Did Lenin abandon ideology in order to gain and consolidate power?

Answer 1

Lenin came to power by being a firm believer of the socialist beliefs. He told the Russian people he could give them the socialist and communist utopia. He believed in the economic and social ideologies of socialism. He promised the people "Peace, Bread, Land". If there was somebody who intended to make Russia socialist and communist, Lenin was that person.

Under the ideology of socialism there is common ownership of land. Thus Lenin gave the people the promised land. Shortly after he took power he reformed the land decree and land reform. At this point Lenin wasn't abandoning the beliefs and ideologies of socialism. By pleasing the people shortly after he took power he was gaining support. He made sure they will have a good idea of him and this will give him more power.

Under socialist ideology there should be a freedom of press and speech. The people should be free. Lenin had this ideology at first as well. Shortly after he took power though he banned the print of other parties and the newspapers became censored. He made the Bolshevik paper Pravda the main newspaper in Petrograd. By banning the other parties from expressing their views and beliefs he secured the power in his own hands and in the hands of his party. With no opposition to disrupt the Bolshevik power, Lenin could only gain power.

"All power to the soviets" was one of the ideology's Lenin had in the time of the revolution, yet shortly after the Bolsheviks took power the Soviets didn't have "all power". The Bolshevik party and Lenin controlled most of the country's affairs and relations. What Lenin had ideologically promised the Russian people in the time of the revolution wasn't what he was giving the now. Why did Lenin do this? The answer is obvious. Lenin couldn't risk giving all power to the soviets and the people. The soviets at that point in time were so large that if they did have the power could easily have the ability to overthrow Bolshevik power and all the idea of the revolution and socialism. The majority in the soviets was not even Bolshevik party members and thus giving the "all power" would be like handing over all power to another party.

The ideology of socialism believes in the utopia and the perfect society. Previously in the time of the Tsar the people wanted to get rid of the law of execution without trial. Lenin promised and believed that should be changed. Every arrest and execution should go with a legit trial. This ideology wasn't fulfilled. The secret police in the time of Lenin, the Cheka had the right to execute arrest and even torture without trial. This meant that Lenin could have a good grip on those who opposed him. This also lead to the fear factor which in a way kept the everyday people and society on their toes and made them unthreatening to Lenin's power.

In the time of the Russian civil war, and Lenin's early days as ruler. Russia had the economic policy of War Communism. This policy was ideology correct according to the ideas and beliefs of communism and socialism. This policy however wasn't successful, it lead to famine and wasn't improving Russia's economy or living standard.