APEURO UNIT 8 Russian Revolution

Revolution of 1905

A rebellion in Russia sparked by discontent with Tsarist autocracy, leading to limited reforms but ultimately failing to bring about significant change

Nicholas II

The last Emperor of Russia, whose reign witnessed the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the outbreak of the Russian Revolution; his incompetency led to heightened discontent in Russia, leading to the Russian Revolution

March Revolution

A significant uprising in March 1917 that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, resulting in the establishment of a provisional government in Russia called the Duma; factory workers (particularly women) took to the streets to protest bread shortages/expensiveness

Duma

The elected legislative body in Russia that was established after the Revolution of 1905 and reconvened after the March Revolution which aimed to provide a degree of political representation and reform under the Tsarist regime.

Marxist Social Democratic Party

A political party in Russia that aimed to promote socialism through the works of Karl Marx, leading to the eventual split into the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

Mensheviks

The faction of the Marxist Social Democratic Party in Russia that advocated for a more moderate approach to socialist reform and was characterized by a broader base and support for gradual change.

Bolsheviks

The faction of the Marxist Social Democratic Party in Russia that embraced a more radical approach to socialism, advocating for a swift overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Vladimir Lenin

A revolutionary leader and the primary figure in the Bolshevik faction of the Marxist Social Democratic Party. He played a crucial role in the October Revolution of 1917 and served as the first head of the Soviet state.

April Theses

A series of political statements and directives issued by Vladimir Lenin in April 1917, which called for the transfer of power to the soviets, immediate peace, and the end of participation in World War I.

Leon Trotsky

A Marxist revolutionary and key leader in the Bolshevik Party, he served as the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and later as the commander of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

New Economic Policy

An economic policy initiated by Lenin in 1921, aimed at rebuilding the Soviet economy by introducing partial market reforms and allowing private ownership of small businesses.

Soviets

Workers' councils that played a key role in the Russian Revolution, providing a grassroots form of governance and representation for the working class.

Alexander Kerensky

A key political figure during the Russian Revolution, he served as the Minister of War and later as the head of the provisional government, advocating for democratic reforms and reviving Russia’s capacity to fight in WWI until his government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks.

Treaty of Brest-Livovsk

The peace treaty signed in March 1918 between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers, which ended Russia's involvement in World War I and ceded significant territory to Germany.

Comintern

An organization founded in 1919 to promote worldwide communism and coordinate actions of communist parties across different countries.

Communism

a term adopted by the Bolsheviks as they viewed Socialism to be too moderate, reform-minded, compromise-oriented, and democratic

Red Terror

a campaign of political repression and violence initiated by the Bolshevik government during the Russian Civil War, targeting perceived enemies of the state.

White Movement

a loose coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces that opposed the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, comprising monarchists, liberals, and various nationalist groups.

Red Army

the military forces of the Bolshevik government under Trotsky that fought against anti-Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War, emphasizing communism

Chekha

the secret police organization established by the Bolsheviks in 1917 to combat counter-revolutionaries and maintain state security.

White Army

the military wing of the White Movement that fought against the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, including various anti-Bolshevik factions.

Green Army

a peasant army formed during the Russian Civil War that resisted both the Bolsheviks and the White Army, often fighting for local autonomy and against grain requisitioning; the Reds promoted rule by elites instead of by the working class

Kronstadt

A major naval base in Russia, known for the Kronstadt Rebellion of 1921 where sailors revolted against Bolshevik policies, demanding more political freedom and improved social conditions.

Joseph Stalin

an up-and-coming Bolshevik activist following the Russian Revolution who helped forge the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Alexandra Kollontai

a prominent Bolshevik revolutionary and the first woman to serve as a minister in the USSR, known for her advocacy of women's rights and social welfare initiatives.

Sergei Eisenstein

a pioneering Soviet film director and film theorist, known for his influential works such as "Battleship Potemkin" and his development of montage techniques in cinema; produced classic celebrations of ordinary people