17.5.1

End of WW1

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Early Bolshevik Decrees, Late 1917

The Bolsheviks wanted to show the people that they were different by issuing a series of decrees (laws).

Illustrative background for Condemnation of the Provisional GovernmentIllustrative background for Condemnation of the Provisional Government ?? "content

Condemnation of the Provisional Government

  • The Bolsheviks only had real power in a few large cities in the first month of the new government.
    • The Bolsheviks also needed to find a solution to Russia’s involvement in the war.
  • The Bolsheviks started by condemning the Provisional Government for not pulling Russia out of the war or instigating any meaningful reform.
Illustrative background for The Decree on Peace, November 1917Illustrative background for The Decree on Peace, November 1917 ?? "content

The Decree on Peace, November 1917

  • The Decree on Peace was passed by the All-Russian Congress.
    • The decree called for all countries in the war to begin peace talks.
  • The Congress wanted no annexation or reparations (fines imposed by the victors) as part of any peace treaties.
    • This was a good way to take decisive action which would be popular amongst workers and soldiers.
Illustrative background for The Decree on Land, November 1917Illustrative background for The Decree on Land, November 1917 ?? "content

The Decree on Land, November 1917

  • The November decree on land called for land to be taken from landowners and given to peasants.
  • Although this had happened informally already during the unrest in the previous few months, this gave legal backing for these actions.
  • In December, land owned by the church was nationalised (taken into control of the state).
Illustrative background for Decrees on Workers’ Rights, November/December 1917Illustrative background for Decrees on Workers’ Rights, November/December 1917 ?? "content

Decrees on Workers’ Rights, November/December 1917

  • The Decree on Work introduced an eight-hour working day.
  • The Decree on Unemployment introduced insurance for the unemployed, injured or ill.
  • The Decree on Workers’ control formalised workers’ committees’ authority to run factories.
  • The Decree on Nationalities in November 1917 allowed the national minorities of the old empire to rule themselves in their own language, whilst staying under the control of Petrograd.
Illustrative background for Outcome of the decreesIllustrative background for Outcome of the decrees ?? "content

Outcome of the decrees

  • The Soviets across the nation supported these decrees, as people felt they were experiencing the dawn of a new Russia.
  • Symbolically, titles were abolished, and ‘Your honour’ and ‘Your excellency’ were banned and replaced with ‘Comrade’.
  • These changes were unifying in the beginning.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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