heavy indus/banks controlled by state but must suceed alone NEPmen |
| Who were the NEP men (1921-27) | Private traders like the Bag men of war communism (sold goods on the black market, evaded Cheka so people could survive), but they were legal (but not popular with govt) They grew from basic traders to business folk 3/4 retail trade by 1923 economy okay |
| 1921, Ban on Factions | Agreed at the 10th party Congress. One uniform party policy that could not be disputed after it was agreed, The punishment for breaking this rule was expulsion. (Because Lenin had been angered over party divisions during the 1920s) |
| Why did the Reds win the Civil War? | Red Strengths - Red geographical advantages organisation/ strategy/ unity in leadership and aims by Trotsky White weaknesses (Separation) geographical disadvantages Divided leadership/ geographically/ aims Foreign Intervention ineffective |
| Why did the Red Terror occur (1918 -1922) | opposition- Dzerzhinsky captured in May by SRs SR uprising in Petrograd nearly succeeds in June German Ambassador shot in July 1918 by SRs 30 Aug 1918 Lenin shot by an SR Chaos of the Civil War=control (white terror) War Communism copy=French Rev |
| What did the Red Terror involve? | 300,000 dead Limited central control 315 Labour Camps for White PoWs and uncooperative individuals Class war - extermination of m/c |
| What things were very bad about the NEP? (1921-27) | Attacks on political rivals - Show trials began Crushing of Peasant revolts - eg Tambov Attacks on Churches - stripping churches/ death to leaders Est GPU instead of Cheka Censorship - deportations of those critical to govt etc |
| 1922, Tambov Rebellion | Peasant armies that were a threat due to proximity to Moscow inc attacking requisitioning squads Reds struggled to gain control Whole rebel villages were destroyed in a brutal campaign. (Villages that complied rewarded w/salt and manufactured goods) |
| March 1919, Politburo | Org formed with 7 members. Lead decision making ahead of the Sovnarkom. The party was becoming more vital than the state. |
| 1923, Nomenklatura system | ensured that key personnel in public bodies were pro Bolshevik Overt loyalty meant more than expertise - it became an elite. |
| 1922-23, Illness | Lenin had several strokes in these years until March 1923 where he lost the power of speech |
| Strengths of Lenin | Leadership Adaption of Marx Pragmatism Self belief Dedication Ruthlessness |
| Weaknesses of Lenin | Overworked himself to death Ruthlessness- ignored human cost Authoritarianism Setting terrible precedents Took too long to see the evil in Stalin and did not stop him effectively |
| January 1924, death | Lenin dies leaving no clear leader of the Communist Party |
| How did the population of Petrograd change during the civil war? | It fell from 2 million to 600,000! |
| Summary of Stalin’s life between 1902-1912 | Got arrested frequently for Bolshevik related crimes. (inc robbing banks to fund the party) And was exiled to Siberia.(The only leading Bolshevik to have remained in Russia throughout the whole period) |
| Where was Stalin in the Feb rev 1917 | Who was the first to be in Petrograd at this time |
| Who are the key figures that could have replaced Lenin as party leader after 1924? | Zinoviev Kamenev Stalin Trotsky Bukharin |
| What was Stalin’s position in the party after the Oct Rev? | Commissar for national minorities because he was one (Georgian), he had had minor roles before this |
| What was Stalin’s position in the party in 1919 (before May) | One of Lenin’s better organisers had died and Lenin was running out of top administrators so Stalin was given the role of Head of Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspectorate. |
| What was Stalin’s position in the party from May 1919? | Lenin put Stalin in charge of the Orgburo and was then elected into the new Orgburo (This put him in a position to monitor party policy and personnel (build a Stalin faction) |
| What was Stalin’s position in the party after 1922? | Stalin was appointed Party Secretary. This meant he was in charge of general organisation. He would record can convey party policy and it enabled him to build profiles on all members of the party Nothing of note happened without his knowledge |
| What happened to Communist party membership between 1923 and 1925? | Increased from 340,000 to 600,000 |
| May 1924, Lenin’s Testaments | stopped by Kamenev and Zinoviev. Said that Stalinshould be removed as general secretary as- He had verbally abused Krupskaya bullied georgian commies (Lenin had to intervene) often disobeyed orders esp trotsky (yet they were harsh on all key members) |
| Who was Pobednonstsev? | Tutor to Nicholas II Very Conservative/antidemocratic/antisemitic Encourages Russification |
| What key economic policies did Witte introduce? | The Great Spurt- Tariffs/Taxes Trains/Trans Siberian Railway Loans from France Industrial Revolution Gold Standard |
