QW's:
1. “The aims and policies of single-party state rulers rarely followed their declared ideology.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?
2. Compare and contrast the rise to power of two rulers of single-party states, each chosen from a different region.
MWH 349-358
How successfully did Lenin and the Bolsheviks deal with their problems (1917-1924?)
I. How much support did the Bolsheviks have from the people?
a. the elections of November 1917
i. Bolshevik seats - 175
ii. Social Revolutionary seats - 370
iii. Mensheviks seats - 15
iv. "left wing" groups - 40
v. nationality groups - 80
vi. Kadets - 17
b. How did Lenin respond to the election results?
He broke up the Constituent assembly with the Red Guards and created the
Sovnarkam (Council of People's Commissars)with himself as chairman and 15
Bolsheviks members.
II. What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and what were its conditions?
a. It was a treaty between...
Russia and Germany
b. Russia gave up
i. 1/3 of her framing land and 2/3 of her coal mines
ii. 1/3 of her population
iii. 1/2 her heavy industry
III. Why did the Bolsheviks resort to violence?
a. Violence from others
i. Petrograd and Moscow - Severe food shortages occurred. Lenin blamed the kulaks who horded food and used the Cheka to deal with them.
ii. Ukraine - The loss of the Ukraine added to the food shortages.
iii. Social Revolutionaries - Did their best to wreck the treaty, assassinated German ambassador and Bolshevik government official.
iv. violence aimed at Bolshevik leaders - Head of Cheka assassinated, Lenin shot (but survived)
b. Lenin's flawed reasoning
i. Marx's predictions
1. Middle class would overthrow autocracy and create parliamentary democracy
2. Industrialization, industry workers become new majority, overthrow and create classless system
ii. Russia's reality
1. Lenin thought these two revolutions could be combined
2. Small government came to power without industrial majority, instead had to cater to the peasants
iii. Lenin's expectations for the rest of Europe
Thought that Soviets would be supported by neighboring European communist countries
c. Liberal historical interpretation
Lenin and Trotsky were always committed to use of violence, Cheka set up while Soviets were only government, wanted the death penalty
IV. The Red Terror
a. against peasants - over 6000 executed, against those with "surplus"
b. against political opponents - Round up and shot like the peasants
c. against the former Tsar - Entire royal family killed
V. Civil War
a. Which groups made up the "Whites"? Social Revolutinaries, Mensheviks, tsarist officers and any other opponents of the Bolsheviks.
b. What was the Whites' main goal? To set up a democratic government on Western ideals.
c. What was the role of other nations? Russia's WWI allies intervened to help the Whites.
d. What was the result of the Civil War? The Bolsheviks defeated the Whites.
e. How were the communists able to win the Civil War?
i. The Whites were unorganized.
ii. The Red armies outnumbered the Whites by about 10 to one, and were better armed.
iii. Lenin implemented War Communism, which was successful in providing food and materials for the armies.
iv. Lenin was able to link the Reds with "nationalism" and mark the Whites as foreign in people's minds.
VI. What were the effects of the Civil War?
a. civilian deaths - 8 million from war or disease, four times the amount of WWI
b. economic changes - The state was now more centralized
VII. What was done about economic problems?
a. effects of war communism
i. Put the NEP into effect
ii. Brought back old managers and foriegn trade
b. reforms of the New Economic Policy
i. Sale of surplus was allowed
ii. Small industries restored to state ownership
iii. Foreign investment encouraged
c. successes of the NEP
i. Production levels improved
ii. Industrial workers paid real wages
iii. Peasants enjoyed a higher standard of living
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
IRL 5
http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/gcse/germany/economy.htm
This a commercial academic resource that details the Nazi economic policy. It connects to the ideas we had in class about the goals of the German economy, as well as the effects. It adds more detail by saying what was successful and unsuccessful about the economy, and compares the stated goals with actual outcome. The source is heavily influenced by the author's view and is not written "factually" at all, which provides an insight but also bias. The top of the page is filled with advertisements and the links at the bottom seem to be commercial as well. However, the site is generally education-based and the ending is .org, so it is still a viable source.
