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November 2, 1917 - March 3, 1918

  • The Council of People's Commissars

    The Council of People's Commissars
    Throughout November, the Council of People's Commissars, which Lenin was head of, proclaimed the right of self-determination. The Council nationalized all banks and proclaimed the workers controll of production. Industry was nationalized gradually.
  • Second Congress of Soviets

    Second Congress of Soviets
    Lenin started forming a socialist society. The congress focused on issues of peace, land, and constitution of a new government. The government created a manifesto in which in turn put armistice into effect for a minimum of 3 months.
  • The Red Army

    The Red Army
    In January, the Bolshevik regime formed the red army which was open to all class-conscious workers of 18 years of age or more. The bourgeoisie were banned from membership, but 50 thousand former tsarist officers were retrained to train the new force.
  • The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

    The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
    Russia's involvement in World War I was ended by this treaty. At this time Russia was under Bolshevik control. Russia had to give up the Baltic States, Finland, Poland, and Ukraine. Because of the loss of this territory, there was opposition towards the Bolshevik Party (Russian Communist Party). Civil War insued until late 1920.