What was Sovnarkom?

Sovnarkom, short for the Council of People's Commissars, was the executive government authority in Soviet Russia that emerged following the October Revolution in 1917. This body was dominated by the Bolshevik party and functioned as the highest authority in the new Soviet state, effectively acting as the government responsible for implementing the policies and visions of Lenin and the Bolsheviks. It included key figures such as Lenin himself, who served as the Chairman, and other prominent Bolsheviks who held various commissarial roles.

The importance of Sovnarkom lies not only in its function as the main executive authority but also in its role as a symbol of Bolshevik power and control over the newly established Soviet Union. It facilitated the transition from a provisional government toward a Soviet government, thereby redefining governance in Russia in the wake of the revolution. Understanding Sovnarkom is crucial to grasp how the Bolsheviks consolidated power and implemented their revolutionary agenda during a period marked by significant social and political upheaval.