History 12 Unit One
TOPIC B: Russian Revolutions and Life under Lenin (1905-1924)
Russia before the revolution
-Under Romanov rule (Tsars had ruled as autocrats) aka absolute power
-Nicholas was a weak man who’s opinion was easily swayed
-To discourage dissent and eliminate protest, the Tsar outlaws strikes and unions and uses
*secret police
*exiles
*executions
-In 1904-1905,the Russians fight and lose a costly war over Manchuria, against Japan
-Industries were beginning to spread and the number of people living in towns + working in factories was increasing. // much of new industry was owned by foreigners investing in Russia. = fewer Russian factory owners and middle class business men.
-industrial workers were not prepared to accept poor wages and conditions
-On January 22, 1905 a peaceful march led by a priest Father Gapon is fired upon by panicked military and the people lose connection with the Tsar.
There are assassination attempts, riots and finally a mutiny on the Battleship
Potemkin in Odessa in 1905.
-The Tsar responds with the October Manifesto which establishes a DUMA (or parliament). It meets three times but the Tsar dissolves it each time.
-A popular Duma minister, Peter Stolypin institutes land reforms to help peasants but is eventually assassinated in 1911.
-1911-1914 the situation quiets down as foreign investment increases and the crops are bountiful.
-World War I is considered a “Holy Crusade” versus Germany.
-By the end of 1914 almost 1/4 of the Russian army was dead, wounded or captured. The people turn against the government. Tsar Nicholas takes personal command, with no military experience.
-After unsuccessful revolution in 1905, he allowed a parliament or Duma to be elected in 1906.
-After criticism of the lack of freedom, Nicholas shut it down.
-Nicholas allowed Stolypin to make some important changes. Between 1906 and 1911 he introduced reforms which made it easier for peasants to own their own land. By 1916, only 24% of peasants owned land, other still worked for wealthy landowners.
-He was assassinated in 1911
Russia and the First World War
-lack of freedom affected and angered the middle class people in Russia. (They felt if they did not belong to the wealthy nobility their chances of rising to important posts in the government and civil service were very slim)
-Industrial output was behind enemies (fell by 50% as peasants were brought into factories lacking the right skills.)
-Around 15 million peasants were conscripted during the war, agricultural production dropped. Shortages of food led to rapid inflation.
-The Tsar foolishly made himself supreme commander of the armed forces =became responsible for the string of defeats
-Nicholas and his family were further criticized because of strange relationship with Rasputin. (man has powerful influence over wife)—influence soon extended to government affairs= angered court nobility.
The March Revolution
-Also known as the February Revolution
-Protesting about shortage of bread and fuel
-March 15th- Tsar abdicated throne
-Provisional government was made
Enter the Bolsheviks
-The Russian Social Democrat Party split into two groups—Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks
-Mensheviks had open membership, wanted cooperation from factory owners and other middle-class groups to overthrow the Tsar.
-The Bolsheviks (led by Levin) wanted the membership to only contain dedicated, professional revolutionaries.
-Lenin wanted the workers in alliance with the peasants to seize power and establish socialism.
-From ideas of Karl Marx
-Lenin was against war so he could help Russia pull out of it which would be a great help to Germany.
-Lenin arrived back from exile and promoted “Peace, Land and Bread”
The Provisional Government’s mistakes
-popular at first: released all political prisoner, legalized political parties, introduced right to strike and an eight-hour working day.
-Also called for election of Constituent Assembly to decide Russia’s new constitution.
-All Tsar’s estates were confiscated, however wealthy landowners supported new government so nothing was done to provide peasants with other land.
-Red army defended against Kornilov’s party
The November Revolution
-Provisional Government crumbled after the Bolsheviks seized control of the stations (key buildings).
-By the end of if Levin controlled the heartland of Russia
Lenin in Power (1917-1924)
-After successful Bolshevik revolution, Lenin gets Russia out of WW1 at a huge cost to Russia
-The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk = Russians were to lose 26% of their population, 27% of farm land and 74% of their iron ore and coal
-Lenin signed it because Russia could not afford to fight a war
-The Bolsheviks became the Communist PartyIt declared all classes equal, was against religion and used the secret police or Cheka to crush opposition (50,000).
-Luckily when Germany lost the war, the treaty was cancelled and Russia got most of their territory back.
-Whites= supporter of Tsar vs Reds
The Civil War (1918-1920)
-The Bolsheviks fear the allies will release the Tsar and so move the Royal Family from Siberia to the Ural mountains and shoot them on July 16, 1918.
-The Civil War is a series of unconnected battles and Trotsky is able to defeat each wave of attack to emerge a war hero.
-Other war was being fought again the Polish that were afraid of getting their lands seized.
-Treaty of Riga (March 1921) –led to expansion of Poland and the addition of some 6 million Ukrainian and Russian subjects.
-White army has support of foreigners (however Western support made them look like tools of foreign government while Reds could claim to be fighting for Russia free from foreign control)
Lenin’s Economic Policies
- Lenin introduces War Communism which is an economic policy that helps the army but increases poverty and famine. Main points of this policy:
*banned private trade
*nationalized all factories and workshops
*rationed crops; gave any surplus to Red Army
In 1921, 5 million people starve to death in a famine.
Lenin introduces changes with the New Economic Policy in March 1921. This policy contains elements of capitalism and allows
*allowed some private trade & ownership
*peasants able to sell surplus crops
*some Foreign investment
Power Struggle
-In 1923 Russia becomes the Union Socialist Soviet Republics.
-In January 1924 Lenin dies at 53 after a series of strokes without leaving a clear successor.
-A power battle erupts between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin
OTHER:
-1921 Treaty of Riga
-with Poland, after early Russia retreats gives more land to Poland, border established at Curzon Line
-1922 Treaty of Rapallo
-with Germany, Trade agreements and “Secret” arms deals that violate Treaty of Versailles. 1st major country to RECOGNIZE Communist government of Lenin’s
