Leaving Certificate H1 Essay
Plans
, Dictatorship and Democracy
Essay Plan 1
Lenin’s Contribution to Communism in Russia
Lenin assumed power in January 1917, when, having failed to secure a majority in the November elections, he
employed the Red Guards to dissolve the parliament. From the onset it was clear that Lenin was no democrat. He
would set about introducing pure communism to Russian society through a mix of terror and conciliation. A
pragmatic politician, he knew when to reverse unpopular policies, but ultimately was steadfast in his goal to
introduce pure communism to Russia, and beyond.
Communist Reforms Terror
Immediate Reforms ● Lost November elections 1917
Peace - Exited WWI, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ➔ Dissolved the assembly =
● Lost ⅓ of her arable land undemocratic
● Lost 62 million people
● Lost 80% iron and 90% coal deposits Introduced one-party dictatorship
Bread NOT a proletarian dictatorship
● Banks & factories nationalised ● Politburo
● Conditions improved - 8 hour day ● Banned all other parties
Land ● Eliminated party factionalism,
● Seized from landlords 1921
● Formed collective farms ● Strict censorship
● Political prisoner camps
War Communism = emergency economic measures 1920 - 84 camps; 1923 - 315
● All private business made illegal camps
● Factories nationalised ● Attack on the Orthodox Church
● Strikers could be shot
● Food & goods were rationed The Red Terror
● Peasants were forced to sell produce to the government ● Dora Kaplan, August 1918
● Forced labour ● The Cheka & Dzerzhinsky
● The Cheka seized crops & livestock executed 140,000 1918-22
● Surplus crop was requisitioned without payment
➢ Peasants resisted - punished - Kulaks The Russian Civil War, 1917-22
➢ Increased shortages - Kulak resistance ● Execution of the Romanovs
➢ Many fled the city in search of food ● War Communism - famine
➢ Collapse in production ● The Kronstadt Revolt - ruthlessly
➢ Hyperinflation suppressed
➢ (+ drought) led to a famine
➢ Killed over 4 million Russians
NEP - “we are taking one step backward to later take two steps
forward”
, ● The seizing of grain ended
● Peasants paid tax (in grain) but were allowed to sell surplus
● Small private business was permitted e.g shops
● Large business remained nationalised e.g coal mines, banks, rail
➢ The NEP allowed limited capitalism
➢ The rise of a middle class
➢ Industrial & agricultural production increased to pre-war levels
= Lenin was a realist
But hardline communists resented ‘NEPmen’ and Kulaks
Lenin’s premature death in 1924, left Russia’s communist revolution well-rooted, but incomplete. Through his
reforms, Lenin had introduced the Russian people to communism, allowing him to be hailed by many, “The creation
of Soviet Russia and its survival were due to him. He was a very great man and even, despite his faults, a very good
man.” (A.J.P Taylor). On the other hand, sheer terror provided the background to Lenin’s reforms. It is impossible
to know if the initial terror would have eased as Lenin died prematurely in 1924. His failure to assign a successor in
his Last Testament ensured that his communist regime was to be followed by one that was far more brutal - in the
prophetic words of Winston Churchil, “Their worst misfortune was his birth, their next worst - his death.”
Essay Plan 2
To What Extent did Lenin and Stalin bring Social and Economic Change to Russia, 1917-45?
What did Lenin and Stalin contribute to communism in Russia?
Introduction The communist regime was born in Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin in 1917. The
communist revolution was to continue under ‘man of steel’, Joseph Stalin. Throughout the years 1917-45 the
Soviet economy and society was transformed. The economic policies of Lenin and Stalin established true
Communism in Russia. Communism had brought the promise of hope to the peasants and proletariat, but the
reality would prove to be very different.
Lenin Stalin
1. Immediate Communist Reforms: 5. Aim: Socialism in One Country
Peace - Exited WWI, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ● Opposed to ‘World Revolution’
● Lost ⅓ of her arable land ● Emphasised the need to develop the Soviet
● Lost 62 million people Union industrially in order to survive in a
● Lost 80% iron and 90% coal deposits hostile world
Bread ● “We are 50 or 100 years behind the advanced
● Nationalised banks, rail, factories etc. countries. We must make good this lag in 10
● 8 hour working day years or they will crush us.” - Stalin, 1931.
