Lenin’s death saw the Politburo of Stalin, Trotsky, Tomsky, Rykov, Kamenev and Zinoviev proclaim their intentions to continue as a collective leadership. Secretly however, they took leads to become an individual leadership. Stalin was the quickest off the mark, gaining the advantage of being the chief mourner at the Funeral, in which he dedicated himself to follow the tradition of Lenin, another claim to be the Heir. It was expected that Trotsky, the other main competitor against Stalin, would counter it. However, he did not even attend the funeral claiming to have been given the wrong date, which was simply proven to be an excuse (although he had). Trotsky also unusually declared Stalin as the future ‘dictator of the USSR’.
Trotsky’s reluctance to act was part of his complex personality, often described as being his own worst enemy. Of intellectual brilliance, he suffered from lack of judgement. It was possible that his reluctance was brought on by his Jewish background. Lenin once offered him Deputy Chairman of the Soviet Government, but he rejected on the grounds that it would be in embarrassment to Lenin ‘give enemies grounds for claiming that the country was ruled by a Jew’.
Lenin’s testament was a dangerous thing to handle. Stalin’s reputation of being Lenin’s heir would be damaged beyond repair if it was released, however fortune favoured him and the Testament also criticised the Politburo members. The Central committee, viewing the document realised it was too damning to everyone rather than just one person and so it was out ruled, and Trotsky was seen as the main threat.
The Triumvirate, Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev was formed, aiming to isolate Trotsky further. Lenin’s enrolment helped, as the new members found Trotsky to be obscure, whilst Stalin was down to earth and methodical. Trotsky was only supported by the Red Army, but nobody political, and so he was an ‘outsider’. Some Bolsheviks saw him still as a Menshevik.
Trotsky attempts to fight back however through three points
- Bureaucratisation, in which the party ‘abandoned genuine discussion within the party and the secretariat was growing out of control’ Lenin had also noted this, but Trotsky was soon silenced by his ‘October deserters’ attack which was retaliated with his Menshevik past
- NEP was next, Trotsky firmly against it, he mentioned it was becoming permanent, and was a serious divide between the left and right. Stalin simply said that Trotsky was going against Lenin’s will, a disruptive force.
- Disputes over modernisation, Trotsky believed the peasants should be forced into working
Stalin and Trotsky had two different policies too.
PERMANENT REVOLUTION
Trotsky’s belief was in Permanent revolution.
- Revolution, was continuous event from country to country
- Russia was the first step
- International working class mattered the most
Trotsky believed that the USSR could not survive as the only socialist country in a hostile world, and that without an international revolution the Soviet Union would go under. He did not wish to sacrifice the Soviet Union at any point for the world revolution.
SOCIALISM IN ONE COUNTRY
Stalin countered Trotsky; his plan was to consolidate Lenin’s revolution and turning the USSR into a modern state with good defence.
- overcome the agricultural and industrial problems
- build a modern state
- Survival of Soviet Union priority, suspending international revolution
Stalin portrayed Trotsky as an enemy to the Soviet Union. He was therefore an isolated outsider, whose international revolution ‘risked the soviet union’. Trotsky was further weakened by the fear that capitalist nations would invade, making him even more obscure.
SUMMARY
Stalin’s advantages
- Key governmental positions
- Patronage helped by Enrolment, he is popular.
- Takes the main speech at funeral
Trotsky disadvantages
- Lack of Judgement
- Too flamboyant, looks strange next to Stalin to newly Enrolled
- Lack support within party, except Red Army.
- Blatant embarrassment and shame over his religion
Testament is suppressed, benefiting all members except Trotsky (could of used against Stalin).
Triumvirate is formed to further isolate Trotsky. Trotsky fights back on three points, but is further undermined by Stalin and his powerbase, boils down to PERMANENT VS SOCIALISM IN ONE COUNTRY as major policy.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Lenin’s Death: The Roots of Stalin’s Power
Stalin was highly regarded by Lenin and played various roles, firstly as a violent organiser for campaigns that obtained funding for the Bolsheviks. Lenin was particularly impressed by his organisation skills, insensitivity and obedience, ‘That wonderful Georgian’. With Lenin as an admirer, he rose to becoming a member of the Central Committee in 1912.
During 1914-1916 he was in exile and returned in the march of 1917. He was loyal to Lenin after he returned to Petrograd and opposed the ‘October deserters’ who believed the party was still not strong enough (Kamenev and Zinoviev). During the Civil war, his Georgian background proved invaluable, his knowledge of the minorities promoted him to Commissar for Nationalities. Stalin then became a ruthless leader of the Caucasus region during the civil war, leading to a number of disputes with Trotsky, the start of their clashes.
