Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution is the collective term for a pair of revolutions in Russia in
1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the eventual rise of
the Soviet Union. At first there was a February revolution which led to the abdication
of tsar Nicholas II and fall of Russian empire.The old regime was replaced by a
provisional government by the members of Duma (parliament).Then there was
another revolution by the Bolsheviks in October called October revolution

Political situation in RussiaBy early 20th century most of the European ctries were either republic like
france or constitutional monarchy like Britain. The rule of the old feudal
aristocracies has been replaced by that of a more democratic and liberal
middle class.But rusia was stiil ander an autocratic rule of absolute
monarch(Tsar) whose authority was not subject to any
parliament.Nicholas II(of Romonov dynasty) was a very conservative ruler
who believe in his divine rights to be king and believed that Russian
people were devoted to him. But in reality only nobility and upper layers of
clergy supported Tsar. His attitude prevented him from allowing
democratic institutes to work properly.His vast empire consisted of many
nationalities and cultures. He tried to impose Russian language and
culture among non Russian parts of his empire which caused great
dissatisfaction among them. Nicholas II was completely dominated by his wife.
She, in turn, was ruled by a friend named Rasputin who virtually ran the government.
Corruption in the state resulted in great suffering among the people

Growing socialism in EuropeThere was rise and growth of socialist movement throughout Europe in 19th
century.By early twentieth century there was socialist organisations in almost all parts
of Europe including Russia. But with 1st ww1 socialist movement in most countries
suffered a setback and the Second International was also split on the issue whether
the socialists should support their nation in war or not.
Growth of revolutionary movement in RussiaAs a part of this growing socialist movements in Europe many socialist revolutionary
movement also grew in Russia. When the workers organizations were set up after
industrialization began, they were dominated by ideas of socialism. In 1883, the
Russian Social Democratic Party was formed by George Plekhanov, a Marxist.
This party along with many other socialist groups was united into the Russian Social
Democratic Labour Party in 1898. It was an illegal organisation. This party along with
many other socialist groups was united into the Russian Social Democratic Labour
Party in 1898. However, the party was soon split over questions of organization and
policy. One group which was in a minority (hence known as the Mensheviks)
favoured a party of the type that existed in countries like France and Germany and
participated in elections to the parliaments of their countries. The majority, known as

the Bolsheviks(leader Vladmir Lenin) , were convinced that in a country where no

democratic rights existed and where there was no parliament, a party organized on
parliamentary lines would not be effective. They favoured a party of those who would
abide by the discipline of the party and work for revolution.Both these parties
considered industrial workers as main revolutionary population.
Some Russian socialist considered that peasants should be the main force of
revolution as majority of population(85%) was involved in agriculture and their
costume of dividing land among themselves periodically made them natural
socialists. They formed Socialist Revolutionary Party(1900).
The bloddy Sunday event has further strengthened the revolutionary movements in
Russia.

Economic and social changes

Vast majority (85%) of Russians were agriculturists.This was higher than other
European countries(40% to 50%).
Serfdom was abolished in 1862 but till conditions didnt improve as farming methods
were insufficient to feed the growing population.
Industrialisation began very late in Russia in 2nd half of 19th century. Their growth was
fairly good but most of the capital was foreign and private investment. These foreign
capitalist were interested in quick profit and the Russian capitalist also tried to
compete with them . Both tried to maximize profit ignoring the workers.
The rapid industrialization of Russia also resulted in urban overcrowding and poor
conditions and low wages for urban industrial workers.
The workers had no political rights. Women made 31% of workforce but their wages
were low compared to their male counterparts.

Impact of 1905 revolution

It began on 9th January 1905 when a peaceful procession of workers lead by priest
father Gapon marching towards winter palace(at St. Petersburg) were shot by troops
in which over 100 workers were killed.This event is known as Bloody Sunday and it
was followed by widespread strike by workers and boycott by students, lawyers and
various other sections of society. Even sections of the army and the navy revolted.
This procession was in support of striking workers who were demanding higher
wages and better working conditions and reduction in working hours.
Reasons for revolution- Defeat of Russia in Russia-Japanese war(for Manchuria and
Korea) which demoralized the people and caused increase in price of goods to meet
war expenses. People wanted more freedom and political rights which were almost
absent in tsar rule
Reason for survival of Tsar- his opponents were not unuted,there was no central
leadership, army was mostly loyal to him and he compromised by issuing October
manifesto.
Following the Revolution of 1905, the Tsar made last effort attempts to keep his
regime from being toppled, he released an October manifesto which granted civil
liberty and allowed the creation of a consultative elected parliament (duma).
Russian constitution of 1906 was enacted at the first session of duma.
The new constitution provided for a bicameral Russian parliament, without whose
approval no laws were to be enacted in Russia. This legislature was composed of an

upper house, (State Council), and a lower house, (State Duma). Members of the
upper house were half appointed by the Tsar, with the other half being elected by
various governmental, clerical and commercial interests. Members of the lower
house were to be chosen by various classes of the Russian people, through a
complex scheme of indirect elections in which propertied sections had the votes.
Ministers could not be appointed by, and were not responsible to, the Duma, thus
denying responsible government at the executive level The Tsar retained an
absolute veto over legislation, as well as the right to dismiss the Duma at any time.
Tsar changed the voting laws and packed 3rd duma with propertied and conservative
politicians. So in practice, the Government of Russia continued to be a non-official
Absolute Monarchy

