key term - Soviets

Definition

Soviets were local councils formed by workers and soldiers in Russia during the early 20th century, particularly during the 1917 revolutions. They became crucial centers of power and representation for the proletariat, as they organized strikes, protests, and eventually supported the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution. Their influence grew as they challenged the existing government structures, emphasizing grassroots governance and revolutionary ideals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first Soviet was formed in St. Petersburg in 1905 during the first Russian Revolution, primarily composed of workers and soldiers demanding political reforms.
2. During the February Revolution in 1917, Soviets gained significant power by organizing strikes and uprisings against the provisional government.
3. The Bolsheviks capitalized on the support of the Soviets during the October Revolution by promising 'Peace, Land, and Bread,' aligning their goals with those of the working class.
4. Soviets operated as parallel governments, challenging the legitimacy of both the Tsarist regime and later the provisional government, which led to a power struggle in Russia.
5. After the Bolsheviks seized power, Soviets became instrumental in establishing a new socialist government structure, evolving into a key part of Soviet governance under Lenin.

Review Questions

• How did Soviets influence the political landscape in Russia during the 1917 revolutions?
  • Soviets significantly impacted the political landscape in Russia during 1917 by organizing workers and soldiers to demand changes from both the Tsarist regime and the provisional government. They became centers of power that represented the interests of the proletariat, facilitating strikes and protests. Their grassroots governance structure allowed for an effective challenge to existing authorities, ultimately leading to widespread support for Bolshevik policies and actions during the October Revolution.
• Compare and contrast the roles of Soviets and political parties like the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks during the early revolutionary period.
  • Soviets served as grassroots councils that directly represented workers' interests, while political parties like the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks operated within broader ideological frameworks. The Bolsheviks aimed for an immediate revolution and control over these councils to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, whereas Mensheviks favored a more gradual approach to socialism. This difference in strategy led to conflict over who would hold power within these Soviets, with Bolsheviks ultimately gaining dominance due to their appeal to immediate revolutionary change.
• Evaluate how the establishment of Soviets contributed to both the rise of Lenin's regime and its subsequent transformation into a centralized government.
  • The establishment of Soviets was crucial for Lenin's rise as they provided a platform for mobilizing popular support among workers and soldiers who were disillusioned with existing authorities. By promising to empower these councils, Lenin effectively harnessed their energy to solidify Bolshevik control during and after the October Revolution. However, once in power, Lenin's regime gradually centralized authority away from these grassroots bodies as it sought to consolidate power, ultimately transforming Soviets into instruments of state governance rather than independent centers of power.

Related terms

Bolsheviks:

A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party led by Lenin, which advocated for a radical overthrow of the capitalist system and established a socialist state.

Mensheviks:

Another faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that believed in a more moderate approach to socialism, advocating for gradual reform rather than immediate revolution.

Proletariat: The working class in capitalist societies, which Marxist theory posits as the class that will ultimately lead a revolution against capitalism.