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Russia

How did the Bolsheviks Keep Control?

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Learning objectives

What we will learn in this presentation:


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What Lenin did about 1917 the election results.

What Lenin did about the Kronstadt rebellion.

What Lenin did about dissent within the Bolshevik Party.

What Lenin did about popular resistance to his policies and the threat of famine.


Once the Bolsheviks had seized power in October 1917 they had to make sure they could hold onto it and not be overthrown.

You are going to take the place of Lenin and see if you would have made the same decisions as he did. You’ll then find out whether you’d have succeeded in

staying in power.

Role play


In November 1917, people voted for parties in the new Constituent Assembly. Here are the results:

Party Votes Seats

Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) 17,490,000 370

Bolsheviks 9,844,000 175

National Minority Groups 8,257,000 99

Left SRs (pro-Bolshevik) 2,861,000 40

Kadets (Constitutional Democrats)

1,986,000 17

Mensheviks 1,248,000 16

41,686,000 717

What should Lenin do?

Elections


Here are three options that Lenin could have taken in order to make sure he and the Bolsheviks stayed in control. Make a note of which one YOU would have chosen.

Work with the SR party in order to get change in Russia. Most of what the SRs wanted was similar to what the Bolsheviks wanted.

Work with the other parties to try and bring down the SRs and force another election where they could influence the voters more.

Send in the Bolshevik Red Guards to close down the Constituent Assembly and simply rule without it.

Don’t forget to make a note of your choice.

© David King Collection

Decision One


In March 1921 sailors at the Kronstadt naval base asked Lenin to approve the following demands:

1. Secret ballot for a new Soviet2. Freedom of speech3. Free trade unions to be allowed4. Ending of special food rations for some Communist

Party members5. Freedom of assembly6. Freedom of the press.

The sailors were all Bolshevik party supporters and had been the strongest supporters during the October Revolution. Lenin had promised them all of these things before he came to power.


The Kronstadt rebellion





Agree to some but not all of their demands in order to show that he was a leader who would listen to reasonable requests.

Agree to all of their demands as they were what he had originally said he had wanted for the Russian people in any case.

Send in the Red Guard to crush this possible revolt and challenge to Lenin’s power and control.

Decision Two


At the 10th Bolshevik Party Congress in March 1921 Lenin had to decide what to do about the following problems within the party:

A Workers’ Opposition Party said that the workers didn’t have enough power. They said that some leaders led a privileged lifestyle while some workers starved.

Some members of the party said that there now needed to be more open debate within the party, because the civil war was now over and the Bolsheviks were firmly in control of Russia.


Opposition from within the Party



Allow discussion and criticism of party policy, but then make sure the party agreed with whatever decision Lenin came to.Grant the Workers’ Opposition Party their demands as they were only reasonable and fair, and allow open debate within the party.

Order the dismantling of the Workers’ Opposition Party and ban all discussion within the party that Lenin did not approve of.



Decision Three


Also at the 10th Bolshevik Party Congress in March 1921, Lenin had to decide what to do about the following problems:


Peasants were unhappy about the requisitioning of grain, and workers were unhappy about low wages and the high cost of goods.Strikes were on the increase and there were more rebellions such as the Kronstadt rebellion.

Not enough food was being produced, and a famine in Russia had led to over 5 million people starving to death.

There had been an assassination attempt on Lenin in 1921.

Unrest and famine



Ignore all the demands for change and say it was necessary for the government to control the economy so that Russia could be strong.Give in to the demands and introduce a New Economic Policy (NEP) allowing peasants to sell grain and factory owners to make a profit.

Stop the requisitioning of food by the Cheka but tighten up the Cheka’s control of any potential opposition.



Decision Four


Now let’s see whether or not you’d have made the same decisions as Lenin did.

Lenin was determined that the Bolsheviks would remain in power, whatever actions had to be taken.

Some historians think that he was even more determined that he personally would remain in power, even if it meant abandoning some of his earlier promises.

What did Lenin do?


