Consolidation of power

Consolidation of power

1. Problems facing Lenin after Oct. Rev.

   • Still at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
     • Occupying forces controlled most of western Russia.
   • Peasants seized land, industruial production fell, unemplyment and inflation rising.
   • Bolsheviks did not have mass support across the country.
     • Lenin too vulnerable to cancel elections for Constituent Assembly (Bol. only had 1/4).

2. Forming a Government

   • No experience of governing and administration.
     • Gov. officals went on strike and state bank refused to release any funds to new Gov.
   • Create a Gov. free from control of All-Russian Soviet.
     • Soviet pass 3 decrees first; 1. Land - confiscate all private land and give to the peasants. 2. Peace - steps to end war. 3. Organisation with the new gov.
   • Close down newspapers which were critical of the Bolsheviks.

3. Ending a war

   • No choice - deeply unpopular and factor in fall of PG.
     • Needed military for internal enemies.
   • Ceasefire - Dec. 1917.
     • 22nd Dec. Bolshevik peace delegation.
   • Germany had severe demands - take 1/3 of Russia population = 1/3 of agricultre.
     • 7/8 Jan - continure negotiations.
       • 27th Jan - Trotsky signed peace traty with Ukraine. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk - offical end of war with Germany.
         • Forced to pay high price in loss of territory and economic wealth - Bolshevik gov actually annulled treaty.

4. Constituent Assembly

   • Promised by PG after feb. rev.
     • SR took most seats - Lenins concern was how to prevent Assembly from changing new Bolshevik rule.
   • 1st = Feb. 5th 1918 - armed troops and red guards dispersed.
     • End of any democracy under Lenin - start of communism.
   • Bol. successful due to opposition divided about what to do.
     • SR split into two factions.
       • Left-wing = support Bolsheviks
     • Mensheviks divided - only come back together when Lenin firmly in control.