Stalin may have been loyal, but he did anger Lenin on two occasions. The negotiations with Georgia saw Stalin as rude and off-hand, whilst Lenin was desperate for their support and had to intervene personally to stop them from leaving. Stalin also argued with Lenin’s wife, calling her a whore. This was when Lenin’s Testament was made, ‘concentrated enormous power in his hands, I am not sure he always know how to use caution with this power’ and then ‘think of ways of removing comrade Stalin from his position’ as Secretary of the Communist party. Luckily for Stalin, the Testament was never published due Lenin’s death.
As mentioned before, Stalin had a strong powerbase. He had great ability, in persistence and his willingness to take on the difficult administrative work of the time. The government of Russia had the Council of the People’s Commissars and the Secretariat, both staffed by the Bolshevik Party, and as the government grew in scope, these commissar positions gave the holder with levels of power, and so Stalin’s various positions proved vital.
- Peoples Commissar for Nationalities, in charge of the Caucasus region, plus many officials of all of the different regions
- Liaison officer between Politburo and Orgburo, a unique position to monitor both policy and decision making.
- General Secretary of the Communist Party, in which he recorded all policy and build up a personal file of each member of the party.
Stalin was the Link between the Communist party and the soviets, and what these posts gave him was the power of Patronage. He could put his key supporters, in key positions, and they would owe their place to him, and so could count on their vote in various committees’, and no other member came close after Lenin’s death, as he could always outvote and outmanoeuvre them.
Stalin gained massively from Lenin’s enrolment, as 1923-25, the party increased its numbers of ‘true proletarians’ which the CPSU almost doubled to 600,000 members. These members were poorly educated but recognised the privileges that come with membership and depended on being loyal to those who first invited them. This fell largely to Stalin as the Secretary, and this also added to his growing power of patronage. Stalin had a huge body of reliable voters. It is also true that Lenin’s Ban on Factionalism played a good part with Stalin’s patronage, as soon as he took the initiative within the party to become leader, it would be very difficult for anyone to mount a challenge against him.
The final factor was that Stalin became heir to the Lenin Legacy, in which Stalin followed a similar tradition of authority and leadership that Lenin had established. Lenin was worshipped like a god within the party. Following his lead would mean a formidable claim to power, as he would appear to be carrying on Lenin’s work.
SUMMARY
- Originally involved in money making plots for the Bolsheviks.
- Stalin admired by Lenin ‘that wonderful Georgian’
- Known for his organising ability.
He held key positions within the party, as well as being a clear ‘Leninist’
- Commissar for Nationalities
- Liaison between Politburo and Orgburo
- General Secretary
Lenin began to disfavour Stalin however fortunately his testament was not published due to death and he would have lost his position.
Stalin did gain some key benefits
- Power of patronage meant a considerable voting base already for him, he could outvote and outmanoeuvre many within the party
- Enrolment accented his patronage, even more loyal under him as their ‘Secretary’ who had enrolled them in the first place
- Attack upon factionalism, would be difficult for anyone to mount a challenge against Stalin and his large voting base
- Stalin claimed to be Lenin’s heir
During 1914-1916 he was in exile and returned in the march of 1917. He was loyal to Lenin after he returned to Petrograd and opposed the ‘October deserters’ who believed the party was still not strong enough (Kamenev and Zinoviev). During the Civil war, his Georgian background proved invaluable, his knowledge of the minorities promoted him to Commissar for Nationalities. Stalin then became a ruthless leader of the Caucasus region during the civil war, leading to a number of disputes with Trotsky, the start of their clashes.
Stalin may have been loyal, but he did anger Lenin on two occasions. The negotiations with Georgia saw Stalin as rude and off-hand, whilst Lenin was desperate for their support and had to intervene personally to stop them from leaving. Stalin also argued with Lenin’s wife, calling her a whore. This was when Lenin’s Testament was made, ‘concentrated enormous power in his hands, I am not sure he always know how to use caution with this power’ and then ‘think of ways of removing comrade Stalin from his position’ as Secretary of the Communist party. Luckily for Stalin, the Testament was never published due Lenin’s death.
As mentioned before, Stalin had a strong powerbase. He had great ability, in persistence and his willingness to take on the difficult administrative work of the time. The government of Russia had the Council of the People’s Commissars and the Secretariat, both staffed by the Bolshevik Party, and as the government grew in scope, these commissar positions gave the holder with levels of power, and so Stalin’s various positions proved vital.
- Peoples Commissar for Nationalities, in charge of the Caucasus region, plus many officials of all of the different regions
- Liaison officer between Politburo and Orgburo, a unique position to monitor both policy and decision making.
- General Secretary of the Communist Party, in which he recorded all policy and build up a personal file of each member of the party.
Stalin was the Link between the Communist party and the soviets, and what these posts gave him was the power of Patronage. He could put his key supporters, in key positions, and they would owe their place to him, and so could count on their vote in various committees’, and no other member came close after Lenin’s death, as he could always outvote and outmanoeuvre them.
