RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (1917)

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (1917)

The Russian Revolution took place in 1917 when the peasants and working-class people of Russia revolted against the government of Tsar Nicholas II. They were led by Vladimir Lenin and a group of revolutionaries called the Bolsheviks. The new communist government created the country of the Soviet Union.

Reasons/Causes of the Russian Revolution (1917)

1. Political:

• Autocratic Monarchy: Russia’s autocracy under the Tsar allowed one individual, Nicholas II, to hold absolute power, causing widespread suffering and dissatisfaction among the people.
• Poor Leadership: Tsar Nicholas II’s weak and outdated leadership clung to autocratic rule despite changing times, which only increased oppression and maintained feudalism.
• World War I: The First World War devastated the Russian economy and weakened the morale of the population, who blamed the Tsar for poor management and failures in the war.
• Russian Defeat by Japan: Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1905) shook public confidence in the monarchy and intensified unrest.
• German Factor: Tsar Nicholas II left control of Russia to his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, during the war. Her German origins caused suspicions about her loyalties.
• Rise of Marxism: Marxism had gained popularity as a revolutionary ideology among Russian workers and peasants, opposing the autocratic monarchy and advocating for the rights of the oppressed.

2. Economic:

• Bastard Feudalism: Although serfdom was abolished in 1861, peasants still faced harsh conditions under royally appointed landowners, continuing a system of exploitation.
• Fiscal Crisis: The Russian state was financially bankrupt due to excessive spending by the Tsar on wars and maintaining a large, ineffective bureaucracy, alongside unjust taxation policies.
• Food Shortage: The underdeveloped railway system worsened food shortages, leading to rising prices. Many workers abandoned the cities to find food.
• Poor Worker Rights: Workers lived and worked in terrible conditions without political representation or the right to form trade unions, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

3. Social:

• Nordinkin Movement: This movement aimed to raise revolutionary awareness among the masses and encourage rebellion against the monarchy.
• Intellectual Movement: Intellectuals played a key role in spreading revolutionary ideas among the population, raising awareness of the plight of workers and peasants.
  • Maksim Gorky: In his novel “Mother,” Gorky highlighted the miserable conditions of Russian laborers, adding to revolutionary sentiment.
  • Leo Tolstoy and Lenin: Both contributed significantly to the intellectual revolutionary movement.
• Role of Nihilism: Nihilism, which rejected traditional values and institutions, also contributed to awakening the Russian people to revolutionary ideas.

Social Causes of the Russian Revolution

1. Class Oppression:nThe lower classes had been oppressed for centuries by the Tsarist regime, and this exploitation deepened during World War I.
2. Urbanization: Rapid industrialization led to urban overcrowding and poor living conditions for industrial workers, further aggravating social tensions.
3. Compulsory Military Service: Conscription during World War I forced many skilled workers to join the army, leaving the cities with unskilled laborers, worsening economic and social conditions.

Phases of the Russian Revolution

1st Phase: Emergence of Soviets

• Awakened Classes: After Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, protests led to the establishment of the Duma (Russian Parliament), though it lacked real power.
• Neglect: The Tsar neglected the demands of the Duma, and conflicts continued.
• World War I: Food shortages during the war intensified protests, and the Tsar tried to suppress them with military force, but the Army sided with the public.
• Birth of the Soviet: In 1917, the Army’s support for the people shifted power to the Soviets (worker councils), signaling the collapse of the monarchy.

2nd Phase: Emergence of Provisional Government

• Provisional Government: Formed by the Duma, but it struggled as the Soviet workers lacked political skills. It couldn’t address the people’s needs.
• Failure and Rise of Lenin: The provisional government failed to resolve the crisis, caught between supporting the working class (Soviets) and the capitalist class. This failure set the stage for Lenin’s rise.

3rd Phase: Emergence of Lenin

• Lenin’s Return from Exile: Recognizing the weaknesses of the provisional government, Lenin returned to Russia and introduced several proposals, including:
  • Immediate end of the war (World War I).
  • Regulation of industries by the working class.
  • Control of production and distribution by the state.
  • Establishing a Soviet state.

4th Phase: November Revolution of 1917

• Lenin’s Slogan: He championed peace, prosperity, and development, calling for the overthrow of the provisional government.
• Result: Lenin seized political and administrative control of Russia in the November Revolution of 1917, establishing a new Bolshevik-led government.

Outcomes and Consequences of the Russian Revolution (1917)

1. Political:

• First Real Revolution: The Russian Revolution marked the first major revolution where power shifted into the hands of the working class, breaking away from traditional monarchies and aristocracies.
• Era of Communism: The birth of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) ushered in the age of socialism and communism, influencing many nations to adopt similar ideologies and sparking the rise of communist political parties and worker movements globally.
• Threat to Capitalism: The capitalist West perceived communism as a major threat, particularly because it spread to colonial nations like India (with examples like Bhagat Singh), where socialist ideas began to gain influence.
• Rise of Fascism: The spread of communism also contributed to the rise of fascist regimes in Germany and Italy, which opposed communism, leading to the events that triggered World War II.

2. Economic:

• Russian Industrialization: The revolution and the subsequent establishment of a centralized economy enabled Russia to rapidly industrialize. Within a decade, 25-30% of the labor force transitioned from agriculture to industrial jobs, marking a major transformation.
• Reduced Poverty: After the formation of the USSR, poverty rates in Russia decreased, and the general quality of life for the population improved as the state focused on economic equality.

3. Social:

• Poor Human Rights: Despite the positive changes in industrialization and poverty reduction, human rights were not recognized in the USSR until the 1970s. The regime was oppressive, particularly toward dissenters and those who criticized the government.
• Propaganda: The Soviet regime relied heavily on propaganda to maintain its legitimacy and justify its rule. This propaganda machine was based on communist ideology and was openly hostile toward the West, playing a key role in shaping public opinion.

Conclusion

The Russian Revolution was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. It not only shaped the future of Russia but also influenced global politics, particularly by leading to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. The revolution fundamentally altered the course of world history and modern ideologies, leaving a lasting impact on both communism and global relations.