Post-Lenin Russia


Introduction

In the year 1917, one of the great historical wars, the Russian Revolution, took place. The war was held during the final or last phase of the first World War. Russia was removed or thrown out of the war, and it brought a huge change or transformation of the Russian Empire or dynasty into the USSR or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, replacing or transforming Russia’s traditional (conventional) monarchy with the world’s very first Communist state. The new government formed or established was led or headed by Vladimir Lenin, he solidifies his power or strength only after three years of the war or civil war, and it ended in 1920.

What did Lenin do after the Bolshevik Revolution?

Just after the Bolshevik Revolution, Vladimir Lenin established or formed the Cheka, it was Russia’s first confidential police. During the Russian civil war, the economic growth of the country declined or deteriorated, so Lenin used the Cheka to stop political opposition or protest from his opponents as well as from the challengers present in his political party. During this time, Lenin was badly injured by one of his rivals. And after this attempt, the Cheka introduced a period called Red Terror, a campaign, or movement of mass implementation against supporters of the czarist regime (a well-known authority), Russia’s upper-class members along with some socialists who were not loyal or interested in Lenin’s Communist Party.

And finally, Lenin’s Red Army won Russia’s civil war, and Lenin was declared the first head of the U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

How did Lenin change Russia?

Following are some changes brought under the Lenin governance-

  • Lenin along with his new communist party members initiated several reforms, they took pieces of land from Tsar (Russian monarch), the church, rich landlords, and nobles and then redistributed these among the peasants (farmers) to bring agricultural reforms and also awarded peasants for their loyalty at the time of Revolution.

  • Lenin's government also worked for the improvement of labourers by limiting their working hours to a maximum of eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.

  • To improve the conditions of the workers in the factories, the factories were assigned to the elected committees of workers.

  • Lenin also provided women equal rights to educate themselves and share senior positions in the workplace with men.

  • He has also taken several steps to restrict political opposition. He banned all those newspapers which were not under the state’s control to reduce the criticism of government policies.

What happened after Vladimir Lenin died?

Vladimir Lenin died in the year 1924 and this was a major moment in Russian history. He had been almost killed by Fanny Kaplan in the year 1918, which caused brutal damage to his health. And after that, he lost his ability to move and speak, and he was depressed about the next leader of the Soviet regime. And after his death, a struggle for leadership in the party among the members broke out in the open and Stalin took advantage and took the responsibility of organizing and managing his funeral. After that, Stalin was officially (legally) praised as his successor and he became the head of the ruling Communist Party (Lenin’s party) and of the Soviet Union itself. After coming into power, Stalin created Marxism-Leninism. And also he has his policies called Stalinism. Under his leadership, the country has gone through several advantages and disadvantages.

Rise of Joseph Stalin?

In the year 1912, Lenin appointed Stalin or Joseph Stalin as the first Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party. But after three years, Bolsheviks took power back during the Russian Revolution. The Soviet Union was founded in the year 1922 and Lenin became its first leader. During these years, Stalin made a special position in the party and became secretary general of the Central Committee of the Party. After the death of Lenin, Stalin defeated his rivals and won the leadership of the Communist Party. And by the year 1920, he became the dictator of the Soviet Union. After coming into power, he launched or presented a series of five-year plans that considered transforming or changing the Soviet Union from a peasant (workers) society to an industrial superpower. He increased the economic growth of the country by using force and terror.

Conclusion

Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary, and communist were born on 10th April in the year 1870 in Russia. He was the first head of the Bolshevik Party. He played a major role in the Russian Revolution. Furthermore, he transformed the Russian Empire or dynasty into the USSR or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Lenin along with his party members worked for the people and the development of the country by initiating several transformations. After the death of Vladimir Lenin, Stalin was officially (legally) praised as his successor and he became the head of the ruling Communist Party (Lenin’s party) and of the Soviet Union itself. After coming into power, Stalin created Marxism-Leninism. And also he has his policies called Stalinism. Under his leadership, the country has gone through several advantages and disadvantages.

FAQs

Q1. What do you mean by Communist Party?

Ans. The Communist party is a political party that fights or raises its voice for the socioeconomic goals of Society. It was initialized by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Q2. When Russian Revolution started and why?

Ans. Russian Revolution started on 8th March 1917 and the reason for the revolution was the corruption and annoying policies of the Tsars after the war monarch rule vanished from Russia and the communist government was established.

Q3. Who established the Bolshevik party and when?

Ans. Vladimir Lenin established the Bolshevik party in the year 1912 in Russia.

Updated on: 31-Jan-2023

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