structure

• Soviet State Structure

  Framework established by Lenin, mostly symbolic to provide legitimacy to the new state
• Constitution


  Established in July 1918 for the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic
• All-Russian Congress of Soviets


  Supreme authority, elected by city and provincial soviets with more weight given to cities
• Franchise

  Voting rights for those working in productive labor, soldiers, and disabled persons
• All-Russian Central Executive Committee


  Elected by the All-Russian Congress, exercises authority on behalf of the Congress between sessions
• Council of People's Commissars (Sovnarkom)


  Appointed by the Central Executive Committee, entitled to issue orders and decrees
• Formation of the USSR

  In December 1922, after the Civil War, the Soviet state united with Ukraine, Belarus, and Transcaucasia