The Bolshevik consolidation of power was a vital and pivotal period between 1917 to 1924 in Russia.
The Bolsheviks consolidated their power primarily through the civil war which was undoubtedly an integral element of their ability to protect the gains of the revolution against foreign and national pressure. Furthermore the New Economic Policy (NEP) also helped with the Bolshevik consolidation of power as the state was able to retain ownership and control of what Lenin called ‘the commanding heights’. There is no more evident to the Bolshevik consolidation of power than the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which provided some relief to the Bolsheviks which were already fighting the Russian Civil War.
The Civil War of 1918-1921 was a significant event towards the Bolshevik consolidation of power through Toughness, Authoritarianism and Centralisation.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Despite leading to significant economic and territorial losses and political instability, ultimately the most fundamental impact of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk was that it allowed for the continued survival of the Bolshevik regime. The existential threat that the re-commencement of war with Germany represented to the Bolsheviks compelled them to accept the negative repercussions of the treaty. Indeed the Bolsheviks themselves had benefited from the provisional governments continued participation in the war, and the consequent loss of support this engendered in the population, and as such were loathe to repeat the same mistake. Furthermore the treaty represented a fulfilment of a key part of Lenin’s April Thesis “Peace, bread, land!” whilst the internationalists amongst the Bolsheviks saw the continuation of the war as the precursor to revolutionary activity in the West, particularly Germany, it was the pragmatism of Lenin that clearly saw the importance of consolidation in Russia amorally pure Marxian goals of international protection struggle and revolution.
I have done this so far.. Could someone please tell me if this is a good start and also i havnt finished the paragraphs or anything and would like if someone could help me with the civil war, NEP and Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