Land ● Stalin also believed that an economically
● Seized from landlords successful Soviet Union would convince other
● Collective farms countries to turn to communism
, 2. (a) One Party Dictatorship
● Despite defeat in 1917 elections
● Banned opposition
(b) The Red Terror 6. Collectivisation
● Background: Civil War Reds Vs Whites ● Abandoned NEP - not communism
● Dora Kaplan assassination attempt Aug 1918 ● Needed mass ag production to aid
● The Cheka & Dzerzhinsky 140,000 executed industrialisation
● Political prisoner camps ● Kolkhovs - Peasant farmers pooled their
1920 - 84 camps; 1923 - 315 camps resources & sold their produce to the state at a
3. War Communism = emergency economic fixed price.
measures ● Muzhiks Vs Kulaks
● All private business made illegal ○ Land idle, livestock slaughtered
● Factories nationalised ○ Cattle 200m 1928 - 34m 1938
● Strikers could be shot ➔ Enemies of the state
● Food & goods were rationed ➔ Gulags or execution
● Peasants forced to sell produce to government ➔ Manmade Famine, millions died
● Forced labour ➔ By 1940, 97% collectivised
● The Cheka seized crops & livestock ➔ Farm productivity did not increase to
● Surplus crop was requisitioned without payment pre-collectivisation levels until 1940
➢ Peasants resisted - punished
➢ Increased shortages
➢ Many fled the city in search of food
➢ Collapse in production
➢ Hyperinflation
➢ (+ drought) led to a famine
➢ Killed over 4 million Russians
4. NEP - “we are taking one step backward 7. Industry - Planned a ‘huge leap forward’, how? - 5 Year
to later take two steps forward” Plans...
● Following the Kronstadt Revolt 1928-33
● The seizing of grain ended ● Focused on heavy industry - coal, iron, steel,
● Peasants paid tax (in grain) but were machinery
allowed to sell surplus ● Russia’s vast resources of oil and coal were to be
● Small private business was permitted e.g fully exploited
shops ➔ Caucuses, Gorky, Magnitogorsk
● Large business remained nationalised e.g ● New factories, power stations, roads, oil refineries
coal mines, banks, rail & railways were built
➢ The NEP allowed limited capitalism ● Production soared
➢ The rise of a middle class ● Electrical output trebled
➢ Industrial & agricultural production ● National income rose 27-45m roubles
increased to pre-war levels ● Over-ambitious goal of 250% increase
= Lenin was a realist 1933-38
But hardline communists resented ● Hampered by famine
‘NEPmen’ and Kulaks ● Continued focus on heavy goods despite promise of
consumer goods - sidelined to armaments
Plans
, Dictatorship and Democracy
Essay Plan 1
Lenin’s Contribution to Communism in Russia
Lenin assumed power in January 1917, when, having failed to secure a majority in the November elections, he
employed the Red Guards to dissolve the parliament. From the onset it was clear that Lenin was no democrat. He
would set about introducing pure communism to Russian society through a mix of terror and conciliation. A
pragmatic politician, he knew when to reverse unpopular policies, but ultimately was steadfast in his goal to
introduce pure communism to Russia, and beyond.
Communist Reforms Terror
Immediate Reforms ● Lost November elections 1917
Peace - Exited WWI, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ➔ Dissolved the assembly =
● Lost ⅓ of her arable land undemocratic
● Lost 62 million people
● Lost 80% iron and 90% coal deposits Introduced one-party dictatorship
Bread NOT a proletarian dictatorship
● Banks & factories nationalised ● Politburo
● Conditions improved - 8 hour day ● Banned all other parties
Land ● Eliminated party factionalism,
● Seized from landlords 1921
● Formed collective farms ● Strict censorship
● Political prisoner camps
War Communism = emergency economic measures 1920 - 84 camps; 1923 - 315
● All private business made illegal camps
● Factories nationalised ● Attack on the Orthodox Church
● Strikers could be shot
● Food & goods were rationed The Red Terror
● Peasants were forced to sell produce to the government ● Dora Kaplan, August 1918
● Forced labour ● The Cheka & Dzerzhinsky
● The Cheka seized crops & livestock executed 140,000 1918-22
● Surplus crop was requisitioned without payment
➢ Peasants resisted - punished - Kulaks The Russian Civil War, 1917-22
➢ Increased shortages - Kulak resistance ● Execution of the Romanovs
➢ Many fled the city in search of food ● War Communism - famine
➢ Collapse in production ● The Kronstadt Revolt - ruthlessly
➢ Hyperinflation suppressed
➢ (+ drought) led to a famine
➢ Killed over 4 million Russians
NEP - “we are taking one step backward to later take two steps
forward”
, ● The seizing of grain ended
● Peasants paid tax (in grain) but were allowed to sell surplus
● Small private business was permitted e.g shops
● Large business remained nationalised e.g coal mines, banks, rail
➢ The NEP allowed limited capitalism
➢ The rise of a middle class
➢ Industrial & agricultural production increased to pre-war levels
= Lenin was a realist
But hardline communists resented ‘NEPmen’ and Kulaks
Lenin’s premature death in 1924, left Russia’s communist revolution well-rooted, but incomplete. Through his
reforms, Lenin had introduced the Russian people to communism, allowing him to be hailed by many, “The creation
of Soviet Russia and its survival were due to him. He was a very great man and even, despite his faults, a very good
man.” (A.J.P Taylor). On the other hand, sheer terror provided the background to Lenin’s reforms. It is impossible
to know if the initial terror would have eased as Lenin died prematurely in 1924. His failure to assign a successor in
his Last Testament ensured that his communist regime was to be followed by one that was far more brutal - in the
prophetic words of Winston Churchil, “Their worst misfortune was his birth, their next worst - his death.”
