Russian Revolution

Sovnarkom

Sovnarkom

The executive body established by the Bolsheviks to consolidate their control, consisting of the Politburo, Orgburo, and Secretariat.

Decree on Peace

• 26th Oct

• Promising an end to WWI

• boosted Bolshevik popularity

• gave the economy time to recover

Decree on Land

• Redistribution of land to peasants

• Ensured that the Bolsheviks could gain peasant support

Decree on Eight-Hour Working Day

• 29th Oct

• Improved conditions for workers and furthered support

State Capitalism

A compromise of Marxist ideology, utilizing capitalist methods within a socialist setting, as advocated by Lenin.

• encouraged closely controlled entrepreneurialism

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The treaty that withdrew Russia from World War I resulted in:

• loss of territory in Ukraine, Poland, Finland and Baltic countries

• Yielded a loss of 40% of food production and 89% of coal production

Constituent Assembly

The assembly that was dismissed by the Bolsheviks after they walked out due to disappointment with the election results

• Bolsheviks only won 24% of votes

Civil War

A conflict that erupted after the Bolshevik seizure of power, fueled by the closure of the Constituent Assembly and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Red Army

The army that emerged during the Civil War, influenced by Trotsky's leadership, unity, Cheka's terror, and central control.

Trotsky

Appointed as war commissar during the Civil War, he expanded the Red Army, maintained discipline, used propaganda, and ensured centralized command.

The Whites

The opposition forces in the Civil War, led by former Russian army officers and supported by various groups, but weakened by lack of unified leadership and varied interests.

Foreign Intervention

Inconsistent attempts by foreign powers to intervene in the Russian Civil War, ultimately failing due to lack of unity and Russian opposition which found intervention to be deeply unpopular.

• UK, USA, France and Japan resented Russia for withdrawal and supported the Whites

Polish-Soviet War

Began Febuary 1919 with a ceasefire declared in 1920, until peace was made in the Treaty of Riga in 1921.

• conflict between Poland and the Soviets over the control of territories

• Soviets wanted to spark global revolution and advance their ideals deep into Europe but needed Polish territory to do so

• Poland fought mainly out of desperation

The Cheka

Established in response to threats, this secret police force played a crucial role in crushing Bolshevik opposition and expanded its powers during the civil war

• Led by Felix Dzerzhinsky who was firm on sanctions, saw corrupt members executed and operated on a strong moral compass

• Powers expanded following the Decree of Red Terror on September 5th

• During the civil war the Cheka executed an estimated 140,000 and killed another 140,000 during a White uprising

White Terror

Involved the execution of peasant leaders, land redistribution to the gentry, suppression of worker strikes through indiscriminate shootings, and the targeting of Jewish communities, resulting in the murder of approximately 150,000 Jews

Red Terror

Implemented by the Cheka under Bolshevik rule, was a campaign characterized by mass killings, torture, and executions aimed at suppressing opposition, protecting the revolution, and establishing control during the Russian Civil War

War Communism

Economic policy implemented by the Bolsheviks during the Civil War, characterized by state-controlled economy, grain requisitioning, nationalization of industries, and militarization of workplaces, but resulting in decline in production, famine, and peasant discontent.

• June 28th Decree on Nationalising Industry

• Grain requisitioning was carried out by Soviet officials backed by the Red Army

• 10 million deaths during the war period, 9.5 million resulted from famine and disease whereas 350,000 died in actual combat. Meaning 95% of deaths were a consequence of disease and famine in the civil war

May 13th Decree on Food Procurement

allowed grain requisitioning

War communism was driven by practical…

…necessity as opposed to ideological principle

New Economic Policy (NEP)

Introduced by Lenin to stabilize the economy after War Communism, it marked a shift towards limited private trade, reduced taxes, monetary wages, and minor economic ties with other countries.

Scissors Crisis

A crisis in 1923 when industrial prices rose and agricultural prices fell, leading to decreased sales of produce and a return to subsistence farming, impacting peasant incomes and the economy.

Industrialization and Economic Dependency

The reliance on agriculture and resource exports in the Russian economy, benefiting the bourgeoisie more than the populace.

Defeat in the Crimean War

The loss highlighted the need for economic advancement in Russia

Sergei Witte’s Reforms

Reforms focused on rapid industrialization, railway upgrades, and economic stabilization, but resulted in unequipped cities and dependence on foreign investment

Russo-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese Wars were initiated by Nicholas II's overconfident approach and poorly trained army, leading to defeat and loss of morale

Protest outside the Winter Palace

Bloody Sunday refers to the imperial guards firing upon unarmed, peaceful protestors outside the Winter Palace, 9th Jan 1905

Impact of Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday transformed the Tsar's image from 'Little Father' to 'Bloody Nicholas,' triggering strikes and unrest

Response to Strikes

The October Manifesto was the Tsar's attempt to appease workers' demands, granting civil liberties and creating the Duma.

Limited Impact of October Manifesto

The promises made in the October Manifesto were seen as superficial and lacking genuine reform due to the Tsar's reluctance to grant the Duma actual power

Electoral Laws

The Duma Years saw restricted voting rights through electoral laws, excluding the majority of the population

Stolypin's Policies

Stolypin aimed to strengthen autocracy and suppressed opposition through force during the Duma Years

• His goal was to stem the revolution and strengthen autocracy

• Executed 3000 peasants in Stolypins Necktie

War Impact on the Tsarist regime

Russia's involvement in WWI resulted in a poorly equipped army, economic strain, political dissent, and loss of faith in the Tsarist regime.

Leadership Failures during WWI

Incompetent generals, poor military decisions, unequipped armies and economic turmoil contributed to the leadership failures during WWI

Febuary Revolution

8-12 March 1917

A chaotic affair which brought the 3 century Romanov rule to an end.

What triggered the Feb Rev?

• Widespread discontent

• No faith left in the Tsar

• Inept leadership in WWI

• Involving Russia in WWI

• Tsarina’s leadership

• Tsarina & Rasputin

• Fundamental Laws

Formation of Dual Power

The February Revolution resulted in the establishment of the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet, creating a dual authority.

Provisional Government

Fragile control, introduced reforms but lacked public endorsement during the period of dual authority.

Petrograd Soviet

Gained influence and issued orders undermining the authority of the Provisional Government during the period of dual authority.

June Offensive

Kerensky hopes to revitalise patriotism and launch an offensive, trying to recreate the success of Brusilov in 1916. However, he fails and they lose 400,000 men in the first 2 weeks and 1 million desert the army by the end of the year

July Days

Anti-war protests during the July Days temporarily caused a temporary loss of support for the Bolsheviks. Kerensky tried to further morale by touring the war front

• PG also accused Bol of being a German plot and arrests 800 Bolsheviks

Kornilov Affair

General Kornilov is dismissed by Kerensky and attempts to launch a coup with troops. Kerensky relies on the Bolsheviks for assistance and arms the RGs with rifles and weapons- the RGs defend the city.

• PG is humiliated for not being able to defend itself and control the military

• Bolsheviks regain support and popularity

• Bolsheviks use their arms to assist them in the October revolution to overthrow the PG

October Revolution

a 10 day revolution where Lenin secretly returned to Russia and organised a takeover

• Kerensky tries to take action against Bolsheviks

• Lenin responds with a coup, RG captures bridges and telecommunications and attack Winter palace

• the PG is confined to the Winter palace and Kerensky flees

• RGs invade Winter palace

• Bolsheviks announce their government

• Lenin announces Sovnarkom on 27th October