Methods and Conditions of Lenin's Rise to Power

What were some of the problems facing the Romanov Dynasty at the beginning of the 1900s?

• The size of the empire was too large to govern efficiently.

• Poor governance as all power was concentrated in the hands of an incapable Tsar.

• A backwards economy that had fallen behind most of Europe due to the refusal to embrace the industrial revolution that started in the 1860s.

• Widespread poverty amongst the peasants and workers who made up 82% of society.

• The Russian Orthodox Church stifled any attempts to dilute the Tsar's power in order to preserve their own privileges.

What is serfdom?

• a form of agricultural slavery

• a communist dictatorship

• the name given to the lower classes by Marx

• a water sport

How did WWI expose the failings of the Romanov Dynasty? (Choose all that applies)

• Lack of industrialisation meant the factories could not produce enough ammunition or equipment for the soldiers

• Lack of railway lines led to over-usage of the existing lines. Train tracks became damaged.

• Poor leadership - the Tsar ignored advice to stay in the capital and left for the war front, thinking he could motivate his soldiers to victory; thus leaving the Tsarina and Rasputin in charge in the capital.

• Over-reliance on military power: the Romanovs depended on the military to control the masses. When the experienced soldiers died at the war front, the reserves did not show the same loyalty to the Tsar.

• The Bolsheviks were highly popular throughout Russia and their influence destabilised the government

Who was known as the "Mad Monk" and was responsible for Czarina Alexandra's failures as a leader?

• Rasputin

• Lenin

• Tsar Nicholas II

• Alexei Romanov

What is a Soviet

• a communist Russian

• Lenin's political party

• a person in the Soviet Union

• a council made up of soldiers, farmers, and workers

The Bolshevik Party in 1917 gained the support of the

peasant class because they promised them

• abolition of the secret police

• democratic reforms in all levels of government

• "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"

• "Peace, Land, Bread"

How did the Bolsheviks' party structure contribute to Lenin's success?

• It allowed for open debate and decentralized decision-making.

• It prioritized working with other socialist parties to create coalitions.

• It was highly disciplined, with decisions made through centralized leadership.

• It focused solely on military actions while ignoring propaganda.

What role did World War I play in Lenin’s rise to power?

• It strengthened the Provisional Government's legitimacy.

• It caused widespread social unrest, economic collapse, and military failures in Russia.

• It united all political factions in Russia against the Bolsheviks.

• It had no significant impact on Lenin’s rise to power.

What was the significance of Lenin’s April Theses in 1917?

• It called for an immediate end to the war, land redistribution, and "All power to the Soviets."

• It supported the Provisional Government and encouraged cooperation with other socialist parties.

• It demanded more conservative reforms and support for the monarchy.

• It proposed delaying the revolution until after the war ended.

How did Lenin exploit the Provisional Government's weaknesses?

• By supporting its policies and encouraging the public to trust it

• By attacking its failure to end the war, address land reform, and resolve food shortages

• By allying with the Provisional Government to oppose other socialist groups

• By ignoring its actions and focusing solely on the Czarist regime