For three centuries prior to the 1917 revolution, Russians lived in a state of dissatisfaction and dissent under the autocratic rule of the Romanov Tzars. Being an autocracy, there was no parliament to stand for the desires of the Russian people, ministers were rarely elected because of any sort of competency, and any sort of public dissent was quickly quelled by the Okhrana, the Russian secret police at the time.
Russia was falling behind the rest of the world when it came to industrialisation and modernisation. Tzar Nicholas desperately tried to hold onto his autocratic powers, while around him, the Russian people became more educated and aware of their global position. Depressed peasants, downtrodden workers and the frustrated politically minded all clamoured for a change in the way Russia was run and for a say in the government of the country, such as was enjoyed by the populations of more advanced European countries.
As discontent grew, revolutionary ideas became ingrained in the psyche of many Russians, with the development of the socialist movement, and the spread of Marxism. Land and Liberty, one of the first socialist groups was a Russian clandestine revolutionary organisations of Narodniki (middle- or upper-class revolutionaries attempting to spread socialism in rural areas). It had a profound effect on Vladimir Lenin, and other revolutionaries. It also served as a precursor to the RSDLP, Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, which in 1903 split into the Bolsheviks (majority) and Mensheviks (minority), left wing revolutionary parties. The Mensheviks believed in a slow, steady introduction of socialism. They also believed that once the Tsar was overthrown, there would be a cooperation between the proletariat and bou...
... middle of paper ...
...hrough the grapevine, Lenin learned of Trotsky, and in recognition of his literary talents, he sent a message that Trotsky should report immediately to Iskra headquarters in Europe. By way of Zurich and Paris, in October 1902, young Trotsky arrived on the doorstep of Lenin’s apartment. In the Early morning, with Lenin still in bed. Nadezhda Krupskaya opened the door and warmly greeted the young man. “The ‘pen’ has arrived,” she announced to Lenin.
Lenin, a good listener and Trotsky, with much to say were a good match. The Iskra kept close tabs on the events in Russia, eager to keep their fingers on the pulse of the revolution. Lenin was quick to see the value in Trotsky, marking him as a man of “exceptional abilities”. At Lenin’s urging, he delivered speeches in London, Brussels, Liège, and Paris. During his visit to France, he met his second wife, Natalia Sedova.
This was, of course, only a humorous exaggeration, a case of political satire. Yet beneath the humor, there lies a very profound testament to the belief that Russia's political culture has been inherited from its czarist days and manifested throughout its subsequent development. The traditions from the pre-Revolution and pre-1921 Russia, it seems, had left its brand on the 70-years of Communist rule. The Soviet communism system was at once a foreign import from Germany and a Russian creation: "on the one hand it is international and a world phenomenon; on the other hand it is national and Russian…it was Russian history which determined its limits and shaped its character." (Berdyaev, "Origin")
During the 19th century, Russia was experiencing a series of changes with its entire nation and society overall. The government was trying to adapt themselves to them at the same time. It was not an easy time period for Russia whatsoever. Vladimir Lenin helped change this.
For centuries, autocratic and repressive tsarist regimes ruled the country and population under sever economic and social conditions; consequently, during the late 19th century and early 20th century, various movements were staging demonstrations to overthrow the oppressive government. Poor involvement in WWI also added to the rising discontent against Nicholas as Russian armies suffered terrible casualties and defeats because of a lack of food and equipment; in addition, the country was industrially backward compared to countries such as Britain, France, Germany, and the USA. It had failed to modernize, this was to do with the tsars lack of effort for reforms. The country was undergoing tremendous hardships as industrial and agricultural output dropped. Famine and poor morale could be found in all aspects of Russian life. Furthermore, the tsar committed a fatal mistake when he appointed himself supreme commander of the armed forces because he was responsible for the armies constant string of defeats.
It was due to its great resources and population that Russia was able to compete with the other world powers in war and in commerce. Russia did not have the succession of leaders that supported industrialization like Japan did. Therefore, Russia, with Alexander II as czar, made few reforms to encourage industrialization. It was only through the multiple peasant revolts that Russia began to change. Both of these nations experienced changes in government, an increase in economic strength and transportation, and radical changes in the structure of the social classes.
It was said that the educated people, the contact with other countries should contribute to the government policy. As said in document 1 , "By 1900 there were political parties raging from far right defenders of autocracy and russian power over all other ethnicities, to far left revolutionaries calling for the overthrow of the government." The government there was autocratic, which was when the tsar had all the power/control of the government. Another cause for the Russian Revolution was the outbreak of WW1. "Even before the war urban workers all over the Russian empire had been increasingly radical, but the war brought the government's incompentence and the people's grievances into sharper relief. The first months of the war were a disaster for Russia." It is much easier to overthrow a government than to try andcreate a new government. As said in document 2,"Chaos, conflict, uncertaunty; more violence are much more common and often led to centralized, authoritarian governments." There was celebration all over the streets after the indication that the tsar was overthrown after 300 years of a tsarist government ruling. "The problem was that, after the party, governing problems arose immediately.