Stalin gained massively from Lenin’s enrolment, as 1923-25, the party increased its numbers of ‘true proletarians’ which the CPSU almost doubled to 600,000 members. These members were poorly educated but recognised the privileges that come with membership and depended on being loyal to those who first invited them. This fell largely to Stalin as the Secretary, and this also added to his growing power of patronage. Stalin had a huge body of reliable voters. It is also true that Lenin’s Ban on Factionalism played a good part with Stalin’s patronage, as soon as he took the initiative within the party to become leader, it would be very difficult for anyone to mount a challenge against him.
The final factor was that Stalin became heir to the Lenin Legacy, in which Stalin followed a similar tradition of authority and leadership that Lenin had established. Lenin was worshipped like a god within the party. Following his lead would mean a formidable claim to power, as he would appear to be carrying on Lenin’s work.
SUMMARY
- Originally involved in money making plots for the Bolsheviks.
- Stalin admired by Lenin ‘that wonderful Georgian’
- Known for his organising ability.
He held key positions within the party, as well as being a clear ‘Leninist’
- Commissar for Nationalities
- Liaison between Politburo and Orgburo
- General Secretary
Lenin began to disfavour Stalin however fortunately his testament was not published due to death and he would have lost his position.
Stalin did gain some key benefits
- Power of patronage meant a considerable voting base already for him, he could outvote and outmanoeuvre many within the party
- Enrolment accented his patronage, even more loyal under him as their ‘Secretary’ who had enrolled them in the first place
- Attack upon factionalism, would be difficult for anyone to mount a challenge against Stalin and his large voting base
- Stalin claimed to be Lenin’s heir
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
The New Economic Policy
The NEP was intended to meet Russia’s need for food, as war communism had failed to deliver. State terror deterred the peasants, it was clear that they needed to be persuaded into producing food ‘Lenin – Must be a certain amount of freedom for the small private proprietor’. Although disagreement soon followed the NEP, the grim famine and conditions were bad enough to give Lenin full support for his new policy.
Its essential features were as followed:
- Centralisation relaxed (occupation of factories)
- Requisitioning replaced with Tax in Kind (only took a fixed amount of grain rather than all)
- Peasants keep surpluses and could sell for money
- Restoration of small markets.
Lenin knew this was going back on state control of the economy, restoring mixed economy with some forms of capitalism. This made many Bolsheviks uneasy, Lenin stressed that it was temporary and a necessity to stop a similar mutiny to that of Kronstadt, famine and to restore the economy, and he also mentioned how they still had control of banking, industry and foreign trade. NEP proved the Bolsheviks could not form a successful economy purely on their ideological ideas.
Lenin put his political theories aside in order to restore Russia’s economy. It troubled many members, such as Trotsky who had regarded war communism as fantastic and exactly the correct strategy to follow. It disturbed him that they were being ‘appeased’ and not ‘squeezed’ as the proletariat revolution suggested. A main complaint of the Bolshevik objectors was the ‘Nepmen’ who gained from the trade under the NEP and made themselves rich. Lenin took steps to remove disunity and a split in the party over the issue of the new ‘capitalism’, he introduced ‘On Party Unity’ which announced that any groups or ‘factions’ that formed within the party against NEP must part or face expulsion. A ban on factionalism greatly stifled any objectors. He also outlawed all other political parties in soviet Russia, suppressing all opposition, making it very difficult for anyone to voice negativity over the New Economic Policy, as it would be ‘Challenging the party itself’. Bukharin, the soviet economist, put aside any opposition to say that the NEP would stimulate the economy as the peasants would use any extra money to buy manufactured goods.
The NEP itself was a success and it was this reason why the party accepted it. The policies figures show that the economy made a recovery, with grain harvests increasing by 20M tons, Factory output doubling to just under 5000M roubles, average wage doubling to 20.8 roubles per month and most notably, a 3x increase in the kWh of electricity production (1562). Lenin was also right in saying they still controlled the ‘heights of the economy’.
However the NEP was not a complete a success, as its opponents criticised it that it industry failed to expand as quick as agriculture, as the Nepmen may have done well but around the factories and the urban areas, the workers were mainly unemployed. This was known as the SCISSORS CRISIS, as industrial prices were becoming high and agricultural lower. It was caused partly by the ending of famine, as greater harvests led to a fall in the price of food. Industrial good however did not fall in price, as factories took much long to recover from the Civil War (and war communism). The scarcity of products drove the prices up. This resulted that peasants were selling at too low of a price to afford the high manufactured goods. Over time, the Bolsheviks argued continually about Gosplan’s (vesenkha) failure to produce afirm economic plan. However as time went on, industry recovered as it was less interfered and the scissors gap decreased, although this was no guarantee that it was permanent.
