Download Russia in Revolution 1917-1924

HIGHFIELD HISTORY
GCSE WORKBOOK
RUSSIA DEPTH STUDY:
Russia in Revolution 1917-1924
BIG Question:
How did the Bolsheviks manage
to maintain control of Russia?
(GRADE B Booklet)
“Revolutions are always verbose.”
Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
OUTLINE OF LEARNING
Title
Lesson Objectives
Homework
I – April to October 1917
Recall the April Thesis
Explain the reasons for the collapse of the
Provisional Government
The Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk
II – The Bolshevik Revolution
III – The Russian Civil War
Describe the events of October 1917
Explain why the Bolsheviks exaggerated
the storming of the Winter Palace
Explain why there were divisions in Russia
after the Revolution
Explain the purpose of a political cartoon
IV – War Communism
Explain why War Communism was used
Judge the success of War Communism
V – The role of Trotsky
Describe Trotsky’s Civil War career
Judge the reliability of a written source
VI – The end of the Romanovs
VII – The NEP
VIII – The death of Lenin
Recall the events surrounding the deaths
of the Romanov family
Explain why the Romanovs were
assassinated
Describe the NEP
Compare the NEP with Communism
Evaluate the impact of Lenin’s death on
Communism
Explain what Lenin had wanted for the
future of the USSR
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Civil War cartoon
question
Revision
RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
KEY WORD
GLOSSARY
MEANING
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Vladimir Lenin (political leader of the Bolshevik Party)
Throughout 1917, how popular were
the Bolsheviks
the Soviet
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
What was the April Thesis?
What were the July Days?
What was the Kornilov Affair in August?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Alexander Kerensky (leader of the Provisional Government)
The Provisional Government
The Tsar and his family
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEP
Explain which factor enabled the Bolsheviks to become more popular throughout 1917
Explain why the Provisional Government eventually lost popularity amongst Russian people
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
General Peter Wrangel went to St. Petersburg after the February Revolution and the creation of the
Provisional Government.
The first thing I noticed in Petersburg was the profusion of red ribbon. Everyone was decorated with it, not
only soldiers, but students, chauffeurs, cab-drivers, middle-class folk, women, children, and many officers.
Men of some account, such as old generals and former aides-de-camp to the Tsar, wore it too.
I expressed my astonishment to an old comrade of mine at seeing him thus adorned. He tried to laugh it
off, and said jokingly: "Why, my dear fellow, don't you know that it's the latest fashion?"
I considered this ridiculous adornment absolutely useless. Throughout my stay in the capital I wore the
Tsarevich's badge, the distinguishing mark of my old regiment, on my epaulettes, and, of course, I wore no
red rag.
Soon after the February Revolution the journalist Harold Williams interviewed Alexander Kerensky.
Last week's ridiculous manifesto (Order No 1), issued in the name of the Council of Workmen's Deputies
(the Soviet), calling on the soldiers not to obey their officers, Kerensky sharply characterized as an act of
provocation. There had been a few instances of grave disturbance of discipline, but the Minister was
confident that this phase would soon pass, together with the other eccentricities. He declared: "The general
effect of the liberation will, I am convinced, be to give an immense uplift to the spirit of the troops, and so
to shorten the war. We are for iron discipline in working hours, but out of working hours we want the
soldiers to feel they are also free men.”
Harold Williams, Daily Chronicle (4th March, 1917)
The Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies (the Soviet) is now an unwieldy body of over a thousand
members elected by the workmen of all the factories and the soldiers of each company of the insurgent
regiments. This body is swayed by Socialists, some of whom are moderate and reasonable, and realize all
the complexity of the present situation, while others are extremists who are eager to give immediate effect
to their doctrines.
