Impact of the Russian Revolution and Civil War

“The workers of the towns and some of the villages choke in the throes of hunger. The railways barely crawl. The houses are crumbling. The towns are full of refuse. Epidemics spread and death strikes—industry is ruined” Discuss the problems of Russia as stated by an observer aft.er the end of the Civil War

Red Terror 1918 and Repression Lenin Quickly eliminated all other parties allowing only the communist Party Censorship of radio and newspaper Established Cheka (Secret Police) to find and eliminate enemies Red Terror at least 250,000 executions Millions of arrests

Communist Victory ended nationalist movements Many forces of the White Army wanted their independent nations Red Army victory 1921 forced these groups to remain a part of Soviet Russia The Red army wanted to claim as much power and land as possible

White Board Write down 1 positive and 1 negative of being and independent nation.

Examples of crushed Nationalist Movements Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia all had goals of Independence after WWI Soviet Russia tried to bring these republics in the Azerbaijan government surrendered to the double threat of invasion by the Red Army 1920 the formerly Russian portion of Armenia was incorporated into Soviet Russia 1921 the Red Army invaded and conquered Georgia.

Political system Russian became: Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. Only the Communist party was allowed All power belonged to the Communist Party, members of which occupied all the posts in the Soviet of People’s Commissars Communist would appoint all leaders at the local levels The party itself was governed by its Central Committee in the New Capitol of Moscow.

Civil Rights Based on Communist ideals Religion, Private property, and choice were severely limited Land was taken from Kulaks (successful and wealthier Farmers) by force and violence.

Use of War Communism War Communism saved the Soviet government during the Civil War During the War Red army would take over half the crops of farmers with out compensation. People were forced to work in gov factories w/o compensation

White Board Write down a benefit and a negative of the use of War Communism.

Impact of War Communism Peasants and Farmers protested Farmers refused to till the land. By 1921 cultivated land had shrunk to 62% of the pre-war harvest was only about 37% of normal. The number of horses declined from 35 million in 1916 to 24 million in 1920 and cattle from 58 to 37 million. The exchange rate with the US dollar declined from two rubles in 1914 to 1,200 in 1920.

Devastated Economy Factories, bridges destroyed, mines, and Machinery destroyed Raw material, food harvests, and livestock used up by White and Red Army Agriculture was one-third of pre War levels output of mines and factories in 1921 had fallen to 20% of the pre-World War level The exchange rate with the US dollar declined from 2 rubles in 1914 to 1,200 in 1920.

Human Cost of the War The droughts of 1920 and 1921, as well as the 1921 famine, worsened the disaster still further. Disease and starvations killed millions 3,000,000 dying of typhus alone in Massacres by both White and Red Family structures destroyed 7 million orphaned street children 2 Million Russians fled the nations Many were of the educated, skilled, and wealthier

Discuss Why is it a problem when the educated and skilled workers leave the country.

The Russia Lenin inherited 1921, Lenin faced the same peasant uprising he used to gain power Widespread strikes in cities and in rural sections of the country broke out, Devastated Economy and Agriculture threatened to ruin the victory of the Red Army Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy, which allowed workers to sell their grain on the open market.

Death of Lenin 1922 Lenin began to suffer a series of Strokes and his health declined He saw a party and government that had strayed far from its revolutionary goals. He was particularly disappointed with Joseph Stalin Lenin died 1924

The Fight for Power Internal fighting began between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky As General Secretary of the Communist party Stalin appointed all official in government who were loyal to him. Stalin would gain full control and Trotsky would be banished in 1929