Communist government in the USSR,
1917–91
, Communist government in the USSR, 1917–91
Establishing Communist Party control 1917–24
Bolshevik Aims
● The Bolshevik Party was formed in 1903 as a revolutionary group opposed to the Tsarist
regime, which they saw as outdated, repressive and incapable of meeting the needs of
modern Russia.
● The collapse of Tsarism in February 1917, largely caused by the pressures of the First
World War, created political chaos that allowed the Bolsheviks to seize power in October
1917.
● The Bolsheviks sought to abolish the capitalist system, which they believed enabled the
upper and middle classes to exploit workers and peasants.
● They sought to replace capitalism with socialism, where the state would control the
economy and redistribute wealth more fairly to improve living and working conditions.
● In the long term, the Bolsheviks aimed to establish communism, a classless and stateless
society in which people controlled their own lives and resources.
Marxist Influences
● Bolshevik ideology was based on the ideas of Karl Marx, who argued that history was
shaped by class struggle over material wealth.
● Marx believed societies developed through stages:
○ Primitive communism – no classes or private property.
○ Feudalism – power held by landowning aristocracy.
○ Capitalism – exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.
○ Socialism – dictatorship of the proletariat and fair distribution.
○ Communism – a classless society where the state would wither away.
● Marx believed the transition from capitalism to communism was inevitable.
,
Lenin’s Interpretation
● Lenin adapted Marxism to Russian conditions, believing change would not happen
naturally.
● He argued that a disciplined, centralised Bolshevik Party should act as the vanguard of
the revolution.
● The Bolsheviks would rule as a dictatorship of the proletariat, taking power from the
bourgeoisie and controlling the economy on behalf of the workers.
● Once opposition and counter-revolution were eliminated, Lenin believed the state would
eventually wither away, allowing communism to develop.
The October Revolution, 1917
● Bolsheviks seized power through a planned and organised uprising in October 1917
● The Provisional Government was removed from power after the collapse of Tsarist rule
● Bolsheviks were still a minority party (~300,000 members)
● Revolution portrayed as a mass workers’ uprising to legitimise Bolshevik rule
● Propaganda exaggerated events, e.g. “storming” of the Winter Palace
● In reality, resistance was minimal — Women’s Death Battalion opened the gates
● Limited popular support meant force and repression were necessary to stay in power
Why a One-Party State Emerged (1917–1924)
● Russia initially had an opportunity for democratic development
● Bolsheviks claimed to rule “for and on behalf of the people”
● By 1921, the USSR had become a one-party state
● Other political groups were banned or eliminated
, ● Bolshevik rule became authoritarian, centralised, and reliant on terror
Challenges to Bolshevik Power
● Bolsheviks lacked enough support to lead a genuine popular revolution
● Power was taken by force, creating widespread opposition
● Opposition groups included:
○ Left-wing rivals: SRs and Mensheviks
○ Right-wing and liberals: Tsarists, middle classes fearing loss of property
○ Nationalist groups: Ukrainians, Poles, Finns seeking independence
Bolsheviks vs Other Left-Wing Groups
● SRs and Mensheviks expected a share in government
● Lenin rejected all calls for coalition, even from some Bolsheviks
● Trotsky dismissed rivals as irrelevant (“dustbin of history”)
● Some Left SRs briefly joined government, but cooperation collapsed
● Left SRs left government in March 1918 over Brest-Litovsk
Constituent Assembly (1917–18)
● Democratically elected parliament promised after October Revolution
● Elections held in November 1917
● Results:
○ Bolsheviks: 175 seats (~9 million votes)
○ SRs: 410 seats (~21 million votes)
1917–91
, Communist government in the USSR, 1917–91
Establishing Communist Party control 1917–24
Bolshevik Aims
● The Bolshevik Party was formed in 1903 as a revolutionary group opposed to the Tsarist
regime, which they saw as outdated, repressive and incapable of meeting the needs of
modern Russia.
● The collapse of Tsarism in February 1917, largely caused by the pressures of the First
World War, created political chaos that allowed the Bolsheviks to seize power in October
1917.
● The Bolsheviks sought to abolish the capitalist system, which they believed enabled the
upper and middle classes to exploit workers and peasants.
● They sought to replace capitalism with socialism, where the state would control the
economy and redistribute wealth more fairly to improve living and working conditions.
● In the long term, the Bolsheviks aimed to establish communism, a classless and stateless
society in which people controlled their own lives and resources.
Marxist Influences
● Bolshevik ideology was based on the ideas of Karl Marx, who argued that history was
shaped by class struggle over material wealth.
● Marx believed societies developed through stages:
○ Primitive communism – no classes or private property.
○ Feudalism – power held by landowning aristocracy.
○ Capitalism – exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.
○ Socialism – dictatorship of the proletariat and fair distribution.
○ Communism – a classless society where the state would wither away.
● Marx believed the transition from capitalism to communism was inevitable.
,
Lenin’s Interpretation
● Lenin adapted Marxism to Russian conditions, believing change would not happen
naturally.
● He argued that a disciplined, centralised Bolshevik Party should act as the vanguard of
the revolution.
● The Bolsheviks would rule as a dictatorship of the proletariat, taking power from the
bourgeoisie and controlling the economy on behalf of the workers.
● Once opposition and counter-revolution were eliminated, Lenin believed the state would
eventually wither away, allowing communism to develop.
The October Revolution, 1917
● Bolsheviks seized power through a planned and organised uprising in October 1917
● The Provisional Government was removed from power after the collapse of Tsarist rule
● Bolsheviks were still a minority party (~300,000 members)
● Revolution portrayed as a mass workers’ uprising to legitimise Bolshevik rule
● Propaganda exaggerated events, e.g. “storming” of the Winter Palace
● In reality, resistance was minimal — Women’s Death Battalion opened the gates
● Limited popular support meant force and repression were necessary to stay in power
Why a One-Party State Emerged (1917–1924)
● Russia initially had an opportunity for democratic development
● Bolsheviks claimed to rule “for and on behalf of the people”
● By 1921, the USSR had become a one-party state
● Other political groups were banned or eliminated
, ● Bolshevik rule became authoritarian, centralised, and reliant on terror
Challenges to Bolshevik Power
● Bolsheviks lacked enough support to lead a genuine popular revolution
● Power was taken by force, creating widespread opposition
● Opposition groups included:
○ Left-wing rivals: SRs and Mensheviks
○ Right-wing and liberals: Tsarists, middle classes fearing loss of property
○ Nationalist groups: Ukrainians, Poles, Finns seeking independence
Bolsheviks vs Other Left-Wing Groups
● SRs and Mensheviks expected a share in government
● Lenin rejected all calls for coalition, even from some Bolsheviks
● Trotsky dismissed rivals as irrelevant (“dustbin of history”)
● Some Left SRs briefly joined government, but cooperation collapsed
● Left SRs left government in March 1918 over Brest-Litovsk
Constituent Assembly (1917–18)
● Democratically elected parliament promised after October Revolution
● Elections held in November 1917
● Results:
○ Bolsheviks: 175 seats (~9 million votes)
○ SRs: 410 seats (~21 million votes)
