Russian Revolution occurred in 1917 during the closing stages of World War I, which resulted in the withdrawal of Russia from the war and the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), which replaced the country's longstanding monarchy with the first Communist state in the world. For the bourgeois classes everywhere, the inauguration of the Soviet regime was anathema to core values of the western civilisation, while for radicals and communists it signified a natural culmination of the inevitable march of history towards human freedom and a social order devoid of exploitation. The Finnish may have had more success if they also followed this strategy. Marfa Vasiteva was a brave mill worker and a milling machine operator who single handled organised a successful strike. The Russian reaction (or lack thereof) to the 1917 Revolution suggests ambiguity about its meaning for Russians. What happened to the Romanov family during the Russian Revolution? The Russian Revolution was successful because it ended feudalism and capitalism, which were two of the biggest problems in Russia. Did the French Revolution result in civil war? In contemporary contexts, the Revolution is in some cases viewed as irrelevant or analyzed in a fragmented way. Marvin Hickey is a business blogger who loves to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. The Russian Revolution originated as a grassroots movement against the monarchy in the Russian Empire. Although the provisional government did introduce some reforms on the political front, prompting even Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin to declare Russia in April 1917 the freest country in the world, it was the Red October Revolution that turned the old order completely upside down by inaugurating a socialist regime and making Soviet-style communism a global ideological and political force that lasted until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991. How long did the Russian Revolution last? Why did the Russian Revolution of 1917 fail? She was unable to manage the government in her husbands absence and was faced with progressively greater challenges. With. As for the policy of war communism, it ended a complete disaster. Why was the Diplomatic Revolution considered revolutionary? Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library, The Russian Revolution: Timeline, Causes & Effects. The February 1917 Revolution She also mentioned views among the International Left in Venezuela, but such voices largely echo socialist views of 1917, rather than offering a varied perspective. Regardless of the limits of his actual influence, Tsarina Alexandra routinely defended him, even to her own detriment. The Way How Sugar Changed The World Essay, Depiction of Mass Hysteria in the Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay, Compare And Contrast New England, The Middle Colonies, And The Southern Colonies Essay, Somme: A Historical Analysis of One of WWI's Deadliest Battles Essay, The Role Of Monasteries In Medieval Society Essay. Rasputin arrived in St. Petersburg in 1903. What were the goals of the Russian Revolution? To be sure, they were, until then, in Lev Trotskys own words, the pride and joy of the revolution. There were assassinations, mutinies, and attacks on the homes of the wealthy. You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers. Additional defeats followed. Nevertheless, the states out of character (non)reaction to the centenary may function, according to Fitzpatrick, as a kind of reconciliation for the 1917 events. First, industrialisation. Russias peasants remained in a state of near-slavery, called serfdom, for far longer than you might expect; serfdom was only ended under Nicholas father, Alexander III, in 1861. Inflation increased the cost of basic commodities, like food and fuel. Thus, in a way, this guilt resulting from lack of foresight about such a tumultuous event brings us back to the failure concept. Lasting from March 8, 1917, to June 16, 1923, the violent revolution saw the overthrow of the tradition of czarist rulers by the Bolsheviks, led by leftist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Why was the Iranian Revolution significant? The Russian Revolution, which was started by Lenin and his followers, was a rebellion that occurred in 1917 which forced higher powers to act to the needs of the lower class. The risk of starvation increased in a relatively famine-prone region, particularly due to poor administration and organization. Why was the Bolshevik Revolution successful? With the suppression of the Kronstadt rebellion, it became clear that Lenins concept of the vanguard party and his understanding of the dictatorship of the proletariat did not permit dissent of any kind and that a socialist political order was to be based on one-party rule. Workers in late 19th and early 20th century Russia were largely treated like serfs, with few rights and little control over their own work environments. Why did people join the Cuban Revolution? What was the point of the Russian Revolution? Who is the underclass in the Russian Revolution? Why did the February Revolution of 1917 succeed? These provided both social support and a sort of welfare net; the community could look