<–2/”>a >BACKGROUND OF Russian Revolution
By 1917, most Russians had lost faith in the Leadership ability of Czar Nicholas II. Government Corruption was rampant, the Russian economy remained backward, and Nicholas repeatedly dissolved the Duma, the Russian parliament established after the 1905 revolution, when it opposed his will. However, the immediate cause of the February Revolution–the first phase of the Russian Revolution of 1917–was Russia’s disastrous involvement in World War I (1914- 18). Militarily, imperial Russia was no match for industrialized Germany, and Russian casualties were
greater than those sustained by any nation in any previous war. Meanwhile, the economy was hopelessly disrupted by the costly war effort, and moderates joined Russian radical Elements in calling for the overthrow of the czar.
After Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolshevik forces in July 1918, the killers hid the victims’ mutilated bodies. The remains were discovered and exhumed in the late 1970s near Yekaterinburg, Russia, and eventually identified through DNA testing.
FEBRUARY REVOLUTION: 1917
The February Revolution (known as such because of Russia’s use of the Julian calendar until February 1918) began on March 8, 1917 (or February 23 on the Julian calendar), when demonstrators clamoring for bread took to the streets in the Russian capital of Petrograd (now called St. Petersburg). Supported by huge crowds of striking industrial workers, the protesters clashed with police but refused to leave the streets. On March 10, the strike spread among all of Petrograd’s workers, and irate mobs destroyed police stations. Several factories elected deputies to the Petrograd Soviet, or council, of workers’ committees, following the model devised during the 1905 revolution.
On March 11, the troops of the Petrograd army garrison were called out to quell the uprising. In some encounters, regiments opened fire, killing demonstrators, but the protesters kept to the streets and the troops began to waver. That day, Nicholas again dissolved the Duma. On March 12, the revolution triumphed when regiment after regiment of the Petrograd garrison defected to the cause of the demonstrators. The soldiers subsequently formed committees that elected deputies to the Petrograd Soviet.
The imperial government was forced to resign, and the Duma formed a provisional government that peacefully vied with the Petrograd Soviet for control of the revolution. On March 14, the Petrograd Soviet issued Order No. 1, which instructed Russian soldiers and sailors to obey only those orders that did not conflict with the directives of the Soviet. The next day, March 15, Czar Nicholas II abdicated the throne in favor of his brother Michael (1878- 1918), whose refusal of the crown brought an end to the czarist autocracy.
BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION: 1917
In the aftermath of the February Revolution, power was shared between the weak provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet. Then, on November 6 and 7, 1917 (or October 24 and 25 on the Julian calendar, which is why this event is also referred to as the October Revolution), leftist revolutionaries led by Bolshevik Party leader Vladimir Lenin launched a nearly bloodless coup d’état against the provisional government. The Bolsheviks and their allies occupied government buildings and other strategic locations in Petrograd, and soon formed a new government with Lenin as its head.
Lenin became the virtual dictator of the first Marxist state in the world. His government made peace with Germany, nationalized Industry and distributed land, but beginning in 1918 had to fight a devastating civil war against anti-Bolshevik White Army forces. In 1920, the anti- Bolsheviks were defeated, and in 1922 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was established
Impact of Russian Revolution
ÿ Russian Revolution had wider impact than on Russia. It marked a beginning of a new political system in form of Communism which had profound future impact. Czar dynasty was first to fall followed by fall of German, Austrian and Ottoman Sultans.
ÿ It was the first true revolution by masses and power was truly given in hands of masses which didn’t happen in case of merican and French Revolution.
ÿ Bolshevik-founded Comintern (an international union of pro-Bolshevik socialist parties) which sparked the ideas of communism globally.
ÿ It inspired revolutionaries in many countries including India. Bhagat Singh declared capitalism and colonialism as his biggest enemies.
ÿ It also laid suspicion in the minds of other colonial powers as they saw communism as a threat to the old order and it emerged as one of the causes of WW2. Western powers appeased aggressive nationalist and fascist forces to ward off communism in countries like Germany and Italy which finally led to disastrous effects in form of mother of all wars.
ÿ A process of centralised planning was introduced. Officials assessed how the economy could work and set targets for a five-year period. On this basis they made the Five Year Plans.
However, despite all its claims, the Socialism that was envisaged never arrived. People also suffered unforessen hardhship on the name of implementing socialist agenda. Many were sacrificed during collectivizations sprees Many others were exterminated for holding ‘anti- communist/revolution’ views The repressive machinery became even more cruel with the arrival of Stalin and Russia turned into an autocrat state. What followed was Stalin’s collectivisation programme From 1929, the Party forced all peasants to cultivate in collective farms (kolkhoz). Those who resisted collectivisation were severely punished. Many were deported and exiled and were even sent to gulags..,
The Russian Revolution was a series of two revolutions in Russia in 1917, which overthrew the imperial government and led to the creation of the Soviet Union. The first revolution, which took place in February 1917, overthrew the Tsarist government and established a provisional government. The second revolution, which took place in October 1917, overthrew the provisional government and established the Bolshevik government, led by Vladimir Lenin.
The Russian Revolution was a complex event with many causes. Some of the most important causes include:
- Economic hardship: The Russian people were suffering from economic hardship in the years leading up to the revolution. The country was in the midst of World War I, which had a devastating impact on the economy. Food and fuel shortages were common, and Inflation was rampant.
- Political repression: The Tsarist government was autocratic and repressive. The people had no say in government, and they were subject to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.
- Social inequality: Russia was a deeply unequal Society. The vast majority of the Population lived in POVERTY, while a small minority lived in luxury. This inequality was a source of great resentment among the poor.
- Nationalism: The Russian Empire was a multi-ethnic state, and there was a growing sense of nationalism among the non-Russian peoples. This nationalism was a threat to the Tsarist government, which sought to maintain its control over the empire.
The February Revolution began on March 8, 1917 (February 23 on the Julian calendar, which was in use in Russia at the time), with a series of strikes and demonstrations in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). The strikes and demonstrations were initially sparked by food shortages, but they quickly turned into a political uprising. The Tsarist government was unable to suppress the uprising, and Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 15.
A provisional government was established after the Tsar’s abdication. The provisional government was made up of liberals and socialists, and it promised to establish a democratic republic. However, the provisional government was soon faced with a number of challenges, including the ongoing war, economic problems, and the growing power of the Bolsheviks.
The Bolsheviks were a revolutionary party led by Vladimir Lenin. The Bolsheviks believed that the only way to solve Russia’s problems was to establish a socialist state. The Bolsheviks gained popularity during the war, as they promised to end the war and improve the lives of the working class.
The October Revolution began on November 7, 1917 (October 25 on the Julian calendar). The Bolsheviks seized power in Petrograd, and the provisional government was overthrown. The Bolsheviks established a new government, called the Council of People’s Commissars, with Lenin as its leader.
The Bolsheviks faced a number of challenges after the October Revolution. The most serious challenge was the Russian Civil War, which lasted from 1918 to 1920. The civil war was fought between the Bolsheviks (Reds) and the anti-Bolsheviks (Whites). The Whites were supported by the Western powers, but they were ultimately defeated by the Reds.
After the civil war, the Bolsheviks consolidated their power and established the Soviet Union in 1922. The Soviet Union was a socialist state that was ruled by the Communist Party. The Communist Party controlled all aspects of life in the Soviet Union, and it suppressed all dissent.
The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The collapse of the Soviet Union was caused by a number of factors, including economic problems, political reforms, and the Rise of Nationalism.
The Russian Revolution had a profound impact on the world. It was the first successful socialist revolution, and it inspired other revolutions around the world. The Russian Revolution also led to the creation of the Soviet Union, which was a major power in the world for nearly 70 years.
The legacy of the Russian Revolution is still debated today. Some people see the revolution as a positive event that led to the establishment of a socialist state. Others see the revolution as a negative event that led to the creation of a totalitarian state.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the Russian Revolution:
What was the Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution was a series of two revolutions in Russia in 1917, which overthrew the imperial government and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.What were the causes of the Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution was caused by a number of factors, including economic hardship, political instability, and the unpopularity of the Tsarist government.What were the events of the Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution began in February 1917, when a series of strikes and demonstrations led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The provisional government that was formed was soon overthrown by the Bolsheviks in October 1917.Who were the main leaders of the Russian Revolution?
The main leaders of the Russian Revolution were Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph Stalin.What were the consequences of the Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution had a profound impact on the course of world history. It led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, which was a major world power for over 70 years. The Revolution also inspired other revolutions around the world, including the Chinese Revolution and the Cuban Revolution.What is the legacy of the Russian Revolution?
The legacy of the Russian Revolution is still debated today. Some people see it as a positive event that led to the establishment of a socialist state that improved the lives of millions of people. Others see it as a negative event that led to the deaths of millions of people and the establishment of a totalitarian state.What are some common misconceptions about the Russian Revolution?
One common misconception about the Russian Revolution is that it was a spontaneous uprising of the working class. In reality, the Revolution was planned and executed by a small group of Bolsheviks.
Another common misconception is that the Russian Revolution was a success. In reality, the Revolution led to the establishment of a totalitarian state that was responsible for the deaths of millions of people.
What are some interesting facts about the Russian Revolution?
One interesting fact about the Russian Revolution is that it was the first time that a socialist state was established. Another interesting fact is that the Revolution was led by a small group of Bolsheviks who were able to overthrow the much larger and more powerful Tsarist government.What are some Resources for Learning more about the Russian Revolution?
There are many resources available for learning more about the Russian Revolution. Some good books on the subject include “The Russian Revolution” by Orlando Figes, “Lenin: A Biography” by Robert Service, and “Stalin: A Biography” by Robert Service. There are also many documentaries and films about the Revolution, such as “October” by Sergei Eisenstein and “The Battleship Potemkin” by Sergei Eisenstein.What are some questions that you still have about the Russian Revolution?
Some questions that I still have about the Russian Revolution include:What were the long-term consequences of the Revolution?
- How did the Revolution impact the lives of ordinary people?
- What were the different perspectives on the Revolution?
- What are the lessons that we can learn from the Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution was a series of two revolutions in Russia in 1917, which overthrew the imperial government and led to the creation of the Soviet Union. The first revolution, which took place in February 1917, was a popular uprising that forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate. The second revolution, which took place in October 1917, was led by the Bolsheviks, a communist party led by Vladimir Lenin. The Bolsheviks seized power and established a socialist state.
The Russian Revolution had a profound impact on the course of world history. It was the first successful socialist revolution, and it inspired other revolutions around the world. The Soviet Union, which was created after the revolution, was a major power for most of the 20th century. The Russian Revolution also had a significant impact on the development of communism and socialism.
Here are some MCQs about the Russian Revolution:
Which of the following was not a cause of the Russian Revolution?
(A) The poor economic conditions in Russia
(B) The unpopularity of the Tsarist government
(C) The outbreak of World War I
(D) The rise of communismWho was the leader of the Bolsheviks?
(A) Vladimir Lenin
(B) Leon Trotsky
(C) Joseph Stalin
(D) Nikita KhrushchevWhat was the name of the socialist state that was created after the Russian Revolution?
(A) The Soviet Union
(B) The Russian Federation
(C) The Russian Empire
(D) The Union of Soviet Socialist RepublicsWhich of the following was not a result of the Russian Revolution?
(A) The establishment of a socialist state
(B) The rise of communism
(C) The outbreak of World War II
(D) The collapse of the Soviet UnionThe Russian Revolution was a major turning point in world history. It was the first successful socialist revolution, and it inspired other revolutions around the world. The Soviet Union, which was created after the revolution, was a major power for most of the 20th century. The Russian Revolution also had a significant impact on the development of communism and socialism.
Which of the following statements is true about the Russian Revolution?
(A) It was a popular uprising that forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate.
(B) It was led by the Bolsheviks, a communist party led by Vladimir Lenin.
(C) It resulted in the establishment of the Soviet Union.
(D) All of the above.