| What happens in 1900-1903 which halts progress? | There is a Global Slump Causes a famine (due to fragile agricultural economy) Witte is sacked |
| Before 1905, what were the aims of the liberal opposition? | Reform over revolution. Focus on Rule of Law and at most a constitutional monarchy. This is why they are satisfied with the Oct Manifesto |
| What did Zubatov do from 1903 | Creates the first trade unions called Soviets. They were established because police felt that they would be better able to prevent opposition by talking with striking workers. |
| What were the pro-Tsar groups emerging post 1905? | The Union of Russian People (1000 branches by end of 1906) They formed the basis of the Black Hundreds (Paramilitary gangs violent towards anyone remotely left or Jewish) |
| How many Jews were killed in Russia in the last 2 weeks of October? | over 3000 |
| 28th January, Lenin’s funeral | after a week of public mourning and spectacle where theatres etc closed. Trotsky wasn’t present for reasons unclear as he was on sick leave. Stalin gave the key speech which reignited the cult of Lenin, statues, his brain preserved, memorabilia, etc |
| May 1924, 13th party congress | Lenin’s Testaments suppressed by Kamenev and Zinonviev as they wanted to use Stalin against Trotsky to destroy him. Trotsky is outvoted and loses his position as War Commissar |
| 1924, Permanent Revolution | This slogan was Trotsky’s. The future of the patry should be focussed on spreading communism globally rather than focusing on Russia alone (This would also be the only way to protect Russia) |
| (end of) 1924, Socialism in one country | This slogan was Stalin’s. The future of the party involved modernisation and to increase living standards within Russia to prevent collapse. It was popular with Russians who liked the idea that their country could be better than the West |
| 1925, NEP issues | Kamenev and Zinoviev supported enforced industrialization Stalin switched to Burkharin’s support of continuation of the NEP |
| Summer 1925, factionalism issues | Trotsky joins Kamenev and Zinoviev in the United Opposition. This is defeated by Stalin’s supporters, they all lose their positions |
| December 1927, 15th party congress | Having recently been expelled from the Orgburo, Trotsky launches a direct challenge (with K and Z) against Stalin. Trotsky is exiled to Siberia and all lose membership |
| 1927, Policy-fear of war | Stalin turns against Bukharin as he decides Russia needs to quickly industrialise and so must do this as a state, Those in opposition were allowed to remain in the party if they apologise for their NEP beliefs |
| December 1929, Stalin’s position | By this time Stalin is undisputed leader of the Communist Party |
| What was the great turn (1928 onwards) | Stalin believed that Russia was 100 years behind Europe industrially and that this would have to be made it. Crash course industrialization in 2 veins, Collectivisation Industrialization |
| What did collectivisation entail (1928 onwards) | Stalin tried to force Peasants unwillingly onto collective farms (run communally, like a factory) hundreds of thousands killed directly 7 million died of famine etc Millions forced to migrate |
| What did Industrialisation entail (1928 onwards) | 5 year plans. Impossibly high targets set, poor planning, incentive to drive motivation became about staying alive and protecting your family from Stalin’s wrath If factory failed, manager put on public trial, would confess to being evil=executed |
| Why was Trotsky the ideal party leader? | He was the party’s best orator. Incredible track record as commissar of War |
| Why did Trotsky not end up being Party leader? | He was arrogant and so failed to attract loyalty, so he didn’t build up a power base like Stalin did. He was his own worst enemy- eg not fighting for himself until it was too late, He also lacked self belief in some aspects |
| 1929, exile | Trotsky is exiled from Russia |
| Define Collective farms | Co-operatives in which Peasants pooled their resources and shared the labour and wages. |
| Define State farm | Contained peasants who worked directly for the state for a wage |
| Under Stolypn’s reforms how many Peasants had left their mirs | 10% by 1914 |
| Define Kulaks | considered Bourgeoisie, to be liquidated Under Stalin, ‘Kulak’ meant any peasant with drive to produce well or with animals such as horses (They were used as a scapegoat to justify Collectivisation eg these people were hoarding grain for profit) |
| Between Dec 1929 and 1930, how many peasant farms had been collectivised? | Nearly 50% |
| Why were women at the front of Anti-collectivisation resistance? | Women were organisers of the household so felt the consequences first They stood together and supported each other However, not even their valiant efforts prevented the inevitable |
| By 1941, how many peasant farms had been collectivised? | almost 100% |
