Decree on Peace, 1917

What was the Decree on Peace?

The Decree on Peace demanded immediate peace negotiations between all countries fighting in the First World War. It stated that Russia wanted an immediate ceasefire and to start peace talks with Germany.

When was the Decree on Peace passed?

The Decree on Peace was passed in October 1917.

Who passed the Decree on Peace?

The Bolsheviks passed the Decree on Peace.

Why was the Decree on Peace issued?

There were 2 main reasons why the Decree on Peace was passed:

• ❖ Lenin hoped communist revolutions would occur across Europe. Therefore, Germany would either be willing to negotiate a fair peace in which Russia would not lose any land nor have to pay reparations, or collapse and the negotiations would be abandoned.
• ❖ Lenin needed to pull out of the First World War so the Bolsheviks could concentrate on gaining control of Russia.

What was the impact of the Decree on Peace?

There were 3 main effects of the Decree on Peace:

• ❖ The Decree on Peace led to the Bolsheviks negotiating the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, which was signed on 3rd March, 1918.
• ❖ The Treaty involved making huge concessions to the Germans, giving them large areas of land and promising to pay them reparations.
• ❖ The Treaty was so hated it became one of the causes of the Russian Civil War.