This a commercial academic resource that details the Nazi economic policy. It connects to the ideas we had in class about the goals of the German economy, as well as the effects. It adds more detail by saying what was successful and unsuccessful about the economy, and compares the stated goals with actual outcome. The source is heavily influenced by the author's view and is not written "factually" at all, which provides an insight but also bias. The top of the page is filled with advertisements and the links at the bottom seem to be commercial as well. However, the site is generally education-based and the ending is .org, so it is still a viable source.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
IRL4
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/war_communism.htm
This is an article concerning the history, details and effects of War Communism. It connects to our discussions about War Communism during the Civil War. It adds more details for some of the points of War Communism, as well as a detailed description of the effects and reaction from the people of it. The source seems reputable and has mostly the same ideas as what we had in class, but it is a ".co.uk" site, which means it is difficult to tell whether or not it is for profit. Advertisements also line the border.
This is an article concerning the history, details and effects of War Communism. It connects to our discussions about War Communism during the Civil War. It adds more details for some of the points of War Communism, as well as a detailed description of the effects and reaction from the people of it. The source seems reputable and has mostly the same ideas as what we had in class, but it is a ".co.uk" site, which means it is difficult to tell whether or not it is for profit. Advertisements also line the border.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
IRL 3
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b3chiangkaishek.htm
This a biography of Chiang Kaishek. It helps add to the history of an important figure that we have discussed in class. One especially important detail is the fact that Chiang went to Japan and actually went to a military college there, possibly showing some reason for his unwillingness to fight them. It also discusses his childhood and how he got to be Sun Yatsen's protege. The material in consistent with what we have learned in class, from various books. However the caption for the website header is "Hyperlinked World History with Biblical Perspective," showing an obviously biased view.
This a biography of Chiang Kaishek. It helps add to the history of an important figure that we have discussed in class. One especially important detail is the fact that Chiang went to Japan and actually went to a military college there, possibly showing some reason for his unwillingness to fight them. It also discusses his childhood and how he got to be Sun Yatsen's protege. The material in consistent with what we have learned in class, from various books. However the caption for the website header is "Hyperlinked World History with Biblical Perspective," showing an obviously biased view.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
SGQ3
How did the Communists come to power in China?
1. Revolution and the warlord era
a. Explain the three major crises of this era?
i. Europeans began to forcefully move into China
ii. The Taiping Rebellion
iii. The defeat at the hands of the Japanese/The Boxer Rebellion
b. What was the immediate cause of the 1911 revolution?
The soldiers began the revolution and were quickly followed by the rest of the population.
c. What were the two important positive developments that took place during the Warlord Era?
i. The May the Fourth movement against the warlords began.
ii. The Guomindang gained power, eventually having enough to defeat the Warlords by 1928.
2. The Kuomintang, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and Chiang Kai-shek
a. What were Sun Yat-sen's three goals for China?
i. Nationalism: to make China a respected power and rid her of foreign influence.
ii. Democracy: China should be ruled by the people, once educated.
iii. Land reform: Sun wanted land to be given among the peasants, but also did not want landlords' property to be confiscated.
b. What three steps did Chiang take to consolidate power?
i. He removed all left-wingers from high positions in the GMD.
ii. He set out on the Northern march to destroy the warlords.
iii. He launched an extermination campaign against the Communists.
3. Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party
a. How did the Communists survive the extermination campaigns?
They ran into the mountains and, when surrounded, broke through the lines of the GMD, hiking 6k miles in a little over one year, passing through mountains, capturing cities and eluding governmental armies.
b. Why did Mao and the Communists gain support?
i. The GMD was was corrupted and looked after the interests of the wealthy rather than the peasants.
ii. The factory conditions barely improved
iii. The peasants remained poor, due to the hoarding of food in cities and high taxes. By contrast, the Communists gave even the poorest peasants land and restricted rents.
iv. The GMD put up no resistance the Japanese. Chiang would rather destroy the Communists than the Japanese, although nobody else agreed. He was eventually forced to ally with the Communists against Japan, bringing them great honor and resources.