| To highlight a figure, how much livestock was slaughtered in Kazakhstan between 1929 and 1930? | 90% In response/resistance to collectivization |
| 1932-3, famine | Collectivisation caused despair and in some places people stopped producing so they starved Although the official party line was to pretend it wasn’t happening 10-15 million peasants died |
| Lynne Viola on Stalin’s treatment of the Peasantry | between 1930-2 Stalin drove 2 million peasants into internal exile as slave labours A huge number dying of exposure and hunger |
| In what way may Stalin’s Collectivisation policy been a good thing for Russia | Land hunger and a lack of space had been an issue since the emancipation of the serfs (1861) It solved some of that because so many people died and were displaced that the land literally had less people to feed. (So ignoring the vast human sacrifice it |
| Describe the first 5 year plan | It wasn’t so much a plan but more a set of quotas that were expected to be met. When they were hit they were revised higher It was mostly a propaganda campaign that tried to be a cultural revolution (getting people see industrialization in a new way) |
| Define cultural revolution (during the 5 year plans) | Recognised by Fitzpatrick and Nove- New ideal man - homo Sovieticus - almost a new species |
| success of the first 5 year plan? | Coal and Iron production increased incredibly. However living standards actually deteriorated as the focus was only on heavy industry and collective not individual |
| Define Wreckers | These were a scapegoat similar to Kulaks. They were people who protested against industrialization or in some way messed up production even by turning up late. They would receive public trials and execution |
| Summarise the second and third 5 year plans | Similar to the First one but with more reasonable targets. Still a lack of organisation so some places would face under or over production. Machines would remain broken for lack of spare parts etc Living standards did not really increase |
| Who were the Stakhonavites? | guy produced 14x the quota in 1, 5hr shift Model worker Those who copied were given material rewards and holidays etc But created problems due the perfect conditions needed to do this. If managers tried to stop this they could be arrested as wreckers |
| What was Magnitogorsk? | This was an iron rich city in the. It became a huge centre for production with young Russians and worldwide communists coming to work However a third of the workforce were enslaved kulaks. |
| What evidence was there that collectivisation was not working? (1930) | Stalin published an article called ‘dizzy with success’ which blamed the horrors on overzealous managers, had them killed so things could restart after harvest was collected that year |
| 1932, Death | Stalin’s wife, Nadezhda Allilueva took her own life in protest of the horrors of collectivisation and the fact all of her friends had been arrested |
| What was the Ryutin platform (1932)? | This was a 200 page doc criticising Stalin. Stalin called for his death but he was only arrested. |
| Feb 1934, Kirov | Stalin’s closest friend. Emerged as a popular alternative to Stalin in the 17th Party Congress and was named “Secretary of equal rank” He was killed the next december after and this triggers the Great Terror |
| 1935-6, The Purge of the party | Zinonviev, Kamenev and 14 others were forced through show trials, confessed to impossible crimes and executed |
| December 1934, The Decree against Terrorist acts | passed within 2 hours of Kirov’s assassination Trigger legalising the great terror. |
| 1936, Communist Constitution | Bukharin had drafted it and it claimed that- Soviet Society was classless Everyone had basic civil rights However it did not define the role of the party nor restrict its powers. |
| May 1937, Purge of the army | Vyshinsky (state prosecutor) announced that there was a great conspiracy within the armed forces, Generals were arrested to “prevent” a military coup All army forces faced purges and lost most of their leadership. |
| Proportion of Russian society arrested during the purges | 1 in 8 Almost every family lost at least one family member |
| What was the quota system used by the NKVD in the Great Terror? | This was where Yezhov (head of the NKVD) gave numbers that his soldiers had to kill. This had no bearing on guilt, only on availability |
| Define Nomenklatura | These were people crazy loyal to Stalin during and after the Purges of whom he used to replace the old Bolsheviks |
| 1926, Konsomol | Had existed under Lenin but is now formalised, Communist Union Union of Youths aged 14-28. Membership was not compulsory but an easy way into the party. Young, enthusiastic supporters of Stalin, flooded to industrial sites and deeply supported 5Yrplans |
| Summarise Stalin’s Cult of Personality | Stalin was not just leader but ingrained in every aspect of life, the embodiment of the nation itself |
