Bolshevik Ideology
What was the primary goal of the Bolshevik ideology?
To establish a proletarian state through the overthrow of the bourgeois government.
What years did the Russian Civil War take place?
1917 to 1922.
What was the primary purpose of the first Five-Year Plan introduced in 1928?
To rapidly industrialise the Soviet economy.
Who was Leon Trotsky and what was his role in the Bolshevik Revolution?
He was a key leader and theorist who played a major role in the revolution and served as the head of the Red Army.
What was War Communism?
An economic policy that involved nationalisation of industry and forced requisition of agricultural products during the Civil War.
Who is considered the main theorist behind Bolshevik ideology?
Vladimir Lenin.
What were the two main factions in the Russian Civil War?
The Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks).
What sector of the economy did the Five-Year Plans focus on primarily?
Heavy industry.
What position did Joseph Stalin hold before he became the leader of the USSR?
General Secretary of the Communist Party.
How did the New Economic Policy (NEP) differ from War Communism?
The NEP allowed some private enterprise and small-scale capitalism to stimulate the economy.
What does the term "dictatorship of the proletariat" mean in Bolshevik ideology?
A temporary state in which the working class holds political power to suppress the bourgeoisie.
What role did foreign intervention play in the Russian Civil War?
Foreign powers supported various factions, including the White Army, aiming to undermine the Bolsheviks.
What measures did the Soviet government implement to incentivize workers and managers to meet the production targets set by the Five-Year Plans?
The government introduced a system of rewards, including bonuses, awards, and recognition for high achievers, as well as harsh penalties for those who failed to meet quotas.
Who was Nikolai Bukharin and what was his stance within the Communist Party?
A prominent Bolshevik and supporter of the NEP, advocating for a mixed economy.
What was collectivisation and why was it implemented?
The consolidation of individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled enterprises to increase agricultural productivity.
How did Bolshevik ideology view the concept of nationalism?
It generally viewed nationalism as a bourgeois construct to be replaced by proletarian internationalism.
What was the significance of the Kronstadt Rebellion?
It was a major uprising by previously pro-Bolshevik sailors, highlighting widespread disillusionment with the Bolshevik regime.
How did the Five-Year Plans impact workers' lives in the Soviet Union?
They faced increased demands, often working long hours under difficult conditions.
What happened to Trotsky after the power struggle with Stalin?
He was expelled from the Communist Party, exiled from the Soviet Union, and eventually assassinated in Mexico.
What were the negative impacts of collectivisation on the peasantry?
It led to widespread famine, resistance, and the deaths of millions
Who introduced the idea of "premanent revolution" and why was this perceived necessary?
Initially advocated by Trotsky, it suggested that the revolution should be continuous and was the only way a backwards nation like Russia could be sufficiently managed.
How did the Bolsheviks manage to secure victory in the Civil War?
Through superior organisation, control of central Russia, and the leadership of figures like Trotsky. Management of resources, censorship and propaganda to support the war effort.
What role did Lenin play in shaping the early Soviet state?
As leader, he established the foundations of the Soviet state, including key policies like War Communism and the NEP.
How did the NEP help stabilise the Soviet economy post-Civil War?
It revitalised agriculture and small industry by reintroducing market mechanisms, leading to economic recovery.