after its own. Where do you want us to send this sample? The October Revolution, commonly referred to as Red October, the October Uprising, or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a seizure of state power instrumental in the larger Russian Revolution of 1917. Why did Cuba rebel in the Cuban Revolution? Often, such as in the Russian Revolution, this means taking a capitalist country and turning it Communist. What did Lenin promise during the Russian Revolution? The Russian Revolution dramatically changed Russia from an autocracy to a communist system of government. In addition, a population explosion in the second half of the 19th century led to increased demands for food. It was the second revolutionary change . During the latter part of the 19th century, Russia experienced a massive population increase. Site by sonnet media, Jordan Center Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, 19v: A Working Group on 19th Century Russian Culture, 19v: An Occasional Series on the 19th Century, Graduate Student Essay Competition 2021-2022, Jordan Center New York City Summer Fellowship, Jordan Center Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, NEW: Masters and Undergraduate Research Symposia, Resources on Topics of Race and Racism in Russian Studies. A provisional government replaced the autocratic government of the Tsar; however, the government did not immediately withdraw from the war. Bloody Sunday led, nearly immediately, to widespread rebellion. The Russian Revolution . WEB Russian Revolution on the Web Guide; WEB History of Russia and the former USSR [At Internet Archive] WEB The Vladimir Ilyich Lenin . In fact, his influence was largely limited to the care and health of the child. They were declared a republic independent from Russia in 1919 and the Germans claimed that they had saved the working class from the disease of Communism. Dreams are surely renewable, and a new world is waiting to be born, but the possibilities available to create an egalitarian, socially just, ecologically friendly, and decent society lie outside the ideas, practices and policies of the October Revolution. She was strongly influenced by Rasputin and, once she was in power, began firing competent government officials and replacing them with her own. Even they worried that the revolution would be over if they were killed on the frontlines. Who were the Conservatives in the Russian Revolution? What were the social and economic causes of Russian Revolution? He has years of experience in the corporate world, and he uses his knowledge to help others achieve success. Russians were either very poor or very rich. He was physically distant from the front lines of World War I. According to Fitzpatrick, this disregard can be attributed to scholars focus on the failures of the event. People who are willing to engage and take action in a revolution are trying to fix the struggles in justice, reminding people not to forget the future against the . A hundred years ago, on November 7 (October 25 according to the Russian calendar), 1917, Vladimir Lenin's Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government and established a communist dictatorship. King Christian of Denmark [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. Socialist Worker. What did the first part of the Russian Revolution achieve? Large parts of Russia had short growing seasons and long, harsh winters; however, Russia had very large amounts of land, enabling more land investment in agriculture. The addition of the Ottoman Empire to the Central Powers of World War I in 1914 cut off essential trade routes for Russia. The revolution took place in two stages. Communism may come to mind when thinking about the Russian Revolution, however, the motivation of the Russian people was not really about Communism at all. The failure of Bolshevism was not a result of all the mistakes made by Lenin and Trotsky, but rather it was a result of many mistakes made by both Lenin and Trotsky. Exploring The Boundaries Of Religious Privacy. They protested this situation in 1905. Slavoj Zizek, for example, believes that Lenins practice is out of sync with modern times. What countries were involved in the Russian Revolution? First, he appointed his inexperienced cousin as commander-in-chief of the army, then he planned an invasion of East Prussia. He had already gained a reputation as a mystic and healer. While the pre-war Russian Empire was one of the five Great Powers of Europe, it was the only one that was a net importer of capital rather than an exporter (Serge). His unwavering intent to establish socialism in Russia, regardless of the ripeness of the social and economic conditions, and his firm conviction that only the Bolsheviks represented the true interests of the workers, would compel him to adopt strategies and policies that would soon deprive the Revolution of whatever potential it had originally had for the establishment of a new social order based on workers control of the means of production and democracy (which Lenin, sadly enough, associated with the dictatorship of the proletariat). We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Marvin is a great resource for information on online marketing, social media, and SEO. He