After meeting George Lvov, the British diplomat, George Buchanan, sent a report on their discussions to
the Foreign Office (8th April, 1917)
Lvov does not favour the idea of taking strong measures at present, either against the Soviet or the Socialist
propaganda in the army. On my telling him that the Government would never be masters of the situation so
long as they allowed themselves to be dictated to by a rival organization, he said that the Soviet would die a
natural death, that the present agitation in the army would pass, and that the army would then be in a
better position to help the Allies to win the war than it would have been under the old regime.
Edward T. Heald, letter to his wife (2nd May, 1917)
The sudden burst of radical propaganda, which has developed during the past week, is attributed to a man
named Lenin who has just arrived from Switzerland. He came through Germany, and rumour is that he was
banqueted by Emperor Wilhelm. As he entered the country through Finland, he harangued the soldiers and
workingmen along the way with the most revolutionary propaganda. One of the Americans who came
through on the same train told us how disheartening it was. Lenin's first words when he got off the train at
Petrograd were "Hail to the Civil war." God knows what a task the Provisional Government has on hand
without adding the trouble that such a firebrand can create.
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Albert Rhys Williams described the arrival of troops to put down the Bolshevik uprising in July, 1917, in
his book, Through the Russian Revolution.
On the third day the troops arrive. Bicycle battalions, the reserve regiments, and then the long grim lines
of horsemen, the sun glancing on the tips of their lances. They are the Cossacks, ancient foes of the
revolutionists, bring dread to the workers and the joy to the bourgeoisie. The avenues are filled now with
well-dressed throngs cheering the Cossacks, crying "Shoot the rabble". "String up the Bolsheviks".
A wave of reaction runs through the city. Insurgent regiments are disarmed. The death penalty is restored.
The Bolshevik papers are suppressed. Forged documents attesting the Bolsheviks as German agents are
handled to the press. Leaders like Trotsky and Kollontai are thrown into prison. Lenin and Zinoviev are
driven into hiding. In all quarters sudden seizures, assaults and murder of workingmen.
During the summer of 1917 George Buchanan became concerned about the survival of the Provisional
Government.
The Russian idea of liberty is to take things easily, to claim double wages, to demonstrate in the streets,
and to waste time in talking and in passing resolutions at public meetings. Ministers are working
themselves to death, and have the best intentions; but, though I am always being told that their position is
becoming stronger, I see no signs of their asserting their authority. The Soviet continues to act as if it were
the Government.
The military outlook is most discouraging. Nor do I take an optimistic view of the immediate future of the
country. Russia is not ripe for a purely democratic form of government, and for the next few years we shall
probably see a series of revolutions or counter-revolutions. A vast Empire like this, with all its different
races, will not long hold together under a Republic. Disintegration will, in my opinion, sooner or later set in,
even under a federal system.
Harold Williams, Daily Chronicle (29th September, 1917)
The Kornilov Affair has intensified mutual distrust and completed the work of destruction. The Government
is shadowy and unreal, and what personality it had has disappeared before the menace of the Democratic
Assembly. Whatever power there is again concentrated in the hands of the Soviets, and, as always happens
when the Soviets secure a monopoly of power, the influence of the Bolsheviks has increased enormously.
Kerensky has returned from Headquarters, but his prestige has declined, and he is not actively supported
either by the right or by the left.
Arthur Ransome was in Russia during the October Revolution.
Before the end of August it was obvious that there would be a Bolshevik majority in the Soviets that would
be reflected in the composition of the Executive Committee. During the 'July Days' the weakness of the
Government had been manifest. Kerensky had been weakened by the double failure, military and
diplomatic, disasters in Galicia and failure to bring the warring powers together in conference at Stockholm.
Both these failures had brought new strength to the Bolsheviks, and a swing to the left was inevitable.
TOP TIP for an B Grade – It’s essential to be able to explain why the
Bolsheviks were popular, find events that are mentioned in BOLD to help you
think through which events turned the Bolsheviks into a popular movement.
