Revolutions of 1917
What sparked the February Revolution?
Bread shortages, war fatigue, strikes, mutiny in Petrograd
Who were the main sides in the Civil War?
Reds (Bolsheviks) vs Whites (monarchists, liberals, foreign intervention)
What replaced War Communism in 1921?
New Economic Policy (NEP)
What was the Five-Year Plan?
Rapid industrialisation targets set by Gosplan
Role of propaganda?
Cult of Stalin, socialist realism, control of press
Which party led the October Revolution?
Bolsheviks under Lenin
One policy of War Communism?
Grain requisitioning; nationalisation of industry
One feature of NEP?
Small-scale private trade allowed, “scissors crisis” later
Example of industrial success?
Dnieper Dam, Magnitogorsk, growth in coal/steel output
Women’s status under Stalin?
Encouraged workforce participation, restricted abortion, pro-family policy
What slogan summarised Bolshevik appeal?
“Peace, Land, Bread”
Why did the Reds win the Civil War?
Trotsky’s leadership, unity, control of central areas, White disunity
What debate did NEP spark within the party?
“Socialism in one country” vs “Permanent revolution”
What was collectivisation?
Forced merging of farms into kolkhozes, targeting kulaks
How was education controlled?
Focus on technical skills, indoctrination in Marxism-Leninism
Why was the Provisional Government unpopular?
Continued WWI, failed land reform, dual power with Soviets
Effect of War Communism on peasants?
Resistance, famine (1921), Kronstadt revolt
How did Stalin outmanoeuvre Trotsky?
Alliances with Zinoviev/Kamenev then Bukharin; controlled party machine
How did the Great Terror consolidate Stalin’s power?
Eliminated rivals, instilled fear, ensured obedience
Effect of Stalinism on religion?
Persecution of clergy, destruction of churches, atheism promoted
Assess Trotsky’s role in October 1917.
Organised Red Guards, controlled Military Revolutionary Committee; crucial to success
Evaluate the importance of leadership vs geography in Red victory
Historians argue both were decisive; Trotsky’s leadership + control of transport networks critical
Assess the role of ideology vs Stalin’s political skill in his rise.
Historians argue skill (party positions, manipulation) outweighed ideology
Evaluate whether Stalin’s economic policies were successful.
Industrial growth significant; agriculture chaotic, famine (esp. Ukraine, 1932–33)
Assess the extent Soviet society benefited under Stalin.
Some modernisation and literacy; outweighed by repression, famine, terror