Key topic 2: The Bolsheviks in power, 1917–24 - 1 Early consolidation of…

The idea

To secure their fragile grip on power, the Bolsheviks systematically removed political and royal opposition. Elections for the Constituent Assembly in November 1917 resulted in a majority for the Socialist Revolutionaries. When the Assembly met in January 1918, Lenin forcibly dissolved it after one day using Red Guards, claiming it did not represent the workers. This removal of democratic opposition sparked outrage. Furthermore, to prevent the deposed royal family from becoming a rallying point for the anti-Bolshevik White armies, Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Cheka in Yekaterinburg in July 1918. These actions demonstrated the Bolsheviks' willingness to use extreme violence to eliminate threats to their authority.

What earns the marks

• Explain the results of the Constituent Assembly elections and why they posed a threat to Bolshevik power.
• Describe the methods used by Lenin to dissolve the Constituent Assembly in January 1918.
• Identify the reasons for the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family in July 1918.
• Analyse how the removal of the Constituent Assembly and the Tsar contributed to the outbreak and dynamics of the Russian Civil War.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that the Bolsheviks won the Constituent Assembly elections.

  Put it right: Clarify that the Socialist Revolutionaries won the majority of seats, which is why Lenin dissolved the Assembly.

• Claiming the Tsar was executed immediately after the October Revolution.

  Put it right: Note that the execution took place in July 1918, several months later, in response to the advancing White armies.

• Confusing the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly with the banning of other political parties.

  Put it right: Distinguish between the specific event of closing the Assembly in January 1918 and the broader, gradual process of outlawing opposition parties.

Exam tips

• Use the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly as a key example of Lenin prioritising Bolshevik control over democratic processes.
• When discussing the Tsar's execution, link it directly to the context of the Civil War and the threat posed by the White armies.
• Consider how these actions alienated other socialist groups and contributed to the formation of armed opposition against the Bolsheviks.