Summary
The Bolsheviks gained power through strategic actions and popular support, and they consolidated their rule by establishing control over the government and economy.
- Provisional Government Formed — A temporary government set up in March 1917. Example: It shared power with the Petrograd Soviet but lacked legitimacy.
- Order No. 1 — A directive that weakened army discipline in March–April 1917. Example: It allowed soldiers to disobey officers, undermining authority.
- April Theses — Lenin's promises upon his return in April 1917. Example: "Peace, Land, Bread" and "All Power to the Soviets" gained support.
- June Offensive — A failed military campaign in June 1917. Example: Its collapse exposed the government's weakness.
- Kornilov Affair — An attempted coup in August 1917. Example: The Bolsheviks gained credibility by defending Petrograd.
- October Revolution — The Bolshevik seizure of power on 10 October 1917. Example: Red Guards took key points, overthrowing the Provisional Government.
- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk — A peace treaty signed in 1918. Example: It ended Russia's involvement in World War I.
- Cheka — A secret police force established in 1918. Example: It was used to crush opposition.
- War Communism — An economic policy during the Civil War (1918–1921). Example: It supplied the Red Army but caused civilian hardship.
- NEP (New Economic Policy) — An economic policy introduced in 1921. Example: It restored the economy after War Communism.
- USSR Formation — The establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. Example: It marked the consolidation of communist rule.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Provisional Government
- April Theses
- Kornilov Affair
- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
- War Communism
- NEP (New Economic Policy)
Common Confusions
- Confusing the Provisional Government with the Bolshevik government
- Misunderstanding the role of the Cheka
Typical Exam Questions
- How did the Bolsheviks gain popular support? By promising "Peace, Land, Bread" and "All Power to the Soviets."
- What was the significance of the Kornilov Affair? It increased Bolshevik credibility and support.
- How did the Bolsheviks consolidate their power after 1917? Through the establishment of the Cheka and the implementation of War Communism.
What Examiners Usually Test
- The reasons behind the Bolsheviks' rise to power
- The impact of the October Revolution
- The effectiveness of Bolshevik policies in consolidating power