Key Events and Figures of the Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution of 1917
The Russian Revolution of 1917 unfolded during World War I, largely triggered by the imperial government’s inability to effectively manage the war effort under Tsar Nicholas II. This pivotal event comprised two distinct stages:
- February Revolution: Led to the collapse of the Tsarist autocracy, the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and the establishment of the Provisional Government.
- October Revolution: Saw the Bolsheviks seize power, leading to the Russian Civil War and ultimately the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
A significant underlying cause was the imperial government’s failure to implement crucial political and economic reforms.
Communism Defined
Communism is an economic and social system conceptualized by the 19th-century German scholar Karl Marx. In theory, it proposes that all means of production should be owned in common by the community, rather than by private individuals.
Dual Power in Revolutionary Russia
Dual Power refers to the unique political situation in Russia following the February Revolution, where two governing bodies coexisted: the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.
The Petrograd Soviet’s Role
The Petrograd Soviet was an influential body that predated the February Revolution, functioning as an underground revolutionary labor union for workers and soldiers in the Petrograd area. It comprised members from various political parties. During the February Revolution, its members seized the opportunity, declaring themselves a governing body of Russia. However, they soon found themselves in direct competition with the newly formed Provisional Government.
Lenin’s April Theses
The April Theses were a pivotal document published by Vladimir Lenin shortly after his return to Russia from exile in 1917. This document vehemently argued against any support for the Provisional Government, advocating for an immediate end to Russia’s involvement in World War I and calling for an expedited socialist revolution.
The Bolsheviks: Radical Revolutionaries
The Bolsheviks were a radical Marxist revolutionary faction formed in 1903, emerging from a split within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks championed an immediate socialist revolution and the establishment of a “dictatorship of the proletariat” as swiftly as possible.
Mensheviks: A Moderate Socialist Faction
The Mensheviks were a political group that also split from the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Less radical than the Bolsheviks, the Mensheviks advocated for a broader socialist party, open to all who wished to join, and organized and governed in a more democratic fashion.
Dictatorship of the Proletariat Explained
The Dictatorship of the Proletariat is a term describing the political system envisioned to emerge after a socialist revolution. In this system, representatives of the working class (proletariat) would assume control of the government, theoretically eradicating existing forms of democracy to make decisions solely for the benefit of the workers.
The Russian Duma (1906-1917)
The Duma served as the national parliament of Russia from 1906 to 1917. It was established by Tsar Nicholas II following the 1905 Revolution, though it ultimately exerted limited political influence throughout its existence.
The Kadets: Constitutional Democrats
Kadets is the abbreviated name for the Constitutional Democratic Party, a revolutionary party founded in 1905 and led by Pavel Milyukov. Its membership primarily consisted of middle-class professionals and some Zemstvo delegates. The Kadets’ primary objective was to replace Tsarism with either a liberal-democratic republic or a constitutional monarchy.
Alexander Kerensky: A Key Figure
Alexander Kerensky was a prominent member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party (SR) and an active participant in both the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. Initially, he served as a crucial liaison between these two governing bodies. Within the Provisional Government, he held significant roles, including Minister of Justice, Minister of War, and eventually Prime Minister. Following the October Revolution, Kerensky fled to the USA, where he later taught Russian History at Stanford University.
Vladimir Lenin: Architect of the October Revolution
Vladimir Lenin was the founder of the Bolshevik Party, the primary organizer of the October Revolution, and the first leader of the Soviet Union. He spent much of the early 20th century in exile across Europe. A devout follower of Marxism, Lenin firmly believed that a successful Communist revolution in Russia would inspire similar movements globally. While not directly involved in the February Revolution, he meticulously orchestrated the October Revolution, which ultimately transformed Russia into a Communist state.
Tsar Nicholas II: Russia’s Last Emperor
Nicholas II was the last Russian Tsar, reigning from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. He was widely perceived as a clumsy and ineffective leader, inheriting the throne after his father’s death. His government’s policies fueled widespread resentment among the Russian populace, contributing to events like the violence of 1905. Nicholas II formally abdicated on March 2, 1917. Tragically, in July 1918, the Bolsheviks executed the Tsar and his family.
Joseph Stalin: From Ally to Leader
Joseph Stalin was a significant Bolshevik leader who rose to prominence primarily after the February Revolution, playing a relatively minor role in the October Revolution itself. Vladimir Lenin initially regarded him as a powerful ally. Originating from a minority ethnic group, Stalin served as an “ambassador” or liaison between various Russian states, a role that contributed to his gradual growth in power. He notably held the position of Commissar of Nationalities.
Leon Trotsky: Architect of the Red Army
Leon Trotsky was a highly prominent Bolshevik leader and a key figure in the October Revolution. He was in exile during the February Revolution but returned to Russia in May 1917, joining the Bolshevik Party during the summer. Trotsky became the Head of the Military Revolutionary Committee, effectively serving as the “muscle” behind the October Revolution. He also held the crucial position of Commissar of Foreign Affairs, leading negotiations with Germany and Austria that resulted in the controversial Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.