4. Briefly summarize how the CCP won their struggle with the KMT, and give 2 reasons
At first, it appeared as if the the GMD would win, with foreign support and more occupied land. However, the CCP was able to avoid their armies until their force was sufficient for a head-on attack, which they executed immediately. They were able to defeat the GMD due to a better organized party system, as well as the possession of leaders who were more dedicated to their cause and were able to exploit the weaknesses of the GMD.
1. Revolution and the warlord era
a. Explain the three major crises of this era?
i. Europeans began to forcefully move into China
ii. The Taiping Rebellion
iii. The defeat at the hands of the Japanese/The Boxer Rebellion
b. What was the immediate cause of the 1911 revolution?
The soldiers began the revolution and were quickly followed by the rest of the population.
c. What were the two important positive developments that took place during the Warlord Era?
i. The May the Fourth movement against the warlords began.
ii. The Guomindang gained power, eventually having enough to defeat the Warlords by 1928.
2. The Kuomintang, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and Chiang Kai-shek
a. What were Sun Yat-sen's three goals for China?
i. Nationalism: to make China a respected power and rid her of foreign influence.
ii. Democracy: China should be ruled by the people, once educated.
iii. Land reform: Sun wanted land to be given among the peasants, but also did not want landlords' property to be confiscated.
b. What three steps did Chiang take to consolidate power?
i. He removed all left-wingers from high positions in the GMD.
ii. He set out on the Northern march to destroy the warlords.
iii. He launched an extermination campaign against the Communists.
3. Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party
a. How did the Communists survive the extermination campaigns?
They ran into the mountains and, when surrounded, broke through the lines of the GMD, hiking 6k miles in a little over one year, passing through mountains, capturing cities and eluding governmental armies.
b. Why did Mao and the Communists gain support?
i. The GMD was was corrupted and looked after the interests of the wealthy rather than the peasants.
ii. The factory conditions barely improved
iii. The peasants remained poor, due to the hoarding of food in cities and high taxes. By contrast, the Communists gave even the poorest peasants land and restricted rents.
iv. The GMD put up no resistance the Japanese. Chiang would rather destroy the Communists than the Japanese, although nobody else agreed. He was eventually forced to ally with the Communists against Japan, bringing them great honor and resources.
4. Briefly summarize how the CCP won their struggle with the KMT, and give 2 reasons
At first, it appeared as if the the GMD would win, with foreign support and more occupied land. However, the CCP was able to avoid their armies until their force was sufficient for a head-on attack, which they executed immediately. They were able to defeat the GMD due to a better organized party system, as well as the possession of leaders who were more dedicated to their cause and were able to exploit the weaknesses of the GMD.
SGQ2
A. Reforms under Nicholas II
1. How was Nicholas able to survive the 1905 revolution?
i. His opponents were not united
ii. There was no main leadership, the uprising had happened spontaneously
iii. He compromised with the October Manifesto at a critical moment
iv. Most of the Russian Army were still loyal to him.
2. What reforms did Nicholas institute?
i. Improvement in pay and conditions for industrial workers
ii. The cancellation of payments made by peasants for freedom and land
iii. More liberties for the media
iv. True democracy in the form of the Duma
3. What happened to the Dumas?
The first Duma had too many rights for Nicholas to bear, and was henceforth dismissed after 10 weeks. The same fate befell the second Duma, at which point Nicholas changed the voting system so that peasants and factory workers could not vote. The next two Dumas were much more conservative and lasted longer, although they had no real power.
B. Strengths of the regime
1. how did Stolypin gain support of some peasants?
i. He did away with redemption payments.
ii. He encouraged peasants to buy their own payments.
iii. what is a kulak?
A wealthy peasant who owned his own farm.
