History of The Russian revolution

Definition

The Russian Revolution refers to a series of events that took place in 1917, leading to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a communist government in Russia. This monumental shift transformed Russia from an imperial state into a socialist society, affecting global politics and inspiring revolutionary movements worldwide. The revolution consisted of two major phases: the February Revolution, which ended centuries of Romanov rule, and the October Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The February Revolution occurred in March 1917 (February on the Julian calendar), leading to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and ending over 300 years of Romanov rule.
2. The October Revolution, which took place in November 1917, was marked by the Bolshevik seizure of power, leading to the establishment of Soviet governance.
3. The Russian Revolution was influenced by widespread discontent with social inequalities, economic hardship, and military failures during World War I.
4. The Civil War (1917-1922) followed the revolution, pitting the Red Army (Bolsheviks) against the White Army (anti-Bolshevik forces) and leading to significant loss of life and destruction.
5. The revolution laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, which became a major world power and influenced global politics throughout the 20th century.

Review Questions

• How did the February and October Revolutions differ in their causes and outcomes?
  • The February Revolution was primarily driven by widespread dissatisfaction with Tsar Nicholas II's regime due to military defeats, food shortages, and general unrest among workers and soldiers. Its outcome was the abdication of the Tsar and establishment of a Provisional Government. In contrast, the October Revolution was orchestrated by the Bolsheviks who capitalized on the failures of the Provisional Government, ultimately resulting in their rise to power and establishing a communist regime.
• Evaluate the role of leadership in both the Bolshevik and Menshevik factions during the Russian Revolution.
  • Leadership played a crucial role in shaping both factions' strategies during the Russian Revolution. The Bolsheviks, under Vladimir Lenin's decisive and authoritarian leadership, managed to organize effectively and mobilize support among workers and soldiers for immediate action. In contrast, the Mensheviks favored a more democratic approach but lacked cohesion and decisiveness in their tactics, which contributed to their eventual marginalization as the Bolsheviks seized power.
• Assess how the outcomes of the Russian Revolution impacted global political ideologies in the 20th century.
  • The outcomes of the Russian Revolution had profound implications for global political ideologies throughout the 20th century. By establishing a communist state, it inspired socialist movements worldwide and challenged capitalist systems, leading to ideological conflicts that defined much of international relations during the Cold War. The revolution also prompted responses from capitalist nations, influencing their domestic policies and leading to increased polarization between leftist and rightist movements globally.

Related terms

Bolsheviks:

A faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party led by Vladimir Lenin that played a key role in the October Revolution and established a one-party state.

Mensheviks: A rival faction to the Bolsheviks within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that favored a more gradual approach to socialism and greater democratic processes.

Provisional Government:

A temporary government established after the February Revolution that aimed to lead Russia towards a democratic future but struggled with legitimacy and was eventually overthrown by the Bolsheviks.