The First Communist Government and Lenin's Policies

Lenin's government did not enjoy the support of the majority of the Russian population. It also faced strong opposition from the Social Revolutionaries and other political groups, as well as from former Imperial Russian Army generals who wished to see the return of Tsarist rule. To protect the gains made by the Bolshevik Party, Lenin established the Cheka in December 1917.

The Cheka was a secret police force whose role was to remove anyone who threatened Bolshevik control. Headed by Felix Dzerzhinsky, the Cheka arrested and executed thousands of Russian citizens deemed to be "counter-revolutionaries." The list of counter-revolutionaries included the clergy, landlords, former Tsarist army officers, and anyone suspected of working for the Russian monarchy.

In July 1918, the former Tsar, Nicholas II, and his wife and five children were executed by members of the Cheka to prevent the return of the monarchy. Nicholas II had sought refuge in Britain in 1917, but his cousin, Britain's King George V, concerned that their presence would destabilise the British monarchy, had refused the Tsar's pleas for refuge. The Russian royal family was subsequently imprisoned in the rural town of Ekaterinburg until their execution.

Key Policies and Actions

• Disbanding the Red Guard and replacing it with the Red Army in January 1918.
• Ensuring former Imperial Russian Army officers were kept in the Red Army for training purposes, but introducing political commissars to ensure loyalty to Bolshevik ideals.
• By 1920, the Red Army had nearly 5 million members.

Significant Changes Under Lenin's Rule

You should look to do more research on these changes for additional context—remember, context is key in LC History.

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• Land Redistribution - Nobles' lands were redistributed to the peasants.
• Nationalisation - All businesses in Russia, including banks, were brought under state control.
• Control of Production - Workers were given control over factories and the distribution of goods.
• Abolition of Class Distinctions - Titles of nobility and class privileges were eliminated. All citizens were referred to as "comrade."
• Equality and Secularism - Inequality based on gender, class, or religion was abolished; the Russian Orthodox Church's lands and wealth were confiscated.
• Education and Literacy - An emphasis was placed on eliminating illiteracy, reaching 70% in 1917.
• Political Transformation - The Bolshevik Party was renamed the All-Russian Communist Party.
• End of War Involvement - Russia withdrew from World War I.
• Name Change - Russia was renamed the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) in July 1918.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

• Lenin's most immediate goal was to end the war with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
  • On December 15, 1917, Russia agreed to an armistice with the Central Powers. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed on March 3, 1918.
  • Russia lost the Baltic states, a large portion of its best agricultural land, and most of its modern industries.
  • Many of Lenin's associates were angered by the terms of the Treaty. In 1920, Lenin himself admitted that the terms had been harsh but necessary to focus on establishing communism in Russia.

Lenin believed that the Treaty was necessary for the survival of the communist government: "We gained time, we gained a little time, and only sacrificed a great deal of space for it."

The Cheka - Key Context

• Lenin established the Cheka (All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage) on December 20, 1917. Its primary role was safeguarding the Bolshevik regime from internal threats.
• Felix Dzerzhinsky was appointed as the head of the Cheka. His leadership was marked by strict and often ruthless measures to eliminate opposition.
• The Cheka had extensive powers, including arrest, detention, and execution of individuals deemed counter-revolutionaries or threats to the Bolshevik government. They operated with minimal oversight and due process.
  • The Cheka was known for its use of terror tactics. During the Red Terror (1918-1922), they executed thousands of suspected enemies of the state, including political opponents, former Tsarist officials, and ordinary citizens accused of anti-Bolshevik activities.
  • Their targets included a wide range of groups, such as the clergy, landlords, former Tsarist officers, and anyone suspected of supporting the Russian monarchy or opposing Bolshevik policies.

• Initially focused in major cities, the Cheka quickly expanded its network across Russia, establishing regional branches to ensure comprehensive control and suppression of dissent throughout the country.
• The Cheka operated in secrecy, often conducting night raids and covert operations. They maintained a network of informants and spies to gather intelligence on potential threats.
• The Cheka was the precursor to later Soviet security agencies, including the NKVD and the KGB. Its methods and structure influenced the development of Soviet state security apparatus for decades.

Key Quotes:

"We gained time, we gained a little time, and only sacrificed a great deal of space for it." - Lenin, on the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

"The Provisional Government has been deposed." - Bolshevik announcement after storming the Winter Palace.

"Peace, Land, and Bread!" - Lenin's slogan from the April Theses.

Quickfire Revision Questions

1. Why did Lenin establish the Cheka in December 1917? To remove anyone who posed a threat to Bolshevik control.

2. What happened to the Russian royal family in July 1918? Members of the Cheka executed them.

3. What were some of the significant changes under Lenin's rule? Land redistribution, nationalisation of businesses, workers' control over production, abolition of class distinctions, emphasis on education, and withdrawal from World War I.

4. What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and why was it controversial? It was a peace treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary that resulted in significant territorial losses for Russia but was deemed necessary by Lenin to focus on establishing communism.