SUMMARY
Reasons for NEP
- Disruption of Economy (Civil War and War Communism)
- Famine
- Kronstadt Rising
Main features included
- Markets being restored
- Peasants allowed to sell surplus
- Relaxing of centralisation
- Tax in Kind
Justifications
- Food Shortage
- Temporary and 'Still controlled heights of economy'
- Peasants had to be persuaded
Consequences
- Recovering economy and end of famine
- Ban on Factionalism
- Some Divisions
- Scissors crisis (which decreased)
Its essential features were as followed:
- Centralisation relaxed (occupation of factories)
- Requisitioning replaced with Tax in Kind (only took a fixed amount of grain rather than all)
- Peasants keep surpluses and could sell for money
- Restoration of small markets.
Lenin knew this was going back on state control of the economy, restoring mixed economy with some forms of capitalism. This made many Bolsheviks uneasy, Lenin stressed that it was temporary and a necessity to stop a similar mutiny to that of Kronstadt, famine and to restore the economy, and he also mentioned how they still had control of banking, industry and foreign trade. NEP proved the Bolsheviks could not form a successful economy purely on their ideological ideas.
Lenin put his political theories aside in order to restore Russia’s economy. It troubled many members, such as Trotsky who had regarded war communism as fantastic and exactly the correct strategy to follow. It disturbed him that they were being ‘appeased’ and not ‘squeezed’ as the proletariat revolution suggested. A main complaint of the Bolshevik objectors was the ‘Nepmen’ who gained from the trade under the NEP and made themselves rich. Lenin took steps to remove disunity and a split in the party over the issue of the new ‘capitalism’, he introduced ‘On Party Unity’ which announced that any groups or ‘factions’ that formed within the party against NEP must part or face expulsion. A ban on factionalism greatly stifled any objectors. He also outlawed all other political parties in soviet Russia, suppressing all opposition, making it very difficult for anyone to voice negativity over the New Economic Policy, as it would be ‘Challenging the party itself’. Bukharin, the soviet economist, put aside any opposition to say that the NEP would stimulate the economy as the peasants would use any extra money to buy manufactured goods.
The NEP itself was a success and it was this reason why the party accepted it. The policies figures show that the economy made a recovery, with grain harvests increasing by 20M tons, Factory output doubling to just under 5000M roubles, average wage doubling to 20.8 roubles per month and most notably, a 3x increase in the kWh of electricity production (1562). Lenin was also right in saying they still controlled the ‘heights of the economy’.
However the NEP was not a complete a success, as its opponents criticised it that it industry failed to expand as quick as agriculture, as the Nepmen may have done well but around the factories and the urban areas, the workers were mainly unemployed. This was known as the SCISSORS CRISIS, as industrial prices were becoming high and agricultural lower. It was caused partly by the ending of famine, as greater harvests led to a fall in the price of food. Industrial good however did not fall in price, as factories took much long to recover from the Civil War (and war communism). The scarcity of products drove the prices up. This resulted that peasants were selling at too low of a price to afford the high manufactured goods. Over time, the Bolsheviks argued continually about Gosplan’s (vesenkha) failure to produce afirm economic plan. However as time went on, industry recovered as it was less interfered and the scissors gap decreased, although this was no guarantee that it was permanent.
SUMMARY
Reasons for NEP
- Disruption of Economy (Civil War and War Communism)
- Famine
- Kronstadt Rising
Main features included
- Markets being restored
- Peasants allowed to sell surplus
- Relaxing of centralisation
- Tax in Kind
Justifications
- Food Shortage
- Temporary and 'Still controlled heights of economy'
- Peasants had to be persuaded
Consequences
- Recovering economy and end of famine
- Ban on Factionalism
- Some Divisions
- Scissors crisis (which decreased)
Monday, 25 May 2009
War Communism and its consequences
Summer of 1918, Lenin introduced a series of harsh restrictive economic measures, 'War Communism', caused by the difficulties of Civil war and moved away from state capitalism (state owns the productive forces, distributes the wages and sells the surplus). Lenin judged that the whites could only be met by authority increasing in the Red areas. Every social, political and economic aspect was to be shaped around winning the Civil War.
First step was centralisation, to concentrate the political and economic power at the centre, using the cheka and red army to enforce it. They infiltrated the factories with political commissars and this prepared the way for a Decree of Nationalisation in which nearly all industrial enterprises came under Russian control. Nationalisation did nothing to increase production, imposed strict control at a time of strain, initially under the war but really the civil war. Most factories were deprived of resources and manpower, due to conscription into the Army and the flight of the populations in search of food. Populations in the major cities fell by half during 1918-21. The problems were deepened by inflation, as the printing of money destroyed the value of money. It did not do any good for the economy, just strengthened bolshevik grip.
It also effected agriculture, the major purpose of war communism was to force the peasants to provide more food. Peasants however were difficult to convince, as they were very conservative and resistant to central government. The Government blamed the Kulaks (or rich peasants) to hoard their stocks to keep prices high, the truth was the peasants saw no point producing food until the government paid a fair prices.