World war 1

Initially the war was popular and people rallied around tsar. But this patriotic unity did
not last long.
Russian army lost badly in germany and hungary snd there were 7 million casualities
by 1917.
In 1915 tsar took the military leadership leaving administration to his wife and
Rasputin who were uncapable of doing it.
It also impacted the industries. The Russian industries were few and the supply of
industrial goods was cut off by German control of the Baltic sea. Labours were
conscripted to serve the army. This resulted in labour shortage for industries.
There were food shortages and inflation due which even bread became unaffordable
as large amount of it was sent to feed the army. This increased food in riots by late
1916. Also the strikes increased.
Some believe that although conditions were there for an upheaval still the radical
changes was not possible if there was no war. The war failure caused troops and
police to mutiny who had earlier supported aristocracy.

February revolution

By February 1917 the conditions were ripe for an uprising.

On 22 February there was a demonstration by working-class women trying to
purchase bread. A general strike of workers followed, in which soldiers and others
soon joined. At this stage o political party was actively organising the strike.
On 25th February Duma was suspended. This was resented by parliamentarians
wishing to preserve elected government.
On 27th government tried to control the situation and called the cavalry but they
refused to fire on the demonstrators. Regiment by regiment mutinied and joined the
demonstrators.
Strikers and soldiers gathered in the building of duma to form council or soviet. This
was called the Petrograd soviet.(council of workers and soldiers).
Following the advise of his military commanders tsar abdicated on 2nd march.Tsar
nominated his brother to succeed him but Grand Duke realised that he would have
little support as ruler, so he declined the crown.
Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a provisional government they decided
that Russias future based on its constitution framed by a constituent assembly
based on adult franchise.

October revolution

In February 1917 two centres of power emerged to replace the tsarist government:
the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. The Provisional Government
had formal authority but the Soviet controlled the actual power, including the loyalty
of the troops, and offered only conditional support to the government
Army officials, landowners, industrialists were influential in provisional government.
Restrictions on press and gathering were removed and soviets(councils) like
petrograde soviet(without elections) were set up everywhere.
Government delayed the elections for constituent assembly arguing elections were
not possible during war.
In April 1917, Lenin returned to Russia from his exile. He demanded war to be ended,
banks be nationalised and land to be transferred to the tiller. These 3 demands were
Lenins April Thesis. Provisional government under Kerensky was not able to
implement these demands and lost the support of people. So popularity of Bolsheviks
increased and Lenin felt that it was time for soviets to take power.
Most of the soviets felt that time hasnt come for a socialist revolution in Russia and
so the provisional government should be supported. But the events later changed the
scenario.
In June about 500 soviets sent representatives to All Russian Congress of Congress
of Soviets. As the provisional government saw its power decreasing and influence of
Bolshevik increasing it launched an attack on leaders. Lenin was accused of being a
german spy and at this popularity of Bolsheviks declined.400 people were killed in
violence of July Days.
Encouraged by the socialist revolutionaries peasants seized land between July and
September.
The provisional government collapsed in October revolution when Petrograd soviet
and Bolshevik party agreed for a socialist seizure of power. A military revolutionary
committee was formed under Trotsky to organise the seizure. It took place on 25th
October. An All Russian Congress of Soviets met on the same day and assumed full
political power.At this time popularity of Bolsheviks has increased.

After October revolution

Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic was formed. It was just one of the many
'republics' that composed the future Soviet Union.
Bolsheviks were opposed to private property and most industries and banks were
nationalised.
Land was declared social property and peasant seized the land of nobility.
Old aristocratic titles were banned
Bolshevik party was renamed Russian communist party.
In November 1917 Bolsheviks organised elections to constituent assembly but they
failed to gain majority support. Lenin dismissed the assembly and said All Russian
Congress of Soviets was more democratic then elected assembly.
In march 1918 despite opposition by its allies, Bolsheviks signed a treaty with
Germany at Brest Litovsk to formally drew Russia out of WW1.
In the following years Bolsheviks were the only party to participate in elections for All
Russian Congress of Soviets and Russia became a one party state.

A secret police called cheka(later NKVD) was formed to punish all those who
criticised the Bolsheviks.

Russian civil war

While resistance to the Red Guard began on the very day after the Bolshevik
uprising, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and the political ban became a catalyst[12] for the
formation of anti-Bolshevik groups both inside and outside Russia, pushing them into
action against the new regime.
Non Bolsheviks socialists, liberals and supporters of aristocracy condemned rhe
boshevik uprising. Their leaders move to south Russia and organised troops to fight
the Bolsheviks(Reds).
So there was civil war between greens(Social revolutionaries),whites(Pro tsarist) and
reds.Anti Bolsheviks were supported by Britain, Japan, France and America because
they feared the growth of communism.
But by 1920 Bolsheviks controlled most part of Russian empire with the help of non
Russian nationalists and Muslim jadidists. Bolsheviks agreed to give political
autonomy to most non Russian nationalities(of former Russian empire) in return for
their joining a union with Russia.( This union was called soviet union).All of them
were called republics and so their union was USSR
In 1922 USSR was formally created when Russian SFSR, the Transcaucasian
SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR(Belarus) approved the Treaty
on the Creation of the USSR
the Transcaucasian SFSR embraced Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. As they were
separated from Russia by the Caucasus Mountains, they were known traditionally as
the Transcaucasian Republics.