Russian Revolution and the Creation of the USSR
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION & THE CREATION OF THE USSR
Russia before the Revolution:
- Very extensive empire
- Limits in the West: Baltic Sea & Black Sea
- Limits in the East: Pacific Ocean
- Huge population, biggest in Europe, formed by multiple nationalities
- Economically, socially & politically backward
- Agrarian economy
- Most population were peasants, illiterate & many were still serfs
- Autocratic state ruled by TSARS of the Romanov dynasty
Causes of the Russian Revolution:
- Political discontent due to autocratic government
- Economic & social inequalities
- Double opposition from bourgeoisie and peasants/proletariat
REVOLUTION OF 1905:
- General discontent + military defeat against Japan
- Forced Tsar to introduce changes
- Creation of Parliament (Duma) and Constitution
- Autocracy remained
- Important consequences: broke bond with Tsar, radicalization of opposition
REVOLUTION OF 1917:
- General discontent + problems caused by WW1
1st) Bourgeois revolution (February 1917):
- Moderate reforms; supported Capitalism
- Protests over food scarcity in Petrograd
- Nicholas II forced to abdicate
- Liberal & bourgeois government took control
2nd) Bolshevik revolution (October 1917):
- Radical reforms; supported Communism
- Overthrew liberal & bourgeois government
- New government led by Lenin
- Measures undertaken by Bolsheviks
3rd) Civil War (1918 – 21):
- Red army (Bolsheviks) vs White army (counter-revolutionaries)
- Established economic policy “War Communism”
- Red Army’s victory consolidated Bolshevik revolution
LENIN’S GOVERNMENT (1921 – 24):
- Established a dictatorship
- Created the USSR
- Adopted New Economic Policy (NEP)
STALIN’S GOVERNMENT (1927 – 53):
- Totalitarian political system established
- Used state violence to purge society
- Established communist economy
ECONOMY IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD
Proposals for a solution:
- Each country tried to solve the crisis by its own formulas
- Majority adopted ideas of John Maynard Keynes
- US enacted New Deal
RISE OF TOTALITARIANISM
Characteristics:
- Authoritarian political system
- Militarism
- Ultra-nationalism
- Fanaticism
- Rejection of equality
- Social & economic control
FASCISM IN ITALY, Benito Mussolini:
- Causes
- Established dictatorship
- March on Rome
NAZISM IN GERMANY, Adolf Hitler:
- Foundation of Nazi Party
- Established Third Reich
WW2 (1939 – 1945)
The allies: UK France USSR USA vs The axis powers: Germany Italy Japan
Causes
- Treaty of Versailles
- Totalitarian regimes
- Economic crisis
Stages & events
- Victories of the Axis powers (1939 – 41)
- Victories of the Allies (1942 – 45)
Consequences
- Million deaths, wounded people, refugees, devastation
- Establishment of democracies in Germany & Italy
- New international order imposed
Peace after WW2
- Allies held several conferences
- Agreements reached
Definiciones
Bloody Sunday / Red Sunday: St. Petersburg. January 22nd, 1905
Soviets: councils of proletariats, peasants & soldiers
Gulag: system of forced labour camps
Hitler Youth: Indoctrinated children in Nazi ideology
OVRA: Secret police during Mussolini’s regime
Gestapo: Secret police in Nazi Germany
SS: Responsible for enforcing racial policy in Nazi Germany
Nuremberg Laws (1935): antisemitic laws in Nazi Germany
Pact of Steel (May 1939): Military alliance between Hitler & Mussolini
Blitzkrieg: Military tactic using tanks & planes