The government eventually condemned the peasants as counter-revolutionaries, and Cheka Requistioning squads were sent to take grain by force ' harvest grain on the land of kulaks'. Between these years, Requistioning squads terrorised the countryside with kulaks targeted and hanged in public. However, the opposite happened in the production of food and the peasants produced the bare minimum.
Famine was the result of requistioning, drought and disruption of the civil war, The grain harvests produced less than half the amounts than half of the amounts from 1913, 1 in 5 were starving. A number of bolsheviks did admit there was a famine, and accepted foreign assistance, such as the ARA, American Relief Association. 5 Million died due to starvation over the civil war period.
Lenin however, is known as allowing the famine as a chance to destroy the orthodox church and would shoot priests 'the more the better'. 1921, the grim conditions had completely undermined the reasoning for War Communism, as production had fallen massively. Some Bolsheviks however thought it was the perfect policy for the party, true socialism as it had centralised industry, ended private owenership and squeezed the peasants.
War communism and the Red terror continued, with the Cheka spying on the factory workers and the enforced requistioning of the grain. Its severity, seriously increased Bolshevik unpopularity. Lenin stuck with it for as long as possible, until the Kronstadt rising proved to be the most serious challenge to bolshevik control to date.
KRONSTADT MUTINY
As long as unrest was confined to peasants and enemies of the bolsheviks, it was managable. What was worrying was the opposition to war communism within the party. Two bolsheviks Alaxander Shylyapnikov and Alexandra Kollantai led a 'Workers Opposition Movement' and produced a pamphlet ' buld up industry without any regard to our opinions'. Workers in petrograd upon reading the pamphlet went on strike in 1921 proclaiming ' a complete change is neccessary'
By feb 1921, thousands of petrograd workers crossed the the naval base at Kronstadt, linking with sailors and workers to remonstrate for greater freedom 'workers should be better not worse' Lenin sent commissars to Kronstadt where they were rounded bitterly ' You are comfortable, warm. We're in a terrible mire'.
The Kronstadt Manifesto is what followed as sailors elected a chairman for a fifteen-man committee to represent their grievances to the government such as
- Freedom of Speech and Press
- Right for trade unions to exist
- Ending of War communism
- New elections in the soviets
- End of centralisation
The demands did not frighten the bolsheviks, it was the people who happened to be their greatest supporters of previous, the Sailors and Workers of Kronstadt, previous 'Heroes of the October Revolution'. The genuine socialists were appalled by the betrayal of the workers cause. The angered strikers increasing in numbers. Trotsky ordered the Red Army to crush them, with an ultimatum issued to the strikers. It was denied and so the Red Army and Cheka detachments were ordered to attack. The Sailors fought savagely and bravely, even when half dead they attempted to shoot to kill, 'two soldiers at machine gun, entire company fought for over an hour'. Kronstadt was proof that the Bolsheviks were a minority elite who had imposed themselves above all for Russia. After the rising, ringleaders were shot. Lenin was a realist, and took Kronstadt to heart, he decided to soften the severity of War Communism 'Lit up reality like a lightning flash', a prelude to the New Economic Policy.
SUMMARY
WAR COMMUNISM
- Industry and Agriculture under central control (government controlled agriculture and industry from Moscow geographically and politically), Commissars and buying grain
- Peasants resist to the low prices
- Kulaks targeted, Requistioning squads and an Attack upon the church
- War communism did more damage than good, undermining its real cause with a famine in 1921 with 5 million dead.
- War communism if anything was strengthening the Red Terror.
KRONSTADT
Caused due to the severity of the Red Terror and War communism.
- Famine
- Commissars in Industry
- Requistioning
- Cheka torture.
The 'Workers Opposition group formed WITHIN the Bolsheviks', causing a petrograd strike which marched to Kronstadt. The Manifesto demanded :
- End of Bolshevik Centralisation
- Freedom of Speech
- Bolshevik priviledges ended
- Secret Ballot elections
- Removal of Commissars
Government crushes rising, but meet with fierce and skillful response before being defeated. This was a fear for Lenin, and considers a NEW ECONOMIC POLICY.
First step was centralisation, to concentrate the political and economic power at the centre, using the cheka and red army to enforce it. They infiltrated the factories with political commissars and this prepared the way for a Decree of Nationalisation in which nearly all industrial enterprises came under Russian control. Nationalisation did nothing to increase production, imposed strict control at a time of strain, initially under the war but really the civil war. Most factories were deprived of resources and manpower, due to conscription into the Army and the flight of the populations in search of food. Populations in the major cities fell by half during 1918-21. The problems were deepened by inflation, as the printing of money destroyed the value of money. It did not do any good for the economy, just strengthened bolshevik grip.
It also effected agriculture, the major purpose of war communism was to force the peasants to provide more food. Peasants however were difficult to convince, as they were very conservative and resistant to central government. The Government blamed the Kulaks (or rich peasants) to hoard their stocks to keep prices high, the truth was the peasants saw no point producing food until the government paid a fair prices.
