Lenin and the Bolsheviks Take Power

Read the Epilogue (pages 39-45) "Lenin and the Bolsheviks Take Power" in the Russian Revolution Reading.
Lenin's consolidation of power

1. Why was Lenin reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks or Socialist Revolutionaries?
He thought their willingness to compromise would ruin his revolutionary agenda.

2. List two reasons why the Provisional Government under Kerensky could not govern.
The Mensheviks and the SRs did not respect or trust Kerensky.


3. The Bolsheviks did not have a majority at the Congress of Soviets after the October Revolution. How did they manage to assume power?
The Mensheviks and SRs walked out of the congress (they were angry about armed insurrection against the provisional government) and then the Bolsheviks had the majority because they left.
4. What did the Bolsheviks have to give up in order to get out of World War I? What was the name of the Treaty?
They signed the Treat of Brest-Litovsk. This said that Russia would give Germany a lot of land including Poland, Ukriane, Finland and the Baltic States. They lost a lot of their population, agricultural land, industry and a lot of its coal mines.

5. What was the Checka?
It was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Struggle against Counter-Revolution, Sabotage and Speculation. It became an instrument of state terror during the civil war.

6. What supporters joined the Red Army? White Army?
White Armies were anti-Bolsheviks and the Red Armies were Bolsheviks.

7. How many Russians died during the Civil War? How many emigrated to other countries?
Thirteen million died, two million emigrated.