| 1928, Religious persecution | Religion with its otherworldly values, was seen as an affront to the collective needs the nation Main focus on the Orthodox Church but all institutions risky Instead, cult of Stalin. Lenin, Stalin, Marx and Engels=new icons |
| 1932, Stalin calls for “the engineering of the human soul” | Birth of the genre, socialist realism. Invaded all art forms as they were all collectivised. Art was not self expression but the nation’s expression of communism. Many arrested and killed for not conforming to censors |
| Starting December 1929, Stalin’s birthday | The greatest celebration in the Soviet Calendar. Day-long parades, marching troops, dancing kids, Stalin would stand high, overlooking Lenin’s tomb |
| 1935, Soviet Academy of sciences | Covered 250 subjects for 50,000 members. Inc all intellectual work eg arts, medicine, agriculture and management. However, it was pledged to Stalinism so subjects like History would rewrite themselves to make Stalin a hero |
| 1936, restrictions on divorce | In 1917, divorce had been free because marriage is ownership. This was restricted under Stalin as they emphasised the importance of raising kids esp because Stalin was facing issues on the shear number of orphans around. |
| 1936, restrictions on homosexuality | Went from being open and available to forbidden |
| 1936, restrictions on abortion | Went from being completely free and accessible whenever to being practically impossible |
| 1938, imprisonment of Vsevolod Meyermold | For his ideas of Total Theatre, where theatre was alive and needed freedom. He was killed in 1940 after facing torture in prison |
| 1940, Literacy rate | 81% by this date. |
| 1940, Statistics on Churches vs 1917 | 500,000 churches in 1917, 500 open in 1940 |
| 1941, War | USSR is invaded by Germany |
| 1907-1914 | industrial growth 6% per annum |
| 1914, production statistics | Russia 4th largest producer of Coal Pig-Iron Steel Baku oil fields were only rivalled by Texas |
| Russia 1914, worker statistics (where was most stuff made? | 67% worked in small workshops not factories (they only produced 33% of goods) |
| Wages in 1914 vs wider europe | ⅓ Western Europe average, By 1940 still only subsistence wages |
| Orlando Figes on the Tsar | ‘Nicholas was the source of all the problems’ |
| Beryl Wiliams on Father Gapon and why he failed | Argued that father Gapon ‘had a real conviction of his destiny to improve the lot of the Russian w/c… but he had no political strategy other than the reliance on the Tsar to help him’ |
| Beryl Williams on the 1905 rev | The 1905 rev was born of economic improvement when that improvement did not help people equally |
| Ascher- Statistics on Bloody Sunday | 130 dead and 300 wounded |
| Figes, Abt Bloody Sunday | ‘The revolution had been truly born… in the very bowels of the people’ |
| Darty, on the 1905 rev | ‘in fact the revolutionary left was taken by surprise and was wholly unprepared’ |
| Lenin on the 1905 rev | it was ‘a dress rehearsal’ for 1917 (many historian disagree as 1905 was spontaneous, but it was for the same reasons, land hunger, workers’ struggles, political autonomy desires) |
| Ascher on Stolypin’s vision | ideas for the transformation of Russia were ‘more feasible and more likely to lead Russia out of the abyss than any other’ |
| Pipes on Stolypin | ‘Stolypin stood head and shoulders above his immediate predecessors and successors in that he combined a vision of the desirable with a sense of the possible’ |
| Ferro, the 3rd Duma | a ‘new Oasis of political and academic freedom in russia’s political desert’ |
| Norman Stone, on military production | By 1916, the Russians were matching the Germans in shell production 1000% growth in the output of artillery and rifles The Russian was not on the verge of collapse of defeat in 1917 but still intact as a fighting force |
| Service, on 1917 rev | Though WW1 allowed for a radical upheaval, even before the war some kind of revolutionary clash was practically inevitable. |
| Figes (Quoting a young Sergeant about 1917 rev) | “it would be better to die with honour than to obey any further orders to shoot the crowds” |
| McCauley on the prov govt | If it had carried out the promised reforms then it could have survived ‘The greatest feature of the government was inactivity’ |
| Maxim Gorky, on lenin | He was a ‘cold blooded trickster who spares neither the honour nor life of the proletariat’ |
| Chris Ward on why Stalin took power with ease | By the time Lenin’s health started to deteriorate, Stalin was “...the only leader who was simultaneously a member of politburo, Orgburo, Secretariat and Central Committee…” He also had 7 years of military experience |
| Apr 1903, Kishinev Pogrom | Attack on Jewish Russian citizens- 49 dead, +500 injured, 2000 homeless families. Russification:restricting national minorities eg banning their language and teachings Jewish people: 600 new measures easy scapegoat most living in ghettos in Russia. |
| 1914, war | WW1 begins |
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