The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution was a significant historical event that took place from 1917 to 1923. This revolution was a period of widespread political, economic and social upheaval, which resulted in the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union and Communist rule in Russia. During this time period, Russia underwent a period of drastic social, political and economic change, transforming Russia from an agrarian and feudal monarchy to a socialist state.
The Russian Revolution has left a significant lasting impact on Russian and world history, from the establishment of the Soviet Union to the emergence of the Cold War and its aftermath. This article will explore some of the key aspects of the Russian Revolution, shedding some light on its causes, effects and major aspects.
Background To The Revolution
Prior to the Revolution, Russia had been an absolute monarchy and autocracy since the rule of Tsarina Catherine the Great in the late 1700s. This changed with Tsar Nicholas II, who was more authoritarian with his rule, leading to a native upsurge in resistance. Political unrest began to spread across the country in the form of organized protests and rioting, particularly over the Tsar’s involvement in the First World War, which was immensely unpopular due to the cost in terms of soldiers and resources lost in combat.
The Tsar’s attempted to implement limited reforms in the face of this unrest, but these failed to appease public anger and lead to further unrest. The worsening economic situation as a result of the war, and the food shortages, created further anger amongst the population.
Key Players In The Revolution
The key players in the Revolution included the Bolsheviks, a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, who wanted to create a socialist government in Russia and sought to create a revolution. The Bolshevik movement had been growing in strength since 1902, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, a Marxist revolutionary and leader of the post-revolutionary government.
Other players in the revolution included the Mensheviks, a group of Social Democrats who favoured a more gradual approach to revolution, rather than Lenin’s concept of violent overthrow of the Tsar. Other groups included the Socialist Revolutionaries, a party formed in 1901, which sought radical land reform, and a greater democracy.
The Revolutionary Movement
In February 1917, the fall of the Tsar finally came about with a general strike in Petrograd, which spread across the country and eventually led to the dissolution of the Duma and abandonment of the Tsar by his army. These events saw the formation of a provisional government, led by Alexander Kerensky, and the growth of Bolshevik power in Russia.
The Bolsheviks used a combination of strikes, mass rallies and propaganda to consolidate their power in Russia. In October they led a successful uprising that overthrew Kerensky’s government, setting up the Bolsheviks as the new ruling party in Russia. Lenin’s violent revolution was now complete, and with it the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Soviet Political System
The Revolution brought with it an altered political system, with the Soviet Union established in 1922 and incorporating the newly established Communist government. Lenin was the undisputed leader of this new Soviet Union and was able to implement massive governmental reforms, including the New Economic Plan and the vast nationalization of public and private property.
Lenin also established the new Soviet constitution, which incorporated Communist policies such as the suppression of political opposition and censorship of all media. The Soviet Union was marked by authoritarian control of all civil, political and economic life.
Social And Economic Changes
The social and economic changes brought about by the Revolution are some of the most long lasting. The Revolution brought with it a massive shift in the peasantry, with some land being distributed to those who actually farmed it, whilst the majority was seized by the state and used to fund public works projects and the establishment of collective farms.
The Bolsheviks were also able to establish a radical new economic system, which focused on the nationalization of industry and instituting a state-controlled economic policy. Wages were held at a uniform level, and through the efforts of the five-year plan, the Soviet Union was able to pull itself out of near economic ruin and put the country back on the road to recovery.
Mark On World History
The Revolution and the events that followed had a significant mark on world history, leading to the formation of the Soviet Union and the era known as the Cold War. This conflict between East and West, specifically between the US and the Soviet Union, saw the emergence of nuclear weapons, and the establishment of the bipolar world political system.
The Revolution and its impact also shaped world politics, as the Soviet Union acted as a political counterweight to Western Europe and the United States, and provided a means of support for other Communist states, such as China and Cuba.
The Russian Revolution brought with it a wide range of political, social and economic changes, which changed the face of Russia and the world, and had massive long-lasting implications for world affairs. From the fall of the Tsar, the Soviet Union’s establishment, and the onset of the Cold War, the revolution has left a lasting mark on world history, and the effects of its changes are still felt today.
