Context
Which government governed in Russia between March to October 1917?
Provisional Government
What was the name of the Soviet government established following the Bolshevik's seizure of power in October 1917?
SOVNARKOM
When did the Russian Civil war begin?
1918
Which policy in the countryside did the NEP end?
Requisitioning
In which year was the USSR founded?
1922
What does the term 'Soviet' mean?
Name the reform passed by Sovnarkom in October 1917 that transferred control of the land to the peasantry.
Extra 100 points if you accurately outline ONE other reform (Teacher can manually edit score).
Decree on Land
Others reforms:
Decree on Peace, Decrees on the army and navy, workers' decrees, creation of the vesenkha
How many collateral deaths did the Russian Civil War cause?
10 million
Identify the TWO other resolutions passed at the 10th Party Congress.
Ban on Factions
Introduction of chistki or purges
What demographic fact about the old Russian Empire made it necessary for the Soviet state to be a 'union of peoples'?
The Russian Empire was made up of many different national peoples.
On behalf of whom or what did the Bolsheviks seize power in October 1917?
The Soviets
Name the period of repression conducted by the Cheka from 1918?
Red Terror
Name THREE forces that fought the Russian Civil War.
Democrats, Whites, Nationalities, Anarchists, Green Armies, Foreign interventionist forces or expeditions
100 points can be manually added for each correct example.
heavy industry, banking/finance, foreign trade
The Bolsheviks had different visions for how much control should be exercised over the republics that made up the USSR - some favoured greater autonomy and others dependence.
Which leading Bolshevik favoured the first and which favoured the second?
Autonomy of the Republics - Lenin
Dependence of the Republics - Stalin
What is the phrase used to describe the situation in Russia where two forms of government existed between March to October 1917?
Dual Power
What was the name of the parliament abolished by Sovnarkom in January 1918?
Extra 100 points: why?
Constituent Assembly
Reasons: The Bolsheviks were only the 2nd largest party in the Assembly. Also, they genuinely saw the assembly as an illegitimate 'bourgeois' democracy.
Outline why the Kronstadt Rebellion of 1921 was a 'lightning flash' for Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
The Kronstadt Sailors has been some of the staunchest original supporters of the Bolshevik coup in 1917. Their rebellion in 1921 showed that the base of support for the Bolsheviks and Sovnarkom was in grave danger.
Explain why the NEP saw an increased flow of grain into the cities and towns.
End of requisitioning = assurance to peasants that their food would not be stolen.
Free market in grain = incentive to sell crops on the market
Peasants sold their crops = grain flowed into the cities and towns.
Explain the difference between the Bolshevik Party and the Soviet system.
The Soviet system was a form of government based on the soviets that had arisen in 1917. The Bolsheviks had no formal role in this system, but had exercised control over it from 1917.
Correctly answer ALL of the following:
1. True or False - The Bolsheviks were the same as the Soviets.
2. Roughly, how many Soviets were there?
3. What was the most influential Soviet?
4. What is a grassroots organisation?
1. False
2. Hundreds
3. Petrograd
4. An organisation rising from the ordinary or common people.
Correctly answer ALL of the following questions:
1. With whom was the treaty signed?
2. Match the following rounded percentages to losses caused by the treaty: 50%, 30%, 30% (arable land, population, industrial centres)
3. The treaty caused which party to take up arms against the Bolsheviks?
1. Germany
2. Arable land - 30%, population - 30%, industrial centres - 50%
3. Socialist Revolutionaries
Outline the three features of War Communism.
Nationalisation of industry: capitalism was abolished and the government took control over the economy.
Military discipline for workers: workers were subject to military discipline
Food requisitioning: the government would take food from the peasants, using force if necessary.
EASY QUESTION IN DISGUISE:
What was the name of the small businesspeople who facilitated trade between the countryside and the cities/towns?
NEPmen
100 points bonus answer: The NEPmen posed an ideological problem for the Bolsheviks as they were private business people or capitalists. They therefore represented a step backwards in building socialism/communism.
Correctly answer ALL of the following questions:
1. What proportion of Sovnarkom roles were held by Bolsheviks?
2. What proportion of high-ranking official roles were filled by Bolsheviks?
3. What proportion of all other official roles were held by Bolsheviks?
4. Which organs of the Bolshevik Party decided Soviet policy?
1. 100%
2. 100%
3. 55% (50% an acceptable answer)
4. Politburo, Central Committee