Trotsky was hugely significant in the build up to and during the October Revolution. The first reason was his ability to convince many of the Social Democrats that the revolution was a real possibility, not just a theoretical concept. This is evident through much of Trotsky’s work as the leader of the Petrograd Soviet in September 1917, which saw Trotsky re-invent the Bolshevik plan to seize power, curbing Lenin’s ruthless ambition as he aimed for the swift overthrow of Kerensky . ‘The provisional government was brought down with barely a shot fired… they looked to undermine his government through those of the Petrograd Soviet.’ This passage suggests Trotsky was hugel...
Leon Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein to David and Anna Bronstein on November 7, 1879, in Yanovka, Ukraine (“Leon Trotsky Biography”). The first eight years of his schooling were completed in Odessa with subsequent education in Nikolayev in 1896 (“Leon Trotsky”). It was here that Trotsky was introduced
The Russian revolution of February 1917 was a momentous event in the course of Russian history. The causes of the revolution were very critical and even today historians debate on what was the primary cause of the revolution. The revolution began in Petrograd as “a workers’ revolt” in response to bread shortages. It removed Russia from the war and brought about the transformation of the Russian Empire into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, replacing Russia’s monarchy with the world’s first Communist state. The revolution opened the door for Russia to fully enter the industrial age. Before 1917, Russia was a mostly agrarian nation. The Russian working class had been for many years fed up with the ways they had to live and work and it was only a matter of time before they had to take a stand. Peasants worked many hours for low wages and no land, which caused many families to lose their lives. Some would argue that World War I led to the intense downfall of Russia, while others believe that the main cause was the peasant unrest because of harsh living conditions. Although World War I cost Russia many resources and much land, the primary cause of the Russian Revolution was the peasant unrest due to living conditions because even before the war began in Russia there were outbreaks from peasants due to the lack of food and land that were only going to get worse with time.
Russian Social Democratic workers party. Lenin eventually returned home and started working against the tsarist regime. From the beginning of the regime, the Bolsheviks relied heavy on a strong secret police known as the Cheka (“Secret Police”). The secret police became quickly known for its brutality. Since the Bolshevik seizure of power in the October revolution, Lenin had been focus on keeping his...
Lenin’s pragmatic leadership was the most considerable factor in helping to fortify Bolshevik power. His willingness to take power in October/November 1917 and the successes of the move, through his right-hand man, Trotsky, was critical as it helped give him unquestioned authority within the party despite members of the Central Committee i.e. Zinoviev and Kamenev who suggested industrialisation needed to occur first. This highlighted Lenin’s communist ideology in practice which was essential to the Bolsheviks maintaining power. Following the failure of the Provisional Government, Lenin recognised that it was the Bolshevik’s priority to legitimise their government. As a result, issues of ‘Peace, Bread and Land’ were addressed through the issuing of a number of decrees in late 1917 including decrees on land, peace, Workers’ Rights as well as reforms to marriage and religion. ...
Many people wonder why some countries, like Russia, are the way they are today. What most people do not realize is that most of these countries have gone through many changes in government and society. The Russian Revolution was one of the most significant events because of how is changed not only Russia's government, but also the whole country.
Lenin lead the first communist government in russia . When communist took over the city of petrograd , they decided to take out the provisional government . “Peace, bread and land” and “All power to the soviets” was said by Lenin to the cities workers with sayings such as these 2. In lenin's eyes he claimed that workers will and can not , be governed by themselves. Lenin promised to the Soviets that he would get his soldiers out of war plus he granted land ownership to the peasants and also gave them a opportunity to own shops in Soviet . The actual revolution only lasted two days. Trotsky had planned this and it was perfect execution . Trotsky held a speech in the city of petrograd to distract them while the red guards took over important parts of petrograd. Almost everything possible was captured. Lenin was like a spy during this revolution, he had to find the leaders of the provisional government and arrest them . At this time Alexander Kerensky was the president of the provisional
Over the next few years, Russia went through a traumatic time of civil war and turmoil. The Bolsheviks’ Red Army fought the white army of farmers, etc. against Lenin and his ways. Lenin and the Bolsheviks won and began to wean Russia of non-conforming parties eventually banning all non-communist as well as removing an assembly elected shortly after the Bolshevik’s gain of power. Lenin’s strict government, however, was about to get a lot stricter with his death in 1924.
Inspired by the works of Karl Marx, V.I. Lenin nonetheless drew his ideology from many other great 19th century philosophers. However, Marx’s “Communist Manifesto” was immensely important to the success of Russia under Leninist rule as it started a new era in history. Viewed as taboo in a capitalist society, Karl Marx started a movement that would permanently change the history of the entire world. Also, around this time, the Populist promoted a doctrine of social and economic equality, although weak in its ideology and method, overall. Lenin was also inspired by the anarchists who sought revolution as an ultimate means to the end of old regimes, in the hope of a new, better society. To his core, a revolutionary, V.I. Lenin was driven to evoke the class struggle that would ultimately transform Russia into a Socialist powerhouse. Through following primarily in the footsteps of Karl Marx, Lenin was to a lesser extent inspired by the Populists, the Anarchists, and the Social Democrats.
Throughout history there have been many revolutions between the population of a country and its government. People always want change, usually in the directions of freedom, peace and equality and in the lead up to the 1917 Russian revolution; there were a variety of social, political and economic situations that all played their part.