Government and control in wartime

    Cards (26)

    • What increased centralization of power during the Civil War?
      Civil War
    • What was the original formation of the Bolsheviks?
      A group of disciplined revolutionaries
    • How did Lenin's inclination affect his leadership during the Civil War?
      It confirmed and hardened his control tendency
    • What city replaced Petrograd as the capital during the Civil War?
      Moscow
    • Why was Moscow chosen as the new capital?
      It was closer to the western frontier
    • What symbolic change occurred with the capital's relocation to Moscow?
      Shifted from elite focus to militaristic styles
    • What fraction of party members fought for the Red Army?
      Over half
    • What was the consequence of party members fighting for the Red Army?
      They became used to obeying orders
    • How did the Soviet bureaucracy change during the Civil War?
      Officials outnumbered workers 2-1
    • What did the extension of government control suggest about the bureaucracy?
      It created a dictatorship of the bureaucracy
    • What was the real driving force behind the government?
      The Bolshevik party
    • How did the party structure appear to be democratic?
      Based on annual congress elected by masses
    • Who shaped the actual policies and decisions of the Bolshevik party?
      The party's central committee
    • What body was created in 1919 that became the real center for party policy?
      Politburo
    • Who were included in the Politburo?
      Trotsky, Stalin, Lenin
    • What happened to the frequency of Sovnarkom meetings?
      They became less frequent
    • What concept did Lenin speak of that tightened the hold of a one-party state?
      Democratic centralism
    • What are the key components of the Soviet government structure?
      • Sovnarkom: 15-20 members, issued orders, met daily
      • Central Committee of Soviets: Elected by congress, made laws
      • Congress of Soviets: Supreme law-making body
      • Provincial and City Soviets: Oversaw administration
      • Local and District Soviets: Carried out central policies
    • What are the key components of the Communist party structure?
      • Politburo: 7-9 members, decision-making body
      • Central Committee: Elected from congress, debated policies
      • Congress: Chosen from provincial, debated policies
      • Provincial and City Parties: Powerful organizations
      • Local Parties: Members chosen for suitability
    • What was the impact of the Civil War on the communist state?
      Associated with repression and terror
    • What demand tightened due to the Civil War?
      Demand for obedience to the party
    • What mentality did the Bolshevik communists adopt during the Civil War?
      Siege mentality against enemies
    • What happened to areas conquered by the Red Army?
      Absorbed by RSFSR or remained separate
    • What was Stalin's view on the control of conquered areas?
      Wanted them under complete control by Moscow
    • What was Lenin's preference regarding the structure of the Soviet republics?
      Preferred a federation of Soviet republics
    • When was the USSR established?
      End of 1922
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