Russian Revolution and the Rise of the Soviet Union

A collection of vocabulary flashcards designed to aid in understanding key terms and concepts related to the Russian Revolution, the rise of the Soviet Union, and subsequent historical developments.

Russian Revolution

A period of political unrest and upheaval in Russia that resulted in the overthrow of the Tsar and the establishment of a communist government.

Tsar Alexander II

The ruler of Russia from 1855 to 1881, known for enacting reforms and the Emancipation Manifesto, which abolished serfdom.

Serfdom

A socio-economic system in which peasants were tied to the land and under the control of landowners.

Emancipation Manifesto

A decree issued in 1861 by Tsar Alexander II that abolished serfdom in Russia.

Zemstvos

Local councils established in 1864 that represented various social classes in governance.

Soviet

An elected workers' council in revolutionary Russia.

Intelligentsia

Educated individuals and thinkers in Russia advocating for social change and reform.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often in opposition to the elite.

Bolsheviks

A Marxist faction led by Lenin that seized power in the October Revolution of 1917.

Mensheviks

A faction of the Russian socialist movement that favored gradual reforms and opposed Bolshevik tactics.

Marxism

A socio-economic theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx advocating for the working class uprising and communism.

October Manifesto

A document issued by Tsar Nicholas II in 1905 that promised civil rights and the establishment of a Duma.

Duma

The legislative assembly in Russia, created after the 1905 Revolution.

Bloody Sunday

A massacre of peaceful protesters in 1905 that led to widespread unrest in Russia.

Provisional Government

A temporary government formed after the abdication of the Tsar in 1917, ultimately overthrown by the Bolsheviks.

Dual Power

The coexistence of the Provisional Government and the Soviet following the February Revolution in 1917.

Lenin's April Theses

A series of directives issued by Lenin in April 1917 calling for the Bolsheviks to seize power.

Red Guards

Paramilitary groups of Bolsheviks organized to defend the revolution and assist in the October seizure of power.

White Army

Opponents of the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, representing various anti-Bolshevik forces.

Civil War in Russia

Conflict from 1917 to 1922 between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

A peace treaty signed in March 1918 between the Bolshevik government and the Central Powers, ending Russia's participation in WWI.

Cheka

The Bolshevik secret police established to suppress dissent and counter-revolutionary activities.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or military force.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned.

Capitalism

An economic system in which private individuals own and control property and businesses.

Russification

Policies aimed at establishing Russian language and culture among non-Russian populations.

Nationalism

A strong identification with and support for one's nation, often at the expense of other nations.

Petr Stolypin

Prime minister of Russia known for his agricultural reforms and attempts to stabilize the country.

Glasnost

A policy of openness and transparency adopted by Gorbachev in the 1980s to encourage freedom of expression.

Perestroika

A policy of economic restructuring implemented by Gorbachev to modernize the Soviet economy.

De-Stalinization

The process of political reform initiated by Khrushchev to dismantle the cult of personality surrounding Stalin.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Iron Curtain

A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the ideological divide between the Western and Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 among Western allies.

Detente

The easing of political tensions between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Glasnost

A policy of greater openness in government and society introduced by Gorbachev.

Perestroika

Economic restructuring in the Soviet Union to encourage more market-oriented reforms.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

A political and economic alliance formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Oligarch

A wealthy business leader with significant political influence, especially in post-Soviet Russia.

Shock Therapy

A rapid transition from a state-controlled to a market-oriented economy in post-Soviet Russia.

Putinism

The political system characterized by the centralization of power under Vladimir Putin.

Crimea

A strategically important peninsula that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Orange Revolution

A series of protests and political events in Ukraine in 2004 following a disputed presidential election.

Post-Cold War

The period after the Cold War, marked by a shift in international relations.

Terrorism in Imperial Russia

Political violence used against the Tsarist regime, including attempts to assassinate Tsar Alexander II.

Socialism

A political and economic theory advocating for state or community ownership and governance of resources.

Independence Movement

Efforts by countries or regions to gain autonomy or outright independence from a ruling government.

Russian Civil War

A conflict (1917-1922) between the Bolsheviks and their opponents that resulted in the establishment of the Soviet Union.

World War I

A global conflict from 1914 to 1918 that significantly affected Russia and led to the Russian Revolution.

Famine of 1891-1892

A severe famine in Russia that resulted in significant peasant deaths and highlighted the inefficacy of the government.

Russian Revolution of 1917

A series of events in 1917 that led to the abdication of the Tsar and the eventual rise of the Bolsheviks.

Anti-Bolshevik

Referring to individuals, groups, or governments opposed to the Bolshevik policies and revolution.

Soviet System

The government and economic system in the Soviet Union characterized by state ownership and centralized planning.

Yeltsin

The first President of Russia, serving from 1991 to 1999, known for his role in the transition from Soviet rule.

Gorbachev

The final leader of the Soviet Union, whose reforms led to the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the USSR.

Imperial Russia

The period of Russian history when it was ruled by emperors before the 1917 revolution.

Social Democrats

A political party in Russia that had a Marxist orientation, eventually splitting into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

Khrushchev

Soviet leader known for de-Stalinization and for confrontational policies during the Cold War.

Post-Soviet Russia

The period following the collapse of the Soviet Union characterized by political and economic transformation.

Bolshevik Revolution

The October Revolution of 1917 that led to the establishment of a communist government in Russia.

Moscow Olympics 1980

An international sporting event that was boycotted by many countries in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Dzerzhinsky

Founder of the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police, symbolizing state security in Soviet Russia.

Economic Collapse of 1998

The financial crisis in Russia that led to a severe economic downturn and a devaluation of the ruble.

Ukraine Conflict

Ongoing military and political tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly after the annexation of Crimea.

USSR Dissolution

The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 into 15 independent republics.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States from 1947 to 1991.

Modern Russia

Current Russian Federation characterized by a centralized government and ongoing regional conflicts.

International Relations

The study of the relationships and interactions between countries.

Siberian Siberia

A vast region in Russia, known for its harsh climate and important natural resources.

Lebensraum

Nazi plan for territorial expansion in Eastern Europe, directly opposed by Soviet interests in the region.

Chechnya Conflict

Ongoing wars and political strife between the Russian government and Chechen separatists.

Ukrainian Crisis

A political and civil crisis in Ukraine that has significant implications for Russian and European relations.

Revolutionary Ideas

Concepts promoting radical change in governance and social structures, often associated with Marxism.

Popular Discontent

The general dissatisfaction of the population with their governance and socio-economic conditions.

Liberalism in Russia

Intellectual and political movements advocating for democratic reforms and civil liberties.

Socio-Economic Inequality

Disparities in wealth and access to resources within a society.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Post-Communist Russia

The era following the fall of the Soviet Union, characterized by significant political and economic change.

Historical Significance

The importance of past events in shaping current social, political, and economic landscapes.

Western Imperialism

The policy and practice of Western powers exerting control over other countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Political Suppression

The act of silencing opposition and restricting political freedoms by force.

Cultural Nationalism

The promotion of a nation's culture as a means of asserting national identity and autonomy.

Market Economy

An economic system where prices and production of goods are determined by supply and demand.

Economic Globalization

The increasing movement of goods, services, and capital across borders.

Political Revolution

A significant change in political power or organizational structures, often through radical means.

Transitional Politics

A phase in which a government is changing from one political regime to another.

Historical Context

The circumstances or conditions that influence and shape an event or period in history.