attempted to become a monk, but failed. As with the munitions shortages, food shortages were less an issue of agricultural production, and more an issue of poor management and administration. The Russian people and Nicholas IIs father, Tsar Alexander III, largely disapproved of the marriage, but it was a rare love match, rather than a relationship arranged for political motivations. What was the impact of the Russian Revolution on India? Why was Karl Marx important in the Russian Revolution? A revolution is a successful attempt made by a large group of people to change / challenge the political system of their country. Why was the Algerian Revolution so important? What happened to the Russian monarchy after the Russian Revolution? This raises the question of what the difference is between these two types of revolution and why it matters. Having anything to do with Witchcraft in Salem, 1692 was bad and would have got you in huge trouble. The October Revolution was actually the second Russian revolution of 1917. How they would accomplish this was still unknown (Serge). The reason why this distinction matters is due to the fact that such a large change scares people. By the early 20th century, following the 1905 rebellion and the establishment of the Duma, efforts were made to dismantle the traditional organizational structure of peasant communities, the commune. As a young man, he was largely interested in his military career, rather than the political operations of the government. Tags: capitalism, centenary, cyclical, failure, historical inevitability, revolution, socialism, success, 2023 NYU Jordan Center The Tsar was replaced by a provincial government in February 1917. It was essentially the epic story of an impossible dream that turned in due time into a political and historical nightmare because of the interplay of a vast array of factors that included backward socioeconomic conditions, outside intervention, an absence of democratic traditions, and misconceived notions about socialism and democracy. It inspired workers' rebellions around the world, and came close to succeeding in its ultimate goal. There are several issues that are particularly divisive, such as whether the October Revolution was a popular insurgency or essentially a coup, and whether Stalinism evolved naturally from the basic principles and political strategies of Lenin or was an unexpected development. The period after emancipation was the first time the lower classes of Russia had been free to leave the land on which they were born. They had no real goal besides creating a democratic parliament that would be lead by the working class. Just as the middle class joined the workers to exploit their large numbers to overthrow the usually dictatorial government in the case of a bourgeois revolution, the counter-revolutions exploit the bourgeois by fighting for an anti-worker democracy (Serge). The people marched peacefully, heading toward the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, but were, for an unknown reason, fired upon by Russian troops. What happened to the Tsar during the Russian Revolution? The Russian Revolution of 1917 stands as one of the most impactful political events of the 20th century. Nicholas poor leadership led to significant wartime failures in Russia. Why was the Haitian Revolution the only successful slave revolt? Why was the American Revolution important to global history? Why is it necessary for a totalitarian regime to have a permanent revolution? What was life like before the Russian Revolution? Russian soldiers in the trenches of World War I. Schmoop Military Defeat in World War I Russia entered World War I relatively underdeveloped. The factors, which enhanced the Revolutions success, included Lenin's Leadership, the Red guards and Russia's weapons, the Military Revolutionary Committee, the mistakes and problems of the Provisional Government, Lenin's 'April Theses', the war and finally control of the Soviet. Between 1917 and 1922, Russia underwent a complete and irreversible transformation. Yet, even this does not mean that the Bolshevik programme and Lenins ideas of rule were accepted by the majority of the Russian people: In the November 1917 elections, the first truly free election in Russian history, Lenins party received only one quarter of the vote, while the Social Revolutionaries managed to receive over 60 percent. The Russian Revolution was successful because of the influence of the socialist revolutionaries as well as the utter failure of the Russian parliament and tsarist Russia in general. When state-owned serfs were emancipated, the terms were somewhat more generous. What factors led to the overthrow of the Russian tsar and the eventual triumph of the Bolsheviks? The Bolshevik revolutionaries achieved their goals, which included the destruction of the old way of rule, How successful were the outcomes of the Russian Revolution? What was the result of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet control? The Bolshevik Revolution was unsuccessful because they were not able to defeat the Whites and prevent their return to power. While the country had taken significant steps forward in the 20 years prior to the war, it was distinctly less industrialized than