A Level History - Russia key words Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
command economy
Ans: An economic system in which the government controls the country's
economy.
Vesenkha
Ans: The Supreme Council of National Economy - day-to-day running of
economy, allocated resources.
Gosplan
Ans: The Soviet central planning organisation.
Kulaks
Ans: Wealthy peasants.
proletariat
Ans: The exploited class, the mass of workers who do not own the means of
production.
bourgeois
Ans: A member of the middle class (the term would be used broadly, ie. 'petit
bourgeois' or 'bourgeois specialists').
bourgeois specialists
Ans: Skilled technicians, managers or experts.
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socialist realism
Ans: Artistic style promoting socialism by positively depicting Soviet life (and an
optimistic future).
autarky
Ans: Economic independence or self-sufficiency.
war communism
Ans: Application of centralised state control (during civil war); Bolsheviks seized
grain from peasants, introduced rationing, nationalised all banks and industry.
Central Committee
Ans: Leading group determined Bolsheviks' broad policies (from 1912)
Cheka
Ans: The secret police under Lenin and his Communist Party (est. 1917).
Comintern
Ans: The Communist International - international socialist organisation founded
to promote Marxism and spread worldwide 'proletarian revolution'.
constitutional monarchy
Ans: A form of government in which the monarch acts as head of state within
the boundaries of a constitution (real power given to a representative assembly).
Cossacks
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