The government eventually condemned the peasants as counter-revolutionaries, and Cheka Requistioning squads were sent to take grain by force ' harvest grain on the land of kulaks'. Between these years, Requistioning squads terrorised the countryside with kulaks targeted and hanged in public. However, the opposite happened in the production of food and the peasants produced the bare minimum.
Famine was the result of requistioning, drought and disruption of the civil war, The grain harvests produced less than half the amounts than half of the amounts from 1913, 1 in 5 were starving. A number of bolsheviks did admit there was a famine, and accepted foreign assistance, such as the ARA, American Relief Association. 5 Million died due to starvation over the civil war period.
Lenin however, is known as allowing the famine as a chance to destroy the orthodox church and would shoot priests 'the more the better'. 1921, the grim conditions had completely undermined the reasoning for War Communism, as production had fallen massively. Some Bolsheviks however thought it was the perfect policy for the party, true socialism as it had centralised industry, ended private owenership and squeezed the peasants.
War communism and the Red terror continued, with the Cheka spying on the factory workers and the enforced requistioning of the grain. Its severity, seriously increased Bolshevik unpopularity. Lenin stuck with it for as long as possible, until the Kronstadt rising proved to be the most serious challenge to bolshevik control to date.
KRONSTADT MUTINY
As long as unrest was confined to peasants and enemies of the bolsheviks, it was managable. What was worrying was the opposition to war communism within the party. Two bolsheviks Alaxander Shylyapnikov and Alexandra Kollantai led a 'Workers Opposition Movement' and produced a pamphlet ' buld up industry without any regard to our opinions'. Workers in petrograd upon reading the pamphlet went on strike in 1921 proclaiming ' a complete change is neccessary'
By feb 1921, thousands of petrograd workers crossed the the naval base at Kronstadt, linking with sailors and workers to remonstrate for greater freedom 'workers should be better not worse' Lenin sent commissars to Kronstadt where they were rounded bitterly ' You are comfortable, warm. We're in a terrible mire'.
The Kronstadt Manifesto is what followed as sailors elected a chairman for a fifteen-man committee to represent their grievances to the government such as
- Freedom of Speech and Press
- Right for trade unions to exist
- Ending of War communism
- New elections in the soviets
- End of centralisation
The demands did not frighten the bolsheviks, it was the people who happened to be their greatest supporters of previous, the Sailors and Workers of Kronstadt, previous 'Heroes of the October Revolution'. The genuine socialists were appalled by the betrayal of the workers cause. The angered strikers increasing in numbers. Trotsky ordered the Red Army to crush them, with an ultimatum issued to the strikers. It was denied and so the Red Army and Cheka detachments were ordered to attack. The Sailors fought savagely and bravely, even when half dead they attempted to shoot to kill, 'two soldiers at machine gun, entire company fought for over an hour'. Kronstadt was proof that the Bolsheviks were a minority elite who had imposed themselves above all for Russia. After the rising, ringleaders were shot. Lenin was a realist, and took Kronstadt to heart, he decided to soften the severity of War Communism 'Lit up reality like a lightning flash', a prelude to the New Economic Policy.
SUMMARY
WAR COMMUNISM
- Industry and Agriculture under central control (government controlled agriculture and industry from Moscow geographically and politically), Commissars and buying grain
- Peasants resist to the low prices
- Kulaks targeted, Requistioning squads and an Attack upon the church
- War communism did more damage than good, undermining its real cause with a famine in 1921 with 5 million dead.
- War communism if anything was strengthening the Red Terror.
KRONSTADT
Caused due to the severity of the Red Terror and War communism.
- Famine
- Commissars in Industry
- Requistioning
- Cheka torture.
The 'Workers Opposition group formed WITHIN the Bolsheviks', causing a petrograd strike which marched to Kronstadt. The Manifesto demanded :
- End of Bolshevik Centralisation
- Freedom of Speech
- Bolshevik priviledges ended
- Secret Ballot elections
- Removal of Commissars
Government crushes rising, but meet with fierce and skillful response before being defeated. This was a fear for Lenin, and considers a NEW ECONOMIC POLICY.
Death of the Romanov's
July 1918 saw a group of SR's assassinate the german ambassador over the Brest-Litovsk treaty, then an attempt on Lenin's life followed. In this mood, Lenin ordered that the Local Cheka detachment executed the Ex-tsar and his family at Yekateringburg in the Urals, hailed down by revolver shots by six men.
After abdication, Nicholas was hoping for Asylum in Britain but the government nor George the V was willing to risk the diplomatic problems or if the Bolsheviks were to follow to britain. He was also rejected by his cousin, the German Kaiser Wilhelm, the reason being it would 'Comprimise his neutrality' from the armistice signing.
It was the climax from eight months of moving the Romanovs around so that they're position was a secret from monarchists would would attempt to rescue them. Lenin personally wanted this to happen as he hated the monarchy, 'really enjoyed letting himself loose against the bourgeois'.
