Rise of Communism in Russia (1917-39) — Practice Quiz

Peace, Land and Bread

Step 1: Lenin understood the three biggest problems facing Russians at that time. Step 2: 'Peace' meant withdrawing Russia from the First World War, which soldiers and common people desperately wanted. Step 3: 'Land' was promised to the peasants who had been suffering under exploitative landlords for generations. Step 4: 'Bread' addressed the severe food shortage faced by urban workers and the middle class. Step 5: This three-point slogan was extremely powerful and helped the Bolsheviks gain massive popular support, unlike the other options which were not the actual slogans used.

Cheka

Step 1: After the Bolshevik Revolution, Lenin needed to suppress counter-revolutionary forces. Step 2: Stalin was given the responsibility of building the secret police, which was called the 'Cheka'. Step 3: The Cheka was used to identify and eliminate enemies of the Bolshevik government. Step 4: Gosplan refers to the Five Year Plans for economic development. Step 5: Kolkhoj was the collective farming organisation, and Pravda was the famous Communist Party newspaper — none of these were the secret police.

New Economic Policy

Step 1: After the harsh period of 'war communism', there was significant unrest in Russia. Step 2: Lenin introduced a more moderate economic policy called the New Economic Policy (N.E.P.). Step 3: Under NEP, small private properties and small industries were returned to their owners, while large industries remained under state control. Step 4: This created a 'Mixed Economy' where both private and state sectors coexisted. Step 5: The other options are all incorrect expansions of the abbreviation N.E.P. and do not correspond to any actual policy.

Trotsky

Step 1: After the Bolshevik Revolution, Lenin needed a strong military force to fight both external enemies and internal counter-revolutionaries. Step 2: Trotsky was entrusted with the task of building and organising the Red Army. Step 3: The Red Army was crucial in suppressing counter-revolutionary elements and securing Bolshevik power. Step 4: Lenin was the political leader, Stalin handled the secret police (Cheka), not the army. Step 5: Kerensky was the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government and was an opponent of the Bolsheviks.