Soviet Russia: the years of the 1920s

In 1917-1918, there were many major changes on the world political map. Abdication of the throne of Nicholas II and the October Revolution that followed several months later led to the disintegration of the Russian Empire and the formation of national states on its ruins. Also at this time, Austria-Hungary divided. The First World War had such disastrous results that the disintegration of large multinational states is the easiest of its consequences.

Soviet Russia: years of existence

Periodization of the historical stages of the development of territories that were formed after the collapse of the Russian Empire, has always been controversial. For example, let's take the famous term "Soviet Russia". The years of existence of such a state or territorial-geographical association separate groups of historians distinguish differently.

Some believe that a state called Soviet Russia existed from October 1917 to December 1922. What is their argument? Until October 1917, the Provisional Government was operating in the country, then a revolution occurred and the Bolsheviks came to power. The five-year period until 1922 is the time of the formation of a new large state. On December 30, 1922, the existence of the USSR was legally formalized through the adoption of the Constitution.

The second group of historians expresses the view that Russia in the years of Soviet power is a concept that covers the entire historical period from the time of the Revolution to the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Why? It is believed that Soviet Russia, the years of existence of which still cause controversy among historians, is the same monarchy that gathered around itself ethnically alien territories.

The political situation in Russia in the period from 1917 to 1922

This time can be called one of the most vague in the history of the East Slavic region. Politically, there is complete uncertainty, because all these years the civil war continued. Supporters of different political ideas participated in the confrontation: supporters of various political ideas: the Reds (the Communists, the proletarian movement, the army division of the Red Army), the White Guards (supporters of the monarchical reaction, the army of General Denikin and other commanders), the Anarchists (the movement of Nestor Makhno). Of course, the Makhnovists fought more in the territory of present-day Ukraine, but the influence of their ideas extended to Russia itself. Political confrontation was accompanied by serious military clashes that destroyed human resources and destroyed the economy of the state.

Soviet Russia in the 1920s: the economic situation

The development of the economy, or rather, its complete absence, was directly related to the war period. After the collapse of the monarchy and the subsequent war, many enterprises were destroyed. In addition, since 1919 the members of the CPSU have implemented the policy of war communism and the surplus-appropriation. What did this mean? Complete liquidation of commodity-money relations, nationalization of industrial objects, expropriation of grain stocks from peasants were carried out. For the failure of grain to the village could introduce parts of the regular army. It is clear, than it threatened civilians ...

USSR as a state entity

Soviet Russia - what years? Historians did not come to a common opinion on this issue, but it could be called a developing state only after the formation of the USSR. Then the first five-year plans were held , a new economic policy was introduced. Of course, we can not say that the well-being of the population has increased significantly, but the main thing is that the war has ended, and stability has finally set in.

The USSR was formed as an allied power. Between the founding states of the Union, a treaty was signed with the participation of the RSFSR, Ukraine, Belarus and the Transcaucasian Socialist Republic. In the state administration, the principle of connection of power visually was realized (the absence of its division into legislative and executive).

The authorities of Soviet Russia

In the early years of Soviet power, an entirely new type of government was being formed. The main collegial institutions were the Soviets, which existed both in the center and in the localities. The composition of the Soviets included representatives of large public organizations - trade unions, factory committees. The main thing in the hierarchy of government was the All-Russian Congress of Soviets. Of course, he did not work all the time. At a time when there were no congresses, its functions were entrusted to the All-Russia Central Executive Committee. The Council of People's Commissars (government) became the personification of such power with the right of legislative initiative.

After 1922, gradual changes take place in the system of power, because the party organs come first. Although officially Soviet Russia, the heyday of which was still ahead, remained the country of the Soviets, but in fact, at the head of all political and public life in this period is the CPSU (b).

The foreign policy of Soviet Russia in the 1920s

The Bolsheviks regarded the main task on the international scene as the export of the socialist revolution throughout the world. In this field in 1918 it was possible to achieve certain successes (the revolution in Germany).

In the first years of Soviet Russia's existence, three directions of foreign policy can be distinguished:

• The signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk;
• The struggle against armed intervention in the territory of the country of Germany and the Entente representatives;
• The Treaty of Rapappo in 1924.

Conclusion

The end of the 1910s-1920s were very difficult for the state. It was necessary to overcome the post-war devastation and begin the construction of a socially new society. But even this can not serve as an excuse for those excesses that were committed by the government in the period from 1918 to 1921 (military communism and requisitioning). With the final design of the new union state in 1922, life began to gradually improve, which led to some easing of pressure on the population.