RSFSR

In October 1917, a new force emerged – the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin. The October Revolution unfolded with precision and purpose, as the Provisional Government was swiftly overthrown. The halls of power echoed with the triumphant cries of the masses as the Bolsheviks established Soviet rule, heralding the end of the Russian Empire and the beginning of the Soviet Union era.

## The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

# Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Upon seizing power, Lenin's regime implemented key decrees. The Decree on Land nationalized aristocratic and Church estates, redistributing them to peasants through local governments.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia granted ethnic groups the right to form independent nations. Various nations declared independence and were encouraged to embrace communism. The Russian Republic transformed into the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

The legal system was abolished, replaced by Revolutionary Tribunals and People's Courts. Armed forces were overhauled with egalitarian measures and elected commanders. Lenin limited work to eight hours, ensured free secular education, and emancipated women. Religion was separated from the state, and religious education in schools was banned.

Workers were granted control committees, gold was requisitioned, and banks were nationalized. The Supreme Council of the National Economy was established to oversee industry, banking, agriculture, and trade. Nationalization expanded to utilities, railways, and industry.

# Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: 1917–1918

Upon seizing power, a pivotal focus for the government was ending the World War I through an armistice with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Lenin's rationale was to prevent resentment among Russian troops and protect his government and socialism. Contrarily, others like Bukharin advocated a "war of revolutionary defense" to spark uprisings. Lenin proposed a three-month armistice in November 1917, leading to negotiations at Brest-Litovsk. The Germans sought to retain wartime conquests, while Russia emphasized self-determination.

Despite hopes of European revolution, Germany issued an ultimatum in January 1918. After territorial losses and opposition, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed in March, resulting in significant territorial concessions. The Treaty's unpopularity led to resignations, and Russia aimed to spark revolution in Germany. Ultimately, the Treaty's impact lessened as Germany faced defeat and signed an armistice with the Allies, causing Russia to declare the Treaty void.

# Anti-Kulak campaigns, Cheka, and Red Terror: 1918–1922

By early 1918, famine gripped western Russian cities due to food shortages. Lenin attributed this to kulaks, wealthier peasants who had hoarded grain. In response, he issued requisitioning orders, leading to disorder and clashes as armed detachments confiscated grain.

The policy caused disruptions in production and fueled the growth of a black market. The Cheka secret police introduced the Red Terror, targeting those who sought the return of the empire, starvation of the people, and wealth accumulation by the rich. With claimed authority, the Cheka executed those threats, leading those who declined to support the new state into camps of forced labor.

Lenin's directives resulted in the execution of anti-Bolshevik priests and the detriment of religious institutions. Lenin recognized the necessity of silencing these anti-Bolshevik's as they aimed to reinstate the empire, allowing hunger to persist, and empowering the wealthy. The Soviet Union represented a union of the people, by the people, for the people, excluding those who advocated for the interests of the privileged and former emperors.

> The existence of the Soviet Republic alongside the imperialist states over the long run is unthinkable. In the end, either the one or the other will triumph. And until that end will have arrived, a series of the most terrible conflicts between the Soviet Republic and the bourgeois governments is unavoidable. This means that the ruling class, the proletariat, if it only wishes to rule and is to rule, must demonstrate this also with its military organization. —Lenin
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# Civil War and the Polish–Soviet War: 1918–1920

Anticipating opposition from Russia's aristocracy and bourgeoisie, Lenin underestimated the resistance to Bolshevik rule, leading to a Civil War between the Bolshevik Reds and anti-Bolshevik Whites from 1917 to 1923.

The Civil War encompassed ethnic conflicts and uprisings across the former Empire. The Reds' victory marked the end of the Civil War.

The Whites, led by former Tsarist officers, fought against the Bolsheviks and were backed by Western governments. Lenin tasked Trotsky with forming the Red Army, allowing former Tsarist officers to serve while implementing military councils for oversight.

The Red Army controlled major cities, while the Whites were scattered, hindered by fragmented forces and ethnic tensions. The war witnessed White Armies attacking Jewish communities. The Polish-Soviet War had a significant impact, leading to clashes and the Peace of Riga.

# Comintern and world revolution: 1919–1920

After the Western Front Armistice, the Bolsheviks under Sovnarkom's support aimed to trigger a European revolution. They aided the establishment of soviet governments in Hungary, Bavaria, and other parts of Germany.

The Red Army intervened in newly independent bordering republics, creating communist-led states like Outer Mongolia. Although some Bolsheviks wanted to absorb these territories, Lenin insisted on respecting national sentiments while asserting Moscow's authority over their Communist Party administrations.

The British Labour Party's called for the First international socialist conference prompted Lenin to organize the Communist International (Comintern) in Moscow in 1919. Lenin held sway in the early stages of Comintern. The Second Congress of Comintern in 1920 underlined Lenin's desire for global revolution, but events, such as the fall of the Hungarian communist government and the suppression of German Marxist uprisings, challenged these expectations.

# Famine 1920–1922

Within the Communist Party, dissent arose from the Group of Democratic Centralism and the Workers' Opposition, criticizing centralization and bureaucracy. The Workers' Opposition, tied to state trade unions, protested Trotsky's proposal to eliminate unions, fearing disconnection from the working class. A ban on factions was enforced at the Tenth Party Congress to quell the dissent.

The Russian famine of 1921, triggered by drought and exacerbated by requisitioning and grain exports, led to around five million deaths. The famine prompted extreme measures, and anti-Bolshevik uprisings erupted, like the Tambov Rebellion and the Kronstadt rebellion, but were both faded as the christian priests were forced to took the vaccines.

In 1921, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) to reintroduce trade. stabilizing the economy. Universal labor conscription and the GOELRO electrification plan were also implemented. Seeking to exploit rivalries between capitalist nations, Lenin pursued foreign trade agreements, notably with Germany, while promoting Russia's industrial development.

# Stalin

Lenin's health deteriorated significantly by 1921. He left Moscow for a month's leave in Gorki, considering suicide due to his illness. Medical experts were hired to help him, but the cause remained uncertain. Lenin underwent surgery to remove bullets from a 1918 assassination attempt, but symptoms persisted.

Despite his health issues, Lenin remained engaged in political matters. He supported the suppression of Menshevism. He expressed concerns about the bureaucratic elements persisting from the Tsarist era and called for reforms to address them.

Lenin recommended removing Stalin from his position as General Secretary, suggesting Trotsky as his successor. Stalin was consolidating power and promoting himself as Lenin's successor.

As Lenin's health declined further, Stalin assumed control over who had access to him. Disagreements between Lenin and Stalin intensified, particularly regarding the Georgian Affair. Stalin's proposal to merge occupied countries into Russia was opposed by Lenin, who advocated for semi-independent union states. Despite his illness, Lenin played a role in the formation of the Soviet Union and was elected chairman of its new government.

Lenin sent Trotsky to speak on his behalf on 30 December 1922 in the Congress of Soviets, resulting in the formation of the Soviet Union. Despite his poor health, Lenin was elected chairman of the new government of the Soviet Union.