Repression in Russian Leadership

Repression in Russian Leadership

Repression was used under both Nicholas 2 and the Bolsheviks to

control the Russian population. The liberal methods employed preceding

both governments (Alexander 2 and the Provisional Government

respectively) failed completely and discouraged any other form of

liberal or democratic controls. The strict extremist ideologies of

both the Tsarist and Bolshevik regimes also necessitated violent

repression to ensure total compliance. This was needed due to the

major political upheavals taking place - the decline of Tsarism

despite Nicholas' determination to continue his autocratic rule and

the rise of Bolshevism to replace it meant that both parties needed to

take a very harsh line. This was exacerbated by the fact that neither

party came to power with the 'legitimate vote' of the public and so

faced strong opposition that they wished to eliminate. Conflict, in

the form of Civil War and the Great War, was an apparent complication

in both regimes. This caused additional economic disarray and social

disruption, hindering the plans of the 2 major governments of this

era. Consequently this encouraged the use of repression in an attempt

to resurrect the country and increase their power. Further

difficulties during this period were caused by Russia's long term long

problems, particularly the vast land area and a high percentage of

distinct ethnic minorities causing a lack of cohesion and sense of

national identity. Bad communications and retardation of

industrialisation meant poor social conditions which led to vocal

rebellious groups requiring violent put downs i.e. repression. Russia,

at this time, appeared...

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...e ideologies of the government. Repression was imperative for both

governments; the Tsarist to cling to power and the Communists to

snatch it from them. Both had many unpopular economic, political and

social reforms to pass. War highlighted the problems of the country

and the presence of strong opposition against both governments. In the

view of both it increased the need for repression to realign the

economic and social structure. Under both regimes the cause and the

effect of repression was the same; it resulted in the death or

displacement of many. Unfortunately, it was just a prelude to the

terror that was to be experienced during the 'High-Stalinism' of the

1930's. During this decade, 7 million died, mostly after being sent to

a labour camp for failing to conform to the Communist ideal of

'collectivisation'.