2. how did the regime gain support among industrial workers?
Improved working conditions in the industries.
3. other positive signs for the regime
i. Universal education within 10 years, 50k more primary schools by 1914
ii. The revolutionary parties had little cash, were ripped apart by disagreements, and party heads were in exile.
C. Weaknesses of the regime
1. why were Stolypin's land reforms failing?
i. The amount of peasants was rising too fast.
ii. His methods weren't efficient enough to support the rise in population.
2. what was the trend with industrial strikes in the years leading to WWI?
The amount of strikes rose from 1912 through July 1914.
3. what three groups did the government especially target for repression?
i. Peasants
ii. Industrial Workers
iii. Intelligentsia (educated classes)
4. revolutionary parties - what did each hope for?
i. Bolsheviks - A small party of educated revolutionaries to bring the revolution.
ii. Mensheviks - Anybody and everybody to help them take over the country.
iii. Social Revolutionaries - A society based on peasant communities working together.
5. How was the royal family tainted by scandal?
i. Stolypin's death - People believed Nicholas was one of those who wanted Stolypin dead.
ii. Rasputin - Rasputin's drunkness and affairs with ladies of the court were noted by the people, but Alexandra refused to believe them.
D. World War I
What were considered failures in Russia's effort in WWI?
i. Nicholas made himself Supreme Commander
ii. Poor transportation organization
iii. Scarcity and high price of food
iv. Shortage of supplies
v. Corrupt legal system lead to havoc on the home front
1. How was Nicholas able to survive the 1905 revolution?
i. His opponents were not united
ii. There was no main leadership, the uprising had happened spontaneously
iii. He compromised with the October Manifesto at a critical moment
iv. Most of the Russian Army were still loyal to him.
2. What reforms did Nicholas institute?
i. Improvement in pay and conditions for industrial workers
ii. The cancellation of payments made by peasants for freedom and land
iii. More liberties for the media
iv. True democracy in the form of the Duma
3. What happened to the Dumas?
The first Duma had too many rights for Nicholas to bear, and was henceforth dismissed after 10 weeks. The same fate befell the second Duma, at which point Nicholas changed the voting system so that peasants and factory workers could not vote. The next two Dumas were much more conservative and lasted longer, although they had no real power.
B. Strengths of the regime
1. how did Stolypin gain support of some peasants?
i. He did away with redemption payments.
ii. He encouraged peasants to buy their own payments.
iii. what is a kulak?
A wealthy peasant who owned his own farm.
2. how did the regime gain support among industrial workers?
Improved working conditions in the industries.
3. other positive signs for the regime
i. Universal education within 10 years, 50k more primary schools by 1914
ii. The revolutionary parties had little cash, were ripped apart by disagreements, and party heads were in exile.
C. Weaknesses of the regime
1. why were Stolypin's land reforms failing?
i. The amount of peasants was rising too fast.
ii. His methods weren't efficient enough to support the rise in population.
2. what was the trend with industrial strikes in the years leading to WWI?
The amount of strikes rose from 1912 through July 1914.
3. what three groups did the government especially target for repression?
i. Peasants
ii. Industrial Workers
iii. Intelligentsia (educated classes)
4. revolutionary parties - what did each hope for?
i. Bolsheviks - A small party of educated revolutionaries to bring the revolution.
ii. Mensheviks - Anybody and everybody to help them take over the country.
iii. Social Revolutionaries - A society based on peasant communities working together.
5. How was the royal family tainted by scandal?
i. Stolypin's death - People believed Nicholas was one of those who wanted Stolypin dead.
ii. Rasputin - Rasputin's drunkness and affairs with ladies of the court were noted by the people, but Alexandra refused to believe them.
D. World War I
What were considered failures in Russia's effort in WWI?
i. Nicholas made himself Supreme Commander
ii. Poor transportation organization
iii. Scarcity and high price of food
iv. Shortage of supplies
v. Corrupt legal system lead to havoc on the home front
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