Transcript Russian Revolution – 1917-1922

Russian Revolution – 1917-1922
• I. Background – Marxism
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A. Communist Manifesto (1848) by Marx (1818-1883)
and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895)
• Dialectal materialism – Communism is the final form of
government resulting from a historical progression. It is
capitalism’s successor.
• Surplus value theory – the proletariat can no longer use the
products of manufacture because the bourgeois capitalists
lower wages. Therefore, a revolution is inevitable and a
socialist government will be formed.
• Equality of classes will result from the abolishment of
private property.
Other Background pre-WWI
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A. Czar Alexander III, from 1881-1894, instituted policies of autocracy and
Russification (persecution of all non-Russians).
B. Political parties:
Constitutional Democrats (Cadets) – Reflected the middle class by not worrying
about the proletariat.
Social Revolutionaries (Narodniks) – Believed that the formations of capitalism was
not necessary for socialism to take hold (from agrarian system directly to
socialism).
Social Democrats (Marxists) – Adherents to Marxism. In 1903, the party split:
– Bolsheviks – small group of elite revolutionaries, led by V.I. Lenin, the “strong authority at the
top.” No toleration of varying opinions or cooperation with outside influences, unless
strategically used.
– Mensheviks – mild revolutionaries who favored a more democratic style (everyone has input).
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C. The Russians suffered a humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War
(1901).
Treaty of Portsmouth – Russia loses all land and rights in Manchuria, as well as
military strength. This allows the underground political parties to surface and the
Revolution of 1905 to begin.
Revolution of 1905
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A. Bloody Sunday (January 1905) – Father Gapon, a Russian
Orthodox priest, led 200,000 Russians on a peaceful march to the czar’s
Winter Palace. The czar’s troops fired on the demonstrators, killing
hundreds.
Soviets, or worker’s councils, formed and demanded reform.
Peasant uprisings (burning of manor houses and overrunning of lands)
B. October Manifesto – issued by Czar Nicholas II in response to a
massive strike by the Petrograd (St. Petersburg) Soviet. It promised the:
Results:
1) Development of a constitution.
2) Establishment of a Duma (legislature) to represent all classes.
3) Freedom of speech, assembly, association and conscience.
C. Peter Stolypin, the czar’s principal minister, initiated reforms:
4) Peasants can leave their land communes (mirs) and take land that is
rightfully theirs.