Bolshevik state

How was the Bolshevik state consolidated: 1921-1924?

The Bolsheviks were in serious trouble in 1921, facing massive peasant revolts, strikes and opposition from urban workers, a rising at the Kronstadt naval base, economic distress and famine. The Bolsheviks were in real danger of losing power.

There were also factions within the Party like the ‘Workers opposition’ who wanted changes in policy.

Lenin made economic concessions in the form of the New Economic Policy to ensure the survival of the regime.

The NEP was accompanied by repressive measures as the Communists asserted their control.

Between 1918 and 1924, the government became increasingly centralised. This was partly the response of practical measures to fighting the Civil War. Partly it was down to economic necessity, e.g., requisitioning to feed the army. But it was also due to party ideology and Lenin’s belief in the need for discipline.

The Communist Party became increasingly important, at the expense of government institutions. Effectively, the Party became the government.

The Communist Party itself became more centralised. By 1924 it was controlled by a small number of leaders. It became more used to obeying orders than debating and making decisions. Factions were banned.

By 1924, the Soviet Union was a highly centralised, one party state.

How did the Bolsheviks survive the first few months in power?

The Bolshevik government was in a fragile condition during its first few months. It faced strikes and protests from other parties over one-party rule.

There were divisions within the Party over a proposed socialist coalition. Some leading Bolsheviks temporarily resigned in protest at Lenin’s failure to support the coalition idea.

Lenin had always intended to rule on his own and made this clear to his own party as early as 1902 when he wrote ‘What is To Be Done?’

Lenin’s early policies had to be modified in response to pressure from the workers, army, nationalities and peasants.

Soviet control of factories and land redistribution were not really what Lenin wanted but he was prepared to allow these things until his power was secure.

The Bolsheviks crushed opposition and developed forces of terror and coercion, especially the Cheka.

Lenin persuaded the Bolsheviks to sign the unpopular Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. He knew he had to end the war if his government was to survive.

How did the Bolsheviks win the civil War?

The war was very complicated with many forces operating over a wide area. The sides were not clearly defined.

White forces made substantial gains in late 1918 and up to the autumn of of 1919, putting the Bolsheviks in a crisis situation. By October 1919, the Bolsheviks had turned the tide, picking off White armies one by one until their eventual defeat in 1921.

The Reds were in a better position geographically and had better organisation, better communication and a clear command structure.

Trotsky made a significant personal contribution to victory through his organisational ability and personal courage.

The Whites lacked good leadership, unity and co-ordination between armies during campaigns. They were riven by internal rivalries and squabbles.

The whites lacked support from the peasants and national minorities because of their reactionary policies.

Lenin adopted War Communism to meet the needs of the army and feed the population of the cities.

Terror was an essential component of the civil war, the Reds used the Cheka to ensure discipline on the Home Front and in the army. Thousands were executed.

Communists saw War Communism as a step on the road to a Marxist socialist state.

Most people’s experience of War Communism was that it was a terrible time of privation and chaos.