its allies. Nicholas II and his entire family were, of course, killed during the Revolution in 1918. Saint Anthony led a worldly routine to follow [], Religion. No. Russia's industrial centers. Stalin used his position as dictator to create a totalitarian regime that was completely different from what it had been before. Their leaders werent as strong as Lenin or Trotsky and they didnt have a clear idea of what would constitute a success, which is the most important quality of a proletariat revolution. Why do Hungarians celebrate the Hungarian Revolution? What did the Bolshevik Revolution lead to? Many left the land not by choice, but out of financial necessitythey were in need of work, and lacked the ability to support themselves on the land. Why was the Reign of Terror significant for the French Revolution? Stalin was a dictator and an oppressive leader who used his power to create a totalitarian regime that was completely different from what it had been before. The revolution was executed as a result of mass unrest in the country. For most of its history, Russia was ruled by an emperor, known as a czar. As former Soviet republics continued to peel off and gain greater independence, there was an increased study of the revolution but one that was simultaneously fragmented. Rather than investigating the revolution directly, scholars were studying around it in a broader context. he thought the intelligentsia would have to lead them to revolution. Why did colonists revolt in reaction to the Glorious Revolution? Russians were either very poor or very rich. This reputation was a contemporary one, and almost certainly contributed to the widespread hatred of Tsarina Alexandra. Students who find writing to be a difficult task. Both Russian Revolutions of 1917 were successful, not because they were popular . When he took command and went to the front, he lost that buffer zone of sorts, and bore a much more personal responsibility for the events that unfolded during World War I. Nicholas left his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra, to govern. What were the immediate consequences of the Russian Revolution? A large number of former serfs sold their land back to the landowner to eliminate the payments, and moved away from the land. The Bolshevik Revolution was only partially successful. The industrial revolution reached Russia significantly later than the rest of Europe. He was forced to abdicate. She was German, and Russia was at war with Germany. But this did not mean that all Bolsheviks shared Lenins views on war communism or that they embraced the policy that was followed in the 1920s by a partial return to the market system of production and distribution. The second part of this question asks for the reverse statement: if proletarian revolutions are known to do so badly, what was different enough about the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War that followed it which allowed the Bolshevik Party to gain power and, surprisingly, keep it. She was already unpopular; however, this just made her much more so. The theory was, functionally, a good one; however, the leadership and implementation of the plan was poor. The diversification of society is now commonplace in the United States, as people can [], Jordan is a country that should be a must see on everyones list of places to go and explore. Why were the Revolutions of 1848 important? As Fitzpatrick noted, the Soviet Unions disintegration in 1991 was an abrupt collapse, which historians did not predict. 1882 Pogroms against Jews spread across the Russian Empire, leading to mass emigration of the Jewish population. The workers have nothing to lose but their chains (Serge). He met the royal family two years later, and was embraced by the Tsarina, who believed he could cure her hemophiliac son, Alexei. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Particularly because the Russian Revolution initially pushed ideals of internationalism, would it be productive to encourage a more transnational investigation of the Revolution? What effect did the Bolshevik Revolution have on World War I? copyright 2003-2023 Homework.Study.com. Peasants suffered from land shortages, periodic hunger, high incidence of disease and early mortality, the burdens of taxation and rents, and military recruitment. The emancipation of the serfs led to a dramatic increase in population in Russian cities, as people moved away from the countryside to urban areas. Once the Bolsheviks succeeded, they would just open the floodgates to Communism for the rest of the world. They just needed one revolution to succeed to prove that it could be done. The railroad strike in 1917 was critical to the abdication of Nicholas II. We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. Why were Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanovs murdered. What was the Cultural Revolution in Russia? Home Essay Samples History World History The Failure and Success of the Russian Revolution. Hence, the end of Stalinism and the collapse of Soviet communism (which in the course of its 74 years did manage to turn a backward country into an industrialised nation that was able to defeat Nazism and make undeniable advances on several economic, cultural, and social fronts) mark simply the end of a dream turned into a nightmare. "Some argue that Russia was slowly evolving more modern political and social institutions, that it had a vibrant culture, a highly educated elite, that it had survived the upheaval of the 1905. The failure of Bolshevism can also be blamed on Joseph Stalin, who became dictator after Lenin died in 1924 and ruled for about 30 years. What was Russia like before the Bolshevik Revolution? All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The next two revolutions were successful. Dizzy With Success: Concerning Questions of the Collective Farm Movement, from Pravda, March 2, 1930. Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer! These smaller employers could continue to opt for abusive labor policies. Why was the Iranian Revolution widely supported? Alexandra, called Alix, also faced family opposition to the match. What did the Revolutions of 1848 achieve? Many could not afford to make the payments on their land. The Russian Revolution was, while a huge economic, social, and political change, the result of a number of different factors that built up over time, including economic, military, and political circumstances. The risk of starvation increased in a relatively famine-prone region, particularly due to poor administration and organization. A young man named Saint Anthony led and taught the teachings of Christ in Western Europe. Still, one hundred years later, the rise of the Bolsheviks to power continues to divide scholars, the chattering classes and even the educated public. He did not, as a boy, learn to read or write. Createyouraccount. The Russian Revolution is the mightiest event of the World War. What happened as a result of the Russian Revolution? The Russian empire was unlike any major European country but was nonetheless trying to catch up to countries like England and Germany. This talk was the final event in the 100 Year Anniversary of the 1917 Revolution lecture series, hosted by the NYU Jordan Center and co-sponsored by the NYU Department of History. Its important to note that they were trying to create a democracy although it was worker-led which would lead to it being more proletarian than bourgeois which is not true Communism like the Russians were trying to accomplish. The 1861 emancipation of the serfs enabled those who worked the land to purchase property from landowners; household serfs received only their freedom. Why did the French Revolution devolve into the Napoleonic Wars? What happened in October 1917 was the outcome of a well-designed strategy on the part of the leader (Lenin) of a minority party (the Bolsheviks) to wrest control from the provisional government because of a strong ideological aversion to bourgeois democracy and desire for power. How did the February Revolution ignite the Russian Revolution? An In-Depth Look At The Reality Of Aid, Can Jello Cause Diarrhea? Not all Communist countries are created through a proletarian revolution and not all proletarian revolutions end in Communism but there is certainly a direct correlation. In the years shortly after emancipation, the change helped to revitalize the Russian economy. Strikes and protests began in late 1916; however, the Tsarina failed to respond appropriately. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 in Russia was caused in part by. The failure of Bolshevism can also be blamed on Joseph Stalin, who became dictator after Lenin died in 1924 and ruled for about 30 years. "On this day I was born a second time, but now not as an all-forgiving and all-forgetting child, but as an embittered man, prepared to struggle and to triumph." -A worker after Bloody Sunday. On the centenary of the Great October Revolution, an objective evaluation on socialism and the legacy of Soviet communism gives no room for mourning or celebration. The Russian Revolution occurred during World War I which might seem like it would be helpful as most of the world powers were busy fighting amongst themselves but it actually ended up hurting the Bolsheviks. Does failure imply non-achievement of revolutionary goals? An In-Depth Look Into The Effects Of Jello On Your Digestive Health, Is Plastic Edible? On November 6 and 7, 1917 (or October 24 and 25 on the Julian calendar, hence referred to as the October Revolution), communist revolutionaries led by Vladimir Lenin launched a coup against Kerensky's government. In 1905, after Bloody Sunday, trade unions were legalized. It was the Civil War w. In August 1914, Russia suffered a massive defeat at the Battle of Tannenberg. Is It Illegal To Take Screenshots Of Conversations. The events destroyed the Tsarist autocracy, and helped create the Soviet Union. In fact, Rasputin encouraged Alexandra to address the food shortages in Petrograd during the war, aware of the suffering of the peasants. The Russian Revolution was the process by which the government was overthrown and replaced with a new government. The orchestration of the Red Terror, which lasted until the end of the Russian civil war, was assigned to Cheka (a Bolshevik police organisation that reported to Lenin himself on all anti-communist activities), thereby laying the foundations for the emergence of a full-fledged police state under Stalinism.