17.5.8

Achievements of Lenin & Trotsky

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Bolshevik Policies on Women and Education

The Bolsheviks introduced lots of new policies aimed at women and education in an attempt to promote communism.

Women in Russia before 1920

Women in Russia before 1920

  • 1917: Women and men were declared equals, and divorce was made much easier and cheaper.
    • Marriage could now be non-religious.
  • 1919: the Zhenotdel was set up under Alexandra Kollontai as an organisation to improve the rights, position and freedoms of women.
Women's policy after 1920

Women's policy after 1920

  • 1920: Abortion was legalised.
  • 1923: Kollontai became the first female ambassador in the world, serving in Norway.
  • 1926: Women in a relationship could own property separately from their husbands.
Women under the NEP

Women under the NEP

  • Despite these changes, in general, the economic position of women under the NEP worsened.
  • Women’s rights were not seen as a priority by leading members of the government, and investment in the services industry (which benefited women) was reduced.
  • The revolution had only improved gender equality a little bit.
Education

Education

  • Free education (up to the age of 17) was introduced in Russia in 1919.
    • In the Red Army, a literacy drive aimed to increase soldiers’ intellectual capabilities and their understanding of communist ideas.
  • Over half the population was literate by 1926.
  • Yet by 1927 only 5% of teachers were actually members of the Communist Party, and education was not fully subjected to communist standards until the 1930s.

Economic Achievements of Lenin and Trotsky

Despite constant controversy around the New Economic Policy (NEP), Lenin enjoyed a certain amount of economic success.

Economic growth

Economic growth

  • Economic growth was strong, particularly between 1924 and 1925.
  • This increased the popularity of the Bolshevik leadership, and optimism about possibilities with the NEP increased.
Electrification programme

Electrification programme

  • Lenin's electrification programme was the best example of a successful public works project.
Agriculture

Agriculture

  • Productivity in farming went back to pre-war levels
  • Some peasants were able to raise funds to buy new machinery and tools.
  • But exports to other countries never reached their 1913 levels.
Workers

Workers

  • The length of the working day fell to 7.8 hours by 1928.
    • This applied to both women and men.
  • Unemployment remained high as many people moved to the towns.
    • Economic growth was not quite fast enough to solve this problem.
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Empires East & West: 1000 AD

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The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

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The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

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Medieval Religion

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The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

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How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

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Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

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European Renaissance

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The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

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Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

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King John

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The Black Death

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Worldviews

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The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

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The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

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The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

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Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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