Notes on The Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union Ch. 17

Chapter 17: The Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union

A. Introduction: Comparison of Russian and French Revolutions

  • Similarities:

    • Both revolutions aimed for liberation against feudalism/despotism (France) and capitalism/imperialism (Russia).
    • Both emphasized international implications and drew attention from other nations.
    • Resulted in negative reactions from existing powers.
    • Initial unity in overthrowing old regimes transitioned into conflict over societal restructuring, leading to minority suppression of opposition.
    • Revolutionary leaders often faced execution or repression.

  • Differences:

    • Russia was economically and socially backward compared to advanced France.
    • The French Revolution largely stemmed from the middle class, whereas the Russian Revolution radicalized to involve workers and peasants.
    • The French Revolution was a spontaneous movement, but the Russian was orchestrated by pro-revolutionaries.
    • Post-French Revolution was marked by compromise, while the Russian Revolution resulted in the eradication of opposition.
    • The Russian Revolution had profound repercussions, feeding European anti-capitalist sentiment and influencing colonized nations by opposing imperialism.
B. Russia After 1881: Reaction and Progress

  1. Post-Alex II Era:

    • Following the assassination of Alexander II in 1881, repression escalated under Alexander III:

      • Revolutionaries faced exile, and pogroms against Jews increased.
      • Systematic Russification initiated by Pobiedonostsev, emphasizing Slavic exceptionalism.

    • Despite repression, cultural and scientific advancements thrived with notable figures like Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky.

    • Between 1881 and 1914, significant capital investment infused $4 billion into infrastructure, doubling railway mileage and drastically increasing exports/imports.

    • Both bourgeoisie and proletariat expanded; however, workers endured poor conditions without unions.

  2. Agricultural Reality:

    • Predominantly agricultural society with 4/5 of workers on the land, facing high taxes and redemption fees.
    • Peasant demands for land intensified, especially from kulaks who were increasingly resented.
C. The Emergence of Revolutionary Parties

  1. Peasant and Intelligentsia Dynamics:

    • Peasant discontent simmered from 1870-1900 while a revolutionary intelligentsia emerged.
      • Confronted by czarist agents, revolutionary efforts were often thwarted.
      • Debate on revolutionary leadership focus: peasants vs. urban workers, leads to formation of the Social Revolutionary Party in 1901.

  2. Russian Social Democratic Party Formation:

    • Plekhanov and Axelrod, initially populists, migrated towards Marxism leading to the establishment of the Russian Social Democratic Party.
    • Key figures like Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin emerged, advocating for a proletarian-led revolution, contrasting with the SRs' populist focus.

  3. Bolshevik-Menshevik Split:

    • The 1903 Congress resulted in a split, with Lenin advocating for a tightly controlled party elite (Bolsheviks) and the Mensheviks favoring a broader, democratic approach.

  4. Lenin's Contributions:

    • Introduced the concept of imperialism as an extension of monopoly capitalism, linking it to war and revolution opportunities for the proletariat.
    • Scorned revisionism; emphasized agitation and activism, promoting a vanguard party.
92. The Revolution of 1905
A. Background and Revolutionary Events

  1. Growing discontent led to the rise of the KDs, SDs, and SRs, culminating in worker strikes and peasant insurrections.

    • Nicholas II's autocratic reign spurred unrest; Bloody Sunday ignited widespread protests and political strikes.

  2. The October Manifesto introduced some reforms but ultimately weakened the government as it failed to quell further revolutionary spirit despite establishing a constitutional monarchy.

B. Results of 1905: The Duma
  • Duma held minimal power; majority Boycotts and political opposition complicated governance.
  • Attempts at reforms under Stolypin aimed to stabilize but were met with mixed results.
C. The Stolypin Reforms
  • Aimed to weaken revolutionary factions by giving zemstvos more power and removing redemption payments.
  • Continued poverty and land hunger persisted in rural areas despite efforts.
93. The Revolution of 1917
A. End of Tsardom: March Revolution

  1. National dissatisfaction surged during WWI, compounded by government ineffectiveness.

    • Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin's influence amplified public distrust.

  2. Food shortages led to mass uprisings, culminating in the abdication of Nicholas II and the birth of the Provisional Government.

B. The Bolshevik Revolution: November 1917
  1. Rapid unrest during the summer, alongside Lenin’s return and decisive Bolshevik actions led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government.
    • Key slogans of “Peace, Land, Bread” resonated with the masses.
  2. The congress established a new government under Bolshevik control post-revolution.
C. The New Regime: The Civil War, 1914-1922
  1. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk led to loss of significant territory but aimed for consolidation of power amid impending civil war.
  2. Bolsheviks faced a coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces (Whites) with outside intervention.=
  3. Trotsky shaped the disciplined Red Army to combat against various factions effectively.
  4. By 1922, Bolsheviks centralized control over former Tsarist lands, despite heavy loss of life.
94. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
A. Government Structure and Nationalities
  1. Formation as a federal republic addressed diverse nationalities and languages, but real power remained with the central authority.
  2. Political structure remained under the party's control, often neglecting minority grievances.
B. Government: State and Party Parallelism
  1. The Soviet system ensured party dominance over state operations, with elected councils at various levels, although actual democratic processes were limited.
  2. A strict adherence to the Party line suppressed dissent and creativity within the governance framework.
C. The New Economic Policy (NEP)
  1. Following a famine due to the earlier War Communism, NEP encouraged limited private trade to revive the economy while attempting to manage agricultural production.
  2. NEP led to a temporary stabilization and prosperity, restoring agricultural and industrial output.
D. Stalin’s Rise and Policies
  1. Stalin's leadership post-Lenin marked rapid industrialization through Five-Year Plans, focusing on agriculture collectivization.
    • Brutal measures to eliminate kulaks led to significant human costs but aimed to transform the Soviet economy drastically.
    • Industrialization progressed, but often at the expense of efficiency and worker welfare.
  2. A climate of terror ensued during the political purges, leading to the execution of dissenters and establishment of a command economy.
  3. Internal party disagreements led to purges in the late 1930s, reinforcing Stalin's totalitarian control over the USSR.