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918
Russia fought against Germany during World War I. However, in February 1918 Russia surrendered to
Germany. The Russian army had collapsed and the Russians were forced to sign a peace treaty against their
will. Below are three sources about the Brest-Litovsk Treaty of March 1918. (A treaty is a peace agreement
between countries.)
Source B: Russia’s losses in numbers. This was what
Russia had to hand over to Germany under the terms of
the treaty:
34% of its population
32% of its agricultural (farming) land
54% of its industry (manufacturing)
26% of its railways
89% of its coalmines
A fine of 300 million gold roubles
Source C: The diary entry of a German army officer
named Herbert Sulzbach from the 3rd March 1918.
‘The final peace treaty has been signed with Russia. Our
conditions are hard and severe, but our quite exceptional
victories entitle us to demand these...there is still some
justice left. [in the world].’
Source A: A map of Russia. The shaded
area shows the amount of land they
were forced to hand over to Germany.
Activity: Imagine your are a Russian politician at the
signing of the Brest– Litovsk Treaty. Write your own diary
entry for the 3rd March 1918. In it include
The key terms of the Treaty
How you would feel about it (Upset? Angry?)
3rd March 1918
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Medal
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Comment
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do next time?
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Describe the events of the Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917
Describe the events of the Bolshevik Revolution according to the film “Oktyabr” by Eisenstein (1927)
Explain why there are such differences between these two versions
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Who were the Reds and the Whites?
Why were they fighting?
What happened in the Russian Civil War?
Why did the Reds win?
Why did the Whites lose?
SOURCE QUESTION OPPOSITE - Why was this cartoon produced?
Do you think this cartoon was published by the Bolsheviks or their opponents?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Do you think this cartoon was published by the Bolsheviks or their opponents?
What inferences can you make about the cartoon?
What can you see in the cartoon?
A cartoon published in 1919. The figures at the back represent foreign
governments (The USA, France and Britain) and the dogs represent the
White Russian generals.
Medal
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Mission
Way to Improve
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What will you do next time?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Why was this cartoon produced?
What inferences can you make about the cartoon?
What can you see in the cartoon?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Why was this cartoon produced?
Medal
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Comment
/7
Mission
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ATL
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Comment
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do next time?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
What was War Communism?
Why did the Reds use War Communism?
Weigh up the relative success of War Communism for the Reds?
SOURCE A
In the villages, peasants will not give grain to the Bolsheviks because they hate them. Armed companies are
sent to take grain from the peasants and every day, all over Russia, fights for grain are fought to a finish.
Comments made by a British businessman in Russia in 1918.
SOURCE B
Explain which of these sources you believe to be a more fair summary of War Communism?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Who was Trotsky and what was his role with the Bolsheviks?
What does this cartoon suggest about the character of Trotsky?
This anti-Bolshevik propaganda poster, dated to the
Russian Civil War (1919), shows Leon Trotsky as a
devil. Elements of the imagery reveal anti-Semitism (a
popular anti-communist tactic was to overplay the role
of Jews in the Russian Bolshevik Revolution). Trotsky is
being aided by Chinese soldiers, many of whom fought
alongside the Bolsheviks (Reds) in the Russian Civil
War. The White Army's message reads "Peace and
Freedom in Sovdepiya.“
Do you trust what it suggests about him?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Trotsky paid a visit to the front lines. He made a speech. We were all lifted by his energy. The situation,
which had been disastrous 24 hours earlier, was improved by his coming as though by a miracle.
Comments of a Red Army soldier about Trotsky’s visit to the front line.
How reliable is this source?
Compare both sources - How far do they explain the success of the Bolsheviks during the Civil War?
Use the sources and your own knowledge from the previous lessons to explain your answer.