After abdication, Nicholas was hoping for Asylum in Britain but the government nor George the V was willing to risk the diplomatic problems or if the Bolsheviks were to follow to britain. He was also rejected by his cousin, the German Kaiser Wilhelm, the reason being it would 'Comprimise his neutrality' from the armistice signing.
It was the climax from eight months of moving the Romanovs around so that they're position was a secret from monarchists would would attempt to rescue them. Lenin personally wanted this to happen as he hated the monarchy, 'really enjoyed letting himself loose against the bourgeois'.
The Red Terror
The repression that happened and proceeded the Civil war was so severe it was known as the Red Terror. It is argued that the severe repression was the only response to the problems that the Bolsheviks faced and to win the civil war. The opposite view is that the Bolsheviks were forming a strong grip upon the Russian people. Lenin himself, was totalitarian in manner, as he did not believe in democracy, and he used the tools of the Red Army and the Cheka to inforce his rule.
The Cheka, had been created in 1917 by Dzerzhinsky, the ideal choice as he never allowed his feelings of compassion to stop the destruction of the bolshevik enemies. Remorseless attitude displayed by his instructions issued ' Our revolution is in danger, we need to battle to the death'. It operated as the Law, granted unlimited powers of arrest, detention and torture. It was the main instrument used by lenin to terroriset he russian people into conformity. The Cheka under Dzerzhinsky's instructions developed into a class war. It went from being anyone against the bolsheviks to be arrested, to whole social classes, 'first duty is to ask their origins'. Some bolsheviks were uneasy about this, but the famine and social disorder of the Civil War removed all criticisms, and that the revolution could only be saved by removing the enemies of the Bolsheviks and the working class.
Trotsky as Commissar for war, complimented the Cheka's work, by ending the independence of Trade Unions and workers brought under military control, forbidden to ask questions and negotiate pay.
The Red Army was Trotsky's primary achievement, the primary factor of survival. They won the Civil war and also the means of which the bolsheviks imposed their authority at large over russia. Lenin put full trust in Trotsky to direct the Red Army. Trotsky took workers and tired Red Guards and transformed them into a skillful army of 3 million, and attached commissars to the the army to keep structure. The Death sentence was imposed for deserters, and the Civil war instructed strict discipline.
Trotsky also responded to the civil wars increasing need for men by conscription in the areas of bolshevik control. Peasants were conscripted into the army for back-breaking labour. They proved to be unreliable in the time of crisis and desertions were common. Workers were the only dependable unit, often becoming the elite forces and were regarded as Heroes. Trotsky did have some opposition in the form of Stalin in tactics, but there is no denial that Trotsky was the main factor behind the survival.
Summary
Red Terror either a response to extreme conditions, or an expression of Lenin.
Cheka was the Law with unlimited powers. Started the move against middle/upper class bourgeios of old and could prosecute for that reason alone.
Trotsky closes Trade unions and workers under military pressure.
War Commissar, Red army great achievement, won the war and imposed rule over Russia with strict discipline within the army. Conscription introduced.
The Cheka, had been created in 1917 by Dzerzhinsky, the ideal choice as he never allowed his feelings of compassion to stop the destruction of the bolshevik enemies. Remorseless attitude displayed by his instructions issued ' Our revolution is in danger, we need to battle to the death'. It operated as the Law, granted unlimited powers of arrest, detention and torture. It was the main instrument used by lenin to terroriset he russian people into conformity. The Cheka under Dzerzhinsky's instructions developed into a class war. It went from being anyone against the bolsheviks to be arrested, to whole social classes, 'first duty is to ask their origins'. Some bolsheviks were uneasy about this, but the famine and social disorder of the Civil War removed all criticisms, and that the revolution could only be saved by removing the enemies of the Bolsheviks and the working class.
Trotsky as Commissar for war, complimented the Cheka's work, by ending the independence of Trade Unions and workers brought under military control, forbidden to ask questions and negotiate pay.
The Red Army was Trotsky's primary achievement, the primary factor of survival. They won the Civil war and also the means of which the bolsheviks imposed their authority at large over russia. Lenin put full trust in Trotsky to direct the Red Army. Trotsky took workers and tired Red Guards and transformed them into a skillful army of 3 million, and attached commissars to the the army to keep structure. The Death sentence was imposed for deserters, and the Civil war instructed strict discipline.
Trotsky also responded to the civil wars increasing need for men by conscription in the areas of bolshevik control. Peasants were conscripted into the army for back-breaking labour. They proved to be unreliable in the time of crisis and desertions were common. Workers were the only dependable unit, often becoming the elite forces and were regarded as Heroes. Trotsky did have some opposition in the form of Stalin in tactics, but there is no denial that Trotsky was the main factor behind the survival.
Summary
Red Terror either a response to extreme conditions, or an expression of Lenin.