Essay Plan 2
To What Extent did Lenin and Stalin bring Social and Economic Change to Russia, 1917-45?
What did Lenin and Stalin contribute to communism in Russia?
Introduction The communist regime was born in Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin in 1917. The
communist revolution was to continue under ‘man of steel’, Joseph Stalin. Throughout the years 1917-45 the
Soviet economy and society was transformed. The economic policies of Lenin and Stalin established true
Communism in Russia. Communism had brought the promise of hope to the peasants and proletariat, but the
reality would prove to be very different.
Lenin Stalin
1. Immediate Communist Reforms: 5. Aim: Socialism in One Country
Peace - Exited WWI, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ● Opposed to ‘World Revolution’
● Lost ⅓ of her arable land ● Emphasised the need to develop the Soviet
● Lost 62 million people Union industrially in order to survive in a
● Lost 80% iron and 90% coal deposits hostile world
Bread ● “We are 50 or 100 years behind the advanced
● Nationalised banks, rail, factories etc. countries. We must make good this lag in 10
● 8 hour working day years or they will crush us.” - Stalin, 1931.
Land ● Stalin also believed that an economically
● Seized from landlords successful Soviet Union would convince other
● Collective farms countries to turn to communism
, 2. (a) One Party Dictatorship
● Despite defeat in 1917 elections
● Banned opposition
(b) The Red Terror 6. Collectivisation
● Background: Civil War Reds Vs Whites ● Abandoned NEP - not communism
● Dora Kaplan assassination attempt Aug 1918 ● Needed mass ag production to aid
● The Cheka & Dzerzhinsky 140,000 executed industrialisation
● Political prisoner camps ● Kolkhovs - Peasant farmers pooled their
1920 - 84 camps; 1923 - 315 camps resources & sold their produce to the state at a
3. War Communism = emergency economic fixed price.
measures ● Muzhiks Vs Kulaks
● All private business made illegal ○ Land idle, livestock slaughtered
● Factories nationalised ○ Cattle 200m 1928 - 34m 1938
● Strikers could be shot ➔ Enemies of the state
● Food & goods were rationed ➔ Gulags or execution
● Peasants forced to sell produce to government ➔ Manmade Famine, millions died
● Forced labour ➔ By 1940, 97% collectivised
● The Cheka seized crops & livestock ➔ Farm productivity did not increase to
● Surplus crop was requisitioned without payment pre-collectivisation levels until 1940
➢ Peasants resisted - punished
➢ Increased shortages
➢ Many fled the city in search of food
➢ Collapse in production
➢ Hyperinflation
➢ (+ drought) led to a famine
➢ Killed over 4 million Russians
4. NEP - “we are taking one step backward 7. Industry - Planned a ‘huge leap forward’, how? - 5 Year
to later take two steps forward” Plans...
● Following the Kronstadt Revolt 1928-33
● The seizing of grain ended ● Focused on heavy industry - coal, iron, steel,
● Peasants paid tax (in grain) but were machinery
allowed to sell surplus ● Russia’s vast resources of oil and coal were to be
● Small private business was permitted e.g fully exploited
shops ➔ Caucuses, Gorky, Magnitogorsk
● Large business remained nationalised e.g ● New factories, power stations, roads, oil refineries
coal mines, banks, rail & railways were built
➢ The NEP allowed limited capitalism ● Production soared
➢ The rise of a middle class ● Electrical output trebled
➢ Industrial & agricultural production ● National income rose 27-45m roubles
increased to pre-war levels ● Over-ambitious goal of 250% increase
= Lenin was a realist 1933-38
But hardline communists resented ● Hampered by famine
‘NEPmen’ and Kulaks ● Continued focus on heavy goods despite promise of
consumer goods - sidelined to armaments
