17.5.4

Red Terror & Centralisation

Test yourself

The Red Terror

The Bolsheviks moved quickly to crush their opposition and to restrict political freedoms.

Illustrative background for Quashing oppositionIllustrative background for Quashing opposition ?? "content

Quashing opposition

  • As early as December 1917, all non-Bolshevik newspapers, even those of other left-wing groups, were banned.
  • The Kadet Party was banned and its leaders arrested.
  • Law courts were replaced by Revolutionary Tribunals, and the Cheka shot enemies of the Bolsheviks.
Illustrative background for The secret policeIllustrative background for The secret police ?? "content

The secret police

  • The Cheka terrorised enemies of the Bolsheviks during the Civil War in the so-called Red Terror.
  • The Cheka was then renamed the GPU (State Political Directorate) in 1922, and then the OGPU (All-Union State Political Directorate) in 1923.
  • During the Red Terror (September 1918 to February 1919), between 50,000 and 140,000 people were executed, and concentration camps were established on the Solevetsky Islands.
Illustrative background for One-party stateIllustrative background for One-party state ?? "content

One-party state

  • Between 1918 and 1922, the Socialist Revolutionists, Mensheviks and anarchists were removed and deported (sent into exile in other countries). Russia became a one-party state.
  • In February 1918, Bolshevik decrees became more extreme.
    • The party could now force anyone to do hard labour and could execute anyone who resisted.

Bolshevik Centralisation

In March 1918, the Bolsheviks became the Russian Communist Party (of Bolsheviks). There was a shift towards ‘communism’ rather than ‘Bolshevism’ in public. This led to a process of centralisation.

Illustrative background for The SovnarkomIllustrative background for The Sovnarkom ?? "content

The Sovnarkom

  • Lenin was the chairman of the government, which was called Sovnarkom (the Council of People’s Commissars).
  • Lenin was responsible for Russia’s development into a brutal dictatorship, rather than into a genuinely equal communist society.
Illustrative background for The Communist PartyIllustrative background for The Communist Party ?? "content

The Communist Party

  • Although the Soviets were supposed to be in charge in the regions, in reality power was completely under the control of the Communist Party.
  • The Soviets were eventually required to agree automatically with the decisions of the central party.
  • While from the outside the communist government seemed like a democracy, in reality the Communist Party decided everything.
  • When elections were held, it was only members of the Party who could stand for office.
    • Criticism of the party was not allowed.
Illustrative background for The PolitburoIllustrative background for The Politburo ?? "content

The Politburo

  • The Central Committee was elected at the Party Congress to represent the party between congresses. The Central Committee elected the Politburo (the key policymaking committee).
  • The first members of the Politburo were Lenin, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Trotsky and Stalin.
  • From 1917 onwards, the Politburo became increasingly powerful.
Illustrative background for The Soviet UnionIllustrative background for The Soviet Union ?? "content

The Soviet Union

  • In 1924, under a new constitution, Russia was reorganised into the USSR - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
  • There were initially four republics. The largest was the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic.
  • Officially, each region had voluntarily become part of the USSR.
    • In reality, the Red Army had forced the regions to join and there was no way for them to leave the USSR.
  • In December 1925, the Communist Party became the ‘All-Union Communist Party (of Bolsheviks)’ in response to this change.

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

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium