The Russian Revolution

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The Russian Revolution

• 1917

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Pre- Revolutionary Russia

• Before 1905, Russia was the last autocracy
  (absolutist form of monarchy)
• Meaning, there was no parliament, the Czar (or
  Tsar) Ruled
• Czar Nicholas was in power (Romanov empire)
• This begins to change in 1905

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Revolution of 1905

• Starts due to strikes/riots over Russo-Japanese
  war, especially in St. Petersburg
• Nicholas II issues October Manifesto to end
  revolution, and promises the creation of a DUMA
  (parliament)
• October Manifesto was successful because Czar got
  the middle class on his side, Revolution is over
• After revolution, Czar back tracks on his
  promises
• Creates a Duma, but not as powerful as he promised

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4. Development of Parties

• Because now there is parliaments and elections,
  parties are created
• KADETS, SOCIAL REVOLUTIONISTS
• Social Democrats, or Marxists, support came from
  Urban working class, but in 1903 split into 2
  groups, Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
• Bolsheviks (majority) small elite party, truer
  to Marxist roots want complete working class
  revolution.

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February Revolution, 1917

• Actually happened in March, but Russian calendar
  is about 2 weeks behind
• By Feb. 1917, Russia was experiencing weariness
  in war
• huge casualties
• tremendous food shortages at home
• harsh winters
• anger at profiteering
• Czar is at the front, blamed for defeats, plus
  Czars wife is German
• These above issues cause Russia to explode into a
  Revolution
• Revolution was Unplanned, Unorganized, Leaderless
  ? starts as a street demonstration over bread
• Ends with the abdication of the Czar and end of
  Romanov dynasty

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Provisional Government, Feb. Oct. 1917

• Enacts some sweeping reforms
• 1. Universal Suffrage
• 2. Civil Equality, Civil Rights
• 3. 8 hour workday
• 4. Redistribution of Land
• 5. Call for creation of a Constitution
• Provisional Gov looks to make great reforms, but
  Totally out of touch with peasants and the real
  Russian situation. Refused to end WWI for
  Russia!
• Face 2 great challenges

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October Revolution, 1917

• Bolsheviks seize positions in Gov. Buildings and
  Communication Centers, take over and kick out
  Provisional Gov.
• Less bloodshed than February Revolution
• Less of a Revolution, more of a Coup
• Lenin institutes Leninism-often titled
  Communism but it is not even close to
  theoretical communism.

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What did the Bolsheviks do first?

• Lenins slogan Peace Land and Bread
• Did not want to make the same mistakes as the
  Provisional Gov.
• 1. Decree on Land all land nationalized and
  turned over to Bolsheviks for re-distribution
• 2. Decree on Peace made a pact with Germany to
  pull Russia out of the war
• 3. Council of Peoples Commissars basically a
  group that becomes like a dictator, no elections
  for constitutional assembly.

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Outbreak of Civil War in 1919

• White Army vs. Red Army
• White Army remains loyal to the Romanovs or the
  Provisional Gov., US came to aid the White army
  for 2 reasons
• Anti-communists
• Want Russia to repay war debts, which Bolsheviks
  would not do
• Red Army - Bolsheviks, attacked those who are
  loyal to Czar
• How did the Red Army win?
• Bolsheviks held central Russia, good
  supplies/communication
• White Armies were uncoordinated, did not
  cooperate with one another, unpopular with the
  peasants
• Red army was well lead by Trotsky
• Western allied forces had little stomach for
  intervention by 1919

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Result of the Russian Revolution

• Lenin starts Anti-West phenomenon
• Refuses to pay any loans back to West incurred by
  Nicholas II
• Executed Czar and his family on June16, 1918
• Thousands of people tortured and killed during
  the civil war.
• Lenin establishes the Cheka after Red victory
  in Civil War and alters Russian History forever
  with the use of Terror as an acceptable political
  means.

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