How did the Bolsheviks consolidate power?
… were slowly achieving supremacy.” (Thomas et al) The Bolsheviks encouraged the destruction of the traditional elements of the Tsarist regime instigating chaos. It was a deliberate tactic of buying time to establish Bolshevik structures. Lenin’s was able to transfer criticism to the state’ maintaining the heroic image of the Bolsheviks. Action had to be swift and uncompromising to consolidate power. In the first hours of the Bolshevik coup three decrees were passed immediately. Firstly the Decree on Land confiscated all private land and placed it in the hands of the peasants. The second decree was the Peace Decree to end the war against Germany without indemnities. The third decree organized the new government. At the top was SOVNARKOM at its head was Lenin as Chairman. Other decrees were passed which indicated the promised socialist utopia, like a declaration of the equality of all people. In truth they were only introduced to …
