Soviet Russia: 1917 Revolution, Leaders, and Cultural Impact

Russie Revolution of 1917

A pivotal event that led to the fall of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union.

February (March) Revolution

Overthrew the imperial government and resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of a Provisional Government.

October (November) Revolution

Placed the Bolsheviks in power and established a socialist government based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism.

Bread, Peace Land

Slogan used by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution.

Bolsheviks

Members of the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic party.

Marxism-Leninism

A political ideology that combines Karl Marx's theory of class struggle and revolution with Vladimir Lenin's strategies for achieving and maintaining a socialist state.

Julian Calendar

Calendar system used by Russians until 1918, which is why there are two dates for the revolutions.

Murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his Family

Executed on July 17, 1918, in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Romanov family

Nicholas II, Alexandra, Olga, Maria, Alexei, and Tatiana were moved from Tobolsk to the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg in April/May 1918.

Vladimir Lenin

Revolutionary and political theorist who masterminded the Bolshevik takeover of power in Russia in 1917.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, established on December 30, 1922.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the USSR from 1929 to 1953 who transformed the country into a military superpower through brutal repression.

Leon Trotsky

Founder of the Red Army.

The Great Purge

A brutal campaign of political repression orchestrated by Joseph Stalin between 1936 and 1938.

The Holodomor

Man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine from 1932-1933 that killed 5-7 million Ukrainians, recognized by many nations as genocide.

Genocide

Deliberate murder by hunger involving grain seizures, village blockades, and repression during the Holodomor.

Totalitarian rule

A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.

Mass purges

Systematic elimination of political rivals and perceived enemies, particularly under Stalin.

Gulag labor camps

Prison camps in the Soviet Union where millions were imprisoned and forced to work under brutal conditions.

Provisional Government

Temporary government formed after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II during the February Revolution.

Marx's theory of class struggle

The idea that society is in a state of perpetual conflict due to competition for limited resources.