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.

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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.
Illustrative background for Women's policy after 1920Illustrative background for Women's policy after 1920 ?? "content

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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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Electrification programme

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

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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