The Russian Revolution of 1917

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TheRussian Revolution of 1917

• (The October Revolution)

2
Background

• Revolution of 1905
• Started as low-scale terrorist attacks against
  the czar
• Came to a boiling point later in the year
• Millions of citizens spontaneously rioted,
  causing military units to also rebel and force
  the czar to abdicate
• Brought Russia under control of the provisional
  government.
• Provisionals made situation worse, millions
  starved in crowded housing and brought the
  government into a staggering trillions of rupees
  in debt
• The rich just got richer under the new
  government, making them a massive point of
  resentment among the lower class

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Bolsheviks

• Leading power of 1917 revolution
• The Bolsheviks are the precursor of the modern
  communists
• Believed in an adapted version of Karl Marxs
  philosophy
• Based on collectivism and a powerful central
  government to assure complete equality
• Supported an overthrowing of the government
• Support primarily among poor inner-city factory
  workers
• Led by Vladimir Lenin

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Vladimir Lenin

• Background Small educated family in a poor town.
• Home surrounded by suffering lower class
  workers
• Brought up with a very left-upbringing
• Every family member that lived more than 16 years
  became a revolutionary
• Exiled due to political beliefs and family,
  making him more angry against the government
• Returned in 1905 but exiled by provisionals
• Returned to Russia by Germans in an attempt to
  disturb Russia and get them out of World War I in
  1917
• Major leader of the Bolsheviks.
• His appearance as their leader led to a massive
  uprising in their support
• Powerful, charismatic speaker and writer
• Used speeches and propaganda fueling resentment
  against the rich to gain support

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Overthrow of provisionals

• October 25, 1917
• Bolshevik revolution began
• Ended the same day
• Proclaimed ending came with capture of the Winter
  Palace
• Complete victory
• Revolutionists literally had no opposition
• One battalion didnt defect, but surrendered when
  saw opposition.
• Ended with no casualties
• Ended with Bolsheviks holding the capital city
  (then Petrograd)
• Had major seat of power and control in most major
  cities

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Aftermath

• Not all well for Bolsheviks
• Little support outside of cities
• Counter revolution formed by white army or the
  moderates against the Red Bolsheviks
• Counter revolution crushed in 1920
• Ended with complete Bolshevik control
• Lenin became the first Chairman of Russia
• Started many social programs that led Russia down
  the path to Communism
• Modern day
• Communist government collapsed.
• However, still major leftward leanings in Russia
• Exemplified by recent presidential elections

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Comparisons
October Revolution
French Revolution
Did not end up with Monarch again at end
Came full circle
Reign of terror
Revolt against monarch
Prior revolutions
No prior revolutions
Had more radical members that were mostly in
cities
Rebelling for stronger central government
Rebelling against strong government
Dominated by one main party
Multiple factions and ideologies
Now modern day republics
One main governmental system
Both planned to make things more equal for lower
classes
Obsession with guillotines
Resulting government lasted much longer
Many different phases and governmental systems
Backlash against religion
End up with strong central governments
Less build up, spontaneous riots, solved with
force first
Started with political debates
No casualties in actual revolution
Charismatic leader
Bloodier
No real following civil war
Followed by civil war