In November 1917, people voted for parties in the new Constituent Assembly. Here are the results:

Party Votes Seats

Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) 17,490,000 370

Bolsheviks 9,844,000 175

National Minority Groups 8,257,000 99

Left SRs (pro-Bolshevik) 2,861,000 40

Kadets (Constitutional Democrats)

1,986,000 17

Mensheviks 1,248,000 16

41,686,000 717


Decision One


Here are three options that Lenin could have taken in order to make sure he and the Bolsheviks stayed in control. Which option did YOU choose?

Work with the SR party in order to get change in Russia. Most of what the SRs wanted was similar to what the Bolsheviks wanted.

Work with the other parties to try and bring down the SRs and force another election where they could influence the voters more.

Send in the Bolshevik Red Guards to close down the Constituent Assembly and simply rule without it.


30 points: This would mean that Lenin would not be in control and the Bolsheviks would probably lose popularity.

20 points: Lenin hated the idea of compromise, and the Bolsheviks had little in common with other parties.

10 points: Lenin never regarded the Assembly as representing the workers. He had said that the workers would be represented through the Soviets.

Decision One – Answers


In March 1921 sailors at the Kronstadt naval base asked Lenin to approve the following demands:

1. Secret ballot for a new Soviet2. Freedom of speech3. Free trade unions to be allowed4. Ending of special food rations for some Communist

Party members5. Freedom of assembly6. Freedom of the press.

The sailors were all Bolshevik party supporters and had been the strongest supporters during the October Revolution. Lenin had promised them all of these things before he came to power.


Decision Two



Send in the Red Guard to crush this possible revolt and challenge to Lenin’s power and control.

Agree to some but not all of their demands in order to show that he was a leader who would listen to reasonable requests.

Agree to all of their demands as they were what he had originally said he had wanted for the Russian people in any case.


10 points: This is exactly what Lenin did. The revolt was savagely put down with thousands of deaths. Lenin would not tolerate criticism.

20 points: Lenin believed that he should be listened to and trusted. He didn’t want any possible challenges to his power.

30 points: It is true that these were all true communist principles, but Lenin did not want any division within the party.

Decision Two – Answers


At the 10th Bolshevik Party Congress in March 1921 Lenin had to decide what to do about the following problems within the party:

A Workers’ Opposition Party said that the workers didn’t have enough power. They said that some leaders led a privileged lifestyle while some workers starved.

Some members of the party said that there now needed to be more open debate within the party, because the civil war was now over and the Bolsheviks were firmly in control of Russia.


Decision Three



Allow discussion and criticism of party policy, but then make sure the party agreed with whatever decision Lenin came to.

Grant the Workers’ Opposition Party their demands as they were only reasonable and fair, and allow open debate within the party.

Order the dismantling of the Workers’ Opposition Party and ban all discussion within the party that Lenin did not approve of.


20 points: This would have meant Lenin could find out who his rivals were, but it was too dangerous a strategy for him.

30 points: Lenin felt that if the party was seen to be divided then other parties might find it easier to take control in Russia.

10 points: Lenin felt that the power of the leader had to be absolute. No factions could be allowed as this would lead to the break-up of the party.

Decision Three – Answers


Also at the 10th Bolshevik Party Congress in March 1921, Lenin had to decide what to do about the following problems:


Peasants were unhappy about the requisitioning of grain, and workers were unhappy about low wages and the high cost of goods.Strikes were on the increase and there were more rebellions such as the Kronstadt rebellion.

Not enough food was being produced, and a famine in Russia had led to over 5 million people starving to death.

There had been an assassination attempt on Lenin in 1921.

Decision Four



Ignore all the demands for change and say it was necessary for the government to control the economy so that Russia could be strong.

Give in to the demands and introduce a New Economic Policy (NEP) allowing peasants to sell grain and factory owners to make a profit.

Stop the requisitioning of food by the Cheka but tighten up the Cheka’s control of any potential opposition.


30 points: People were starving and rebellions were increasing. Lenin could not afford to take this option, even though he may have wanted to

10 points: Surprisingly this was what Lenin did. He realised he had to give some concessions now, but that he could take them back later.

20 points: A good choice, but the assassination attempt had worried Lenin and he felt that he needed to ease off a bit.

Decision Four – Answers


Are you as ruthless as Lenin?


Quiz

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Documents

place of lenin

kronstadt rebellion

role play slide

freedom of assembly

bolshevik party supporters

sr party

new constituent assembly

communist party members