Russian Revolution: From Tsarist Rule to USSR

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 in History

In 1917, the Russian Empire underwent a revolutionary process that ended the autocratic government of Tsar Nicholas II.

The Fall of Tsarist Russia

Causes of the Revolution

  • Autocratic Government: The Tsar had unlimited power and authority.
  • Semi-Feudal Economy: Agricultural land was owned by a wealthy minority and worked by a peasant majority.
  • Social Unrest: The power of Tsar Nicholas II decreased.
  • Russo-Japanese War: They fought for control of Manchuria.
  • Emergence of Political Parties:
    • The Constitutional Democratic Party: They had liberal ideals and represented landowners and the middle class.
    • The Socialist Workers’ Party: They had Marxist ideals and were divided into two groups:
      • The Mensheviks (minority): Believed Russia was not ready for revolution, as the working class was too weak, and advocated for a liberal regime. Their leader was Kerensky.
      • The Bolsheviks (majority): Advocated for moving directly from the Tsarist regime to a proletariat dictatorship. Their leader was Lenin.
    • The Socialist Revolutionary Party: They had socialist ideals but were not Marxist (wanted a peasant revolution to end Tsarist rule).

In 1905, the Russian Rebellion (Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg) led to an imperial agreement on elections to the State Duma. In 1914, Germany declared war on Russia, which was allied with Serbia.

The 1917 Revolution

In 1917, a revolution took place in two phases: the liberal-bourgeois and the social-proletarian.

February Revolution

There was a successful revolution of workers supported by soldiers and peasants. The Tsar was forced to abdicate, and a provisional government was formed, led by Alexander Kerensky. The new government proclaimed Russia a republic and began a democratic regime. The provisional government failed because they did not keep their promises. A parallel government was created, led by the Petrograd Soviet.

October Revolution

Lenin became Russia’s leader, and when he died (1924), Stalin succeeded him.

  • Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: Russia withdrew from the war and agreed to give territory to Germany.
  • Communist Party: Became the only legal political party.
  • Third International: Formed to coordinate all the communist parties around the world.

In January 1918, a civil war broke out in Russia.

The Creation of the USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was created, establishing a new territorial organization and governmental institutions.

Political Organization

Marxist ideas were put into practice with the establishment of a proletarian dictatorship. Political power was held by the Soviets, which had the power to make laws and choose the people who held executive power.

Economy

Lenin was forced to postpone the implementation of socialism due to the civil war. He introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP), incorporating some capitalist systems, while the state controlled the important sectors.

Territorial Organization

The USSR was a federal state. The federal system resolved problems by respecting the autonomy and rights of its constituent republics.

The Economy in the Inter-War Period

Post-War Crisis

  • High levels of debt: Once the war ended, loans had to be repaid (for items such as food and military equipment).
  • Shortage of products: Due to the destruction of agricultural areas, leading to an increase in prices.

Recovery in the 1920s

This situation enabled the United States to help European countries emerge from the economic crisis.