Cheka was the Law with unlimited powers. Started the move against middle/upper class bourgeios of old and could prosecute for that reason alone.
Trotsky closes Trade unions and workers under military pressure.
War Commissar, Red army great achievement, won the war and imposed rule over Russia with strict discipline within the army. Conscription introduced.
Failure of Foreign Interventions
The October revolution saw the collapse of the Provisional Government and within weeks and armistice had been agreed between germany and the Bolshevik Government. The French and British were cautious over the matter. Lloyd George was willing to support any group within russia that was Anti-German.
When the treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed, all hope of convincing the Bolshevik government was ended, and so any help that Britain gave to Anti-german russians now went to Anti-Bolsheviks, (soon to be the white in Russia). The bolsheviks were convinced that the Allies were trying to destroy them, and the Allies saw the bolsheviks as betraying the Allied cause, and the supplies that it provided needed to be stopped from falling into german hands. The British, French and American troops then occupied ports of the Arctic side of Russia, starting two years of occupation over the entirety of Russia.
When the war ended, their occupation lead to a direct offensive against the Bolsheviks. Winston Churchil and Marshall Foch were the most keen, afraid of the newly created Cominterm (to spread international revolution) and the spread of revolution around Europe.
- Sparticist revolt in Berlin
- Communist republic in Bavaria for a year
- Hungarian Marxist government for 5 months.
The interventions were also because the financial position, as Russia and the Bolsheviks wrote off a large number of debts, and nationalised foreign investments, angering the French who had a large number of investments within Tsarist Russia. This also lead to
- British land forces entertering the southern part of russia.
- British warships and French at Baltic waters
- French land base, odessa
- Japanese at Vladivostok (a chance to take land)
- French British American and Italian joined them.
However, as proven by the white failure, the attackers were not united by one single aim, Japan wanted land, and the other nationalist forces such as Lithuania, Poland and Finland all fought for independence seperately, partly the reason behind failure. There was no real proper dedicated attempt to remove the bolsheviks, the truth being that after four years of fighting germany, no great power could stomach true intervention and the loss of more good men. Not only that but trade unionists that would provide supplies sympathised with the 'Workers state'. The Foreign white armies and russian white armies did not act together, and it was easier to remove their threat for the Bolsheviks. They eventually withdrawn, and used as a propoganda success for the Bolsheviks, and they regained esteem from this.
SUMMARY
Why intervene
- Russia withdraw from war
- Fear of 'international revolution'
- Bolsheviks writing off Debt
France, Britain, USA, Japan, Finland Lithuania etc.
Interventions failed due to Lack of coordination,
Not bound by a single aim
No stomach for fighting after WW1
No real genuine attempt to bring Bolsheviks down
When the treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed, all hope of convincing the Bolshevik government was ended, and so any help that Britain gave to Anti-german russians now went to Anti-Bolsheviks, (soon to be the white in Russia). The bolsheviks were convinced that the Allies were trying to destroy them, and the Allies saw the bolsheviks as betraying the Allied cause, and the supplies that it provided needed to be stopped from falling into german hands. The British, French and American troops then occupied ports of the Arctic side of Russia, starting two years of occupation over the entirety of Russia.
When the war ended, their occupation lead to a direct offensive against the Bolsheviks. Winston Churchil and Marshall Foch were the most keen, afraid of the newly created Cominterm (to spread international revolution) and the spread of revolution around Europe.
- Sparticist revolt in Berlin
- Communist republic in Bavaria for a year
- Hungarian Marxist government for 5 months.
The interventions were also because the financial position, as Russia and the Bolsheviks wrote off a large number of debts, and nationalised foreign investments, angering the French who had a large number of investments within Tsarist Russia. This also lead to
- British land forces entertering the southern part of russia.
- British warships and French at Baltic waters
- French land base, odessa
- Japanese at Vladivostok (a chance to take land)
- French British American and Italian joined them.
However, as proven by the white failure, the attackers were not united by one single aim, Japan wanted land, and the other nationalist forces such as Lithuania, Poland and Finland all fought for independence seperately, partly the reason behind failure. There was no real proper dedicated attempt to remove the bolsheviks, the truth being that after four years of fighting germany, no great power could stomach true intervention and the loss of more good men. Not only that but trade unionists that would provide supplies sympathised with the 'Workers state'. The Foreign white armies and russian white armies did not act together, and it was easier to remove their threat for the Bolsheviks. They eventually withdrawn, and used as a propoganda success for the Bolsheviks, and they regained esteem from this.
SUMMARY
Why intervene
- Russia withdraw from war
- Fear of 'international revolution'
- Bolsheviks writing off Debt
France, Britain, USA, Japan, Finland Lithuania etc.
Interventions failed due to Lack of coordination,
Not bound by a single aim
No stomach for fighting after WW1
No real genuine attempt to bring Bolsheviks down
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