Lenins Consolidation of Power
Lenin
Lenin and his principals are the subject of a huge historiographical debate. The controversy surrounding Lenin's pragmatism in the face of social, political and economic instability begs the question: did Lenin compromise his principals in the race for survival? It is astonishing that surrounded by the turmoil that was Russia in the early 20th century Lenin actually survived for so long. During the years of 1917-18 he encountered food shortages, war and a vast amount of strikes. In 1921 he had to deal with civil war and a collapsing economy. Thus Lenin's primary task was survival which he accomplished. However one must question his method and in his quest for survival did he abandon his principals? To realise weather or not Lenin did actually abandon his principals we must first decide what those principals were. One of Lenin's most important principals was the idea of vanguardism the elite. This was seen essential for the construction of the intelligentsia who could run the country in the name of the proletariat. Conformity through democratic centralism was also a key aspect. Lenin ensured a one party state. This would ensure the "dictatorship of the proletariat". Lenin saw himself not simply as representing the Russian worker
Economic Policy. This was a dramatic change with some aspects of capitalism. They were: Å small factories were given back to private ownership Å Peasants were allowed to sell their grain and other food on the open market Some communists were angry because they thought it was a retreat for the communist revolution. But, the Russian economy revived quite rapidly and steadily. Communists tried to bring equality for women but met lots of resistance. The church was attacked, many Russians chose not to have a church wedding. Divorce was made easier. A mass literacy campaign began. Peasants children could go to university for free. Most people remained unsure of communism but were won over by Lenin and became devoted party activists.
Lenin and his principals are the subject of a huge historiographical debate. The controversy surrounding Lenin's pragmatism in the face of social, political and economic instability begs the question: did Lenin compromise his principals in the race for survival? It is astonishing that surrounded by the turmoil that was Russia in the early 20th century Lenin actually survived for so long. During the years of 1917-18 he encountered food shortages, war and a vast amount of strikes. In 1921 he had to deal with civil war and a collapsing economy. Thus Lenin's primary task was survival which he accomplished. However one must question his method and in his quest for survival did he abandon his principals? To realise weather or not Lenin did actually abandon his principals we must first decide what those principals were. One of Lenin's most important principals was the idea of vanguardism the elite. This was seen essential for the construction of the intelligentsia who could run the country in the name of the proletariat. Conformity through democratic centralism was also a key aspect. Lenin ensured a one party state. This would ensure the "dictatorship of the proletariat". Lenin saw himself not simply as representing the Russian worker
Economic Policy. This was a dramatic change with some aspects of capitalism. They were: Å small factories were given back to private ownership Å Peasants were allowed to sell their grain and other food on the open market Some communists were angry because they thought it was a retreat for the communist revolution. But, the Russian economy revived quite rapidly and steadily. Communists tried to bring equality for women but met lots of resistance. The church was attacked, many Russians chose not to have a church wedding. Divorce was made easier. A mass literacy campaign began. Peasants children could go to university for free. Most people remained unsure of communism but were won over by Lenin and became devoted party activists.