Russian Revolution (Ch30, Sec1-2)
What type of rule did Czars enforce?
Autocratic rule: harsh, strict.
Establishment of the Communist Party:
Bolshevik leaders say nationalism as a threat to unity and party loyalty. Lenin organized Russia into several self-governing republics under control of the central gov't. Country was renames "The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" or USSR. The Bolsheviks renamed their party the Communist party. Followed the writings of Karl Marx. In 1924, the Communists created a constitution based on socialist and democratic principals. In reality, the Communist Party held all power.
Who was Nikita Khrushchev?
Dominant Soviet leader after Stalin died. He was shrewd and tough and he denounced Stalin for jailing and killing loyal Soviet citizens. His speech signaled the start of a policy called destalinization, purging the country of Stalin's memory. His monuments were destroyed.
Who was Nicholas II?
Helped industrialize, but didn't help working conditions Lost Russo-Japanese War Nicholas incompetent as general, blamed from Russian defeat
Describe the formation of the Bolshevik
In 1903, Russian Marxists split into two groups over revolutionary tactics. The more moderate Mensheviks wanted a broad base of popular support for the revolution. Bolsheviks were the more radical ones who supported a small number of committed revolutionaries willing to sacrifice everything for change. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was their leader. Adopted name of Lenin. He was an excellent organizer and was ruthless. Was exiled to Germany
What was the New Economic Policy?
In March 1921, Lenin put in reforms to allow peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning them over to the gov't. Th gov't kept control over major industries, banks, and means of communication, but it let some smaller businesses and factories and farms operate under private ownership.
What was the 1905 Revolution?
Jan 22, 1905: 200,000 workers and families approached the czar's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The carried a petition asking for better wages and working conditions, more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. Nicholas II's generals ordered soldiers to fire on the crowd. 1000 wounded and several hundred killed. Event was named "Bloody Sunday". It provoked a wave of strikes and violence that spread across the country. Nicholas II reluctantly promised more freedom and approved the creation of the Duma.- Russia's first parliament in May 1906.
Who was Alexander Kerensky?
Leader of the provisional gov't. Decided to continue fighting in WWI. Lost a lot of support. Russian conditions worsened. Angry peasants demanded land, city workers grew more radical. Socialist revolutionaries competed for power and formed soviets.
Who was Joseph Stalin?
Leon Trotsky was the successor that Lenin had chosen to take over after he died. Stalin ended up taking over instead, murdering Trotsky. Advisor to Lenin Slowly concentrated power, drove out competitors Succeeded Lenin in 1928 Used absolute power aggressively Secret police Censorship and propaganda Great Purge of political opponents- 8-13 million killed Five-Year Plans Forced collectivization of farms and rapid industrialization Modernized USSR, but caused hardship for people
What was the Feb/Mar Revolution of 1917?
March 1917: women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. Riots flared up over break and fuel shortages. Nearly 200,000 workers swarmed the streets shouting "Down with the autocracy". The soldiers later sided with them. The protest turned into a general uprising. It forced Czar Nicholas II to abdicate his throne. a year later he was executed. Leaders of the Duma established a provisional gov't headed by Alexander Kerensky.
What reforms did Lenin make?
New Economic Policy Allowed peasants and small businesses to sell their surplus Helped country recover after war Opposed nationalism, divided Russia into self-governing republics led by central gov't Called new nation Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Renamed Bolsheviks the Communist Party, which took absolute control of USSR
Russia's World War 1
Nicholas II decided to drag Russia into WW1. Russia was unprepared to handle the high costs; they had weak generals and poorly equipped troops. Russia's involvement in WW1 revealed the weaknesses of czarist rule. Nicholas's wife handled gov't while he was at war, and because a "holy man" who claimed to have magical healing powers name Rasputin seemed to help her hemophiliac son, she let him make key political decisions. He gave his friends high power statuses. A group of nobles murdered Rasputin because they feared his increasing role in gov't. On the war front, Russia wasn't doing great. Food and fuel supplies dwindled and prices were wildly inflated. People wanted an end to the war.
What was the October/November Revolution? (1917)
November 1917 (October in Russian calendars) Lenin returns in 1917, Bolsheviks overthrow provisional gov't Russia withdraws from WWI Civil War Red Army was the Bolsheviks (communist color) "White Army" opposed Bolsheviks, but lacked unity. Many nationalities and beliefs in the White Army, and they often fought each other 1918-1920: 14 million Russians killed in fighting and hunger Bolsheviks won, Lenin becomes new leader of Russia
What was the Bolsheviks slogan?
Peace, Land, Bread
What was the Russo-Japanese War?
Russia and Japan competed for control of Korea and Manchuria. The two nations signed an agreement over the lands, but Russia broke them. Japan retaliated by attacking the Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria, in Feb. 1904. This sparked unrest at home and led to a revolt in the midst of the war.
Russia's rapid industrialization of the 1890's:
Russia lagged behind western Europe. Nicholas II launched program to move the country forward. Russia became 4th ranked producer of steel. Also made the Trans-Siberian Railway. The rapid industrialization stirred discontent among Russia's people. Factories brought new problems; working conditions, low wages, child labor. Workers organized strikes. Several revolutionary movements began to grow and compete for power. Followed views of Karl Marx, workers overthrow owners.
What was the Russian Civil War?
Russia's opponents at home formed the White Army. It was made up of very different groups: some wanted democracy, others wanted czar rule, and some who just opposed Lenin's style of socialism. Only the desire to defeat the Bolsheviks united the white army. The groups fought with each other and barely cooperated. The leader of the Bolshevik Red Army was Leon Trotsky. Russia's civil war was deadly: 14 million Russians died in the 3 year struggle and in the famine that followed. Russia was in chaos. The Red Army won, crushing all opposition.
Who was Grigori Rasputin?
Self-proclaimed mystic Confidant of Czarina Alexandra Given political influence, discrediting gov't Told Nicholas to go to the front lines
Who were the Bolshevik Party?
Split from Marxists Radical revolutionaries Led by Vladimir llyich Lenin, who was later exiled to Germany
What was the Great Purge?
Stalin turned against members of the Communist party in 1934. 3 years later, he launched the Great Purge, a campaign of terror directed at eliminating anyone who threatened his powers. 8-13 million died from executions or labor camps.
What were Stalin's Five-Year Plans?
Stalin wanted to gain complete control of society and overhaul the economy. He set impossibly high quotas (goals) to increase output of steel, coal, oil, and electricity. The gov't limited production of consumer goods. People faced severe food, housing, and clothing shortages.These methods produced impressive economic results. Soviets made substantial gains.
Who was Alexander III?
Succeeded his father in 1881. He believed in autocracy, form of gov't where he had total power. He used harsh measured and imposed strict censorship codes on published materials and written documents. Had secret police. He oppressed other national groups within Russia. Made Russian the official language and forbade minority languages.
What was The Duma?
The 1905 Revolution sparked the creation of the Duma- Russia's first parliament. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. Nicholas II didn't want to share his power and dissolved the Duma after 10 weeks.