In your own words – How important was Trotsky to the success of the Reds during the Civil War?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
When the detachment came in, the commandant [Yurovsky] told the Romanovs that in light of the fact
that their relatives in Europe were continuing their aggression against Soviet Russia, the Ural [local]
Executive Committee had decreed that they were to be shot. Nicholas turned his back to the detachment,
his face toward his family, then, as though collecting himself, turned to the commandant with the
question: "What? What?" The commandant hurriedly repeated his statement and ordered the
detachment to get ready. Nicholas, again turning to the family said nothing more; the others made a few
incoherent exclamations; this all lasted a few seconds. Then the shooting started; lasted for two to three
minutes. Nicholas was killed on the spot by the commandant himself.
Carole Bos (2003) "Nicholas and Alexandra”
Why did the Reds decide to have the royal family murdered?
Describe the events surrounding the deaths of the Romanov family?
WHO WAS THERE?
WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?
WHAT HAPPENED?
HOW IMPORTANT AN EVENT WAS THIS IN THE CIVIL WAR, AND WHY?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Our poverty and ruin are so great that we cannot at one stroke restore large-scale socialist production.
We must try to satisfy the demands of the peasants who are dissatisfied and discontented. There must
be some freedom to trade and freedom for the small private owner. We are now retreating, but we are
doing this so we can run and leap forward more vigorously.
Lenin introducing the New Economic Policy at the Party Congress, 1921.
Pick out the key words in this statement – what is Lenin suggesting should be done in Russia now that
the Civil War is over?
Coal
Oil
Iron
Steel
Sugar
Electricity
1913
29
9.2
4.2
4.3
1.3
2039
Industrial output in millions of tonnes/kilowatts
1921
9
3.8
0.1
0.2
0.05
520
What was the N.E.P. and why do you think Lenin introduced it?
Who were the Kulaks and the NEPmen?
Why was there opposition to the N.E.P. from some Communists?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Using your own knowledge and the sources below explain why you believe Lenin was or was not the key
factor in the success of Communism in Russia.
A Bolshevik cartoon published in 1921. Lenin is shown with a broom.
George Seldes wrote about Lenin in his book
You Can't Print That! (1929)
Many people trembled when the name of the dictator was mentioned.
When we said to the censors, " Lenin himself said this," they laughed.
When it served their purposes they added or deleted, and sometimes
they suppressed Lenin entirely. When it pleased them they arranged
interviews, but for years they did their best to keep the " capitalist"
journalists out of Lenin's sight. We heard him, however, at all the big
congresses. He reported on foreign and domestic affairs. He never
hesitated to acknowledge defeats and failures. But he was always optimistic. My disillusion was profound. I
wondered how this man, who has so little magnetism, had come to the fore in a radical environment where
spell-binding oratory, silver-tongued climaxes, soap-box repartee, have been the road to success. In battle
with his enemies he was uncompromising and without pity. He hated power, knowing its corruption. His
political wisdom was great; he understood mob psychology thoroughly but was a little weak in his grasp of
individual psychology; he never made a mistake in dealing with the masses but he frequently did in
choosing men to share power.
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
Was there a natural successor to Lenin?
What do you think might have been Lenin’s plans for the future of Communist Russia?
HOPES
FEARS
SELF / PEER ASSESSMENT
Medal
Positive Comment
Mission
Way to Improve
Student Comment
What will you do next time?
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RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924
KEY WORD: MUTINY - when a soldier fights against his own leaders
What other reasons are there to explain why the Provisional Government failed?
What own knowledge can you add to this statement?
Highlight the text that helps to answer the question
TOP TIP – ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT – ALWAYS THINK PEACE, BREAK AND
LAND (THE APRIL THESIS) – WHICH OF THESE DOES THIS SOURCE RELATE TO, WHICH ONES DOES IT NOT
RELATE TO?
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HOW FAR DOES THIS EXPLAIN?
WHAT DOES THE SOURCE SUGGEST? (QUOTE FROM IT)
ADD YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE
WHAT DOES IT NOT SAY?
Medal
Positive
Comment
/7
Mission
Way to
Improve
ATL
Student
Comment
What will you
do next time?
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