1917-18 - Suppression of Opposition

• Lenin was forced to accept inter-party talks.
• Pro-Bolshevik men among Kerensky's troops managed to agitate some to defect.
• There was a skirmish on the outskirts of Petrograd and soldiers loyal to the Bolsheviks managed to hold off Kerensky's men.
• In the major towns and cities, the Bolsheviks were able to gain control and reclaimed control of the railways.

  • They did not control the countryside however.
• Lenin suggested he would consider a coalition with other socialists and allowed left-wing SRs to join the Sovnarkom.

  • However, those that were allowed to join were expected to follow Lenin's lead.
• The Bolsheviks used a range of methods in an attempt to see off any opposition.

  • The Cheka was established.
  • Leading Kadets, right-wing SRs and Mensheviks were arrested in December 1917 with the Kadet party even being made illegal.
  • The Civil Service was purged of those obstructive or hostile to Bolsheviks.
  • It was loyalty and not ability that was the key for replacements.
• Anti-Bolsheviks newspapers were closed and banned.
• Propaganda against the bourgeoisie (burzhui)

  • The campaign against "class enemies" was quite effective at turning the lawlessness and anger of many workers and soldiers against a perceived threat and away from opposition to the regime.
  • Houses were looted and anyone accused of being a burzhui was likely to be arrested or beaten and robbed.
• Suppression of opposition did seem effective but

  • The Bolsheviks lost the November election.
  • It took 4 years of Civil War for them to fully control Russia.