How Did The Bolsheviks Gain Power, And How Did They Consolidate Their Rule?
Overview
In the spring of 1917 the Bolsheviks were a small, hunted party whose leader was in exile abroad. By the autumn they had seized control of Russia, and within four years they had crushed every armed enemy and were the masters of a one-party state. How did a fringe movement pull off one of the most consequential takeovers in modern history, and then keep hold of power through a brutal civil war?
This lesson follows the story from the failures of the Provisional Government and the magnetic slogan Peace, Bread, Land, through the November 1917 seizure of power and the harsh Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, into the Civil War, War Communism and the Red Terror, and finally to the Kronstadt rising and the retreat into the New Economic Policy. Throughout, you will practise the balanced judgement that Cambridge examiners look for: weighing Bolshevik strengths against the weakness of their opponents.
Objectives
- How effectively did the Provisional Government rule Russia in 1917?
- Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?
- Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?
- How far was the New Economic Policy a success?
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on How Did The Bolsheviks Gain Power, And How Did They Consolidate Their Rule?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- What were the three words of the main Bolshevik slogan in 1917? A. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity B. Peace, Bread, Land C. Workers of the World D. All Power to the Tsar Answer: B
- Who organised the November 1917 seizure of power in Petrograd? A. Stalin B. Kerensky C. Trotsky D. Rasputin Answer: C
- By the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, roughly what share of its population did Russia lose? A. About one tenth B. About one third C. About one half D. About three quarters Answer: B
- What was the name of the Bolshevik secret police during the Civil War? A. The KGB B. The Okhrana C. The Cheka D. The NKVD Answer: C
- What event in 1921 helped persuade Lenin to introduce the New Economic Policy? A. The murder of Rasputin B. The Kronstadt rising C. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk D. Bloody Sunday Answer: B
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