Summary
- The Tsar was forced to abdicate
Revolution +
Dictatorship Russia -
1917 -1953
- A Provisional Government was put in place EXPLANATION OF HOW THIS LED TO THE FAILURE OF PG EXPLANATION OF HOW THIS LED TO TH
- The Petrograd Soviet was formed - Petrograd’s Garrison units, 15 of the 18 declared allegiance to - Threat of being overthrown by deserters
- There was a ‘Dual Authority’ as both tried to run Soviet rather than the PG - Kerensky (PG) panicked, thought he was goi
the government together - Bolsh Revolution began 25th Oct- mutiny and armed revolution military dictatorship
- PG attempt to shut down two Bolshevik newspapers based in - Kerensky joined the PS- freed Bolsh + work
Petrograd
February Revolution 1917
Causes:
- Loss of the Russo-Japan war (1905), many saw the Tsar and EXPLANATION OF IMPORTANCE EXPLANATION OF IMPORTA
Russia as incopetent causing riots that were brutally suppressed - Trotsky used fears about Kerensky’s orders as a - Kornilov arrested- prevented militar
pretext to get the MRC ready for ‘defensive action’, in Kerensky seen as weak, easy to overth
by the army sparking mass civil unrest. (Bloody Sunday)
reality he was preparing for the MRC to seize power Bolsheviks
- WW1 as this lead to widespread famine lack of resources as
well as mass loss of life
- The Tsarina was also a cause for concern she was of German
and as the Tsar became Commander-in-Chief, it was left to her Role of Trotsky Kornilov Affair
to rule the country, many thought her loyalties lied with - Returned to Russia in May, had not committed himself to the - Prince Lvov resigns, Kerensky PM
Germany and that she was trying to sabotage Russia. Bolshevik cause - Brusilov replaced by Kornilov;
- Was elected to the Executive Committee of the All-Russian - Reintroduced death penalty for
Outcomes: Congress Soviets in June - Discontent continued- land, grai
- Shortly after the PG had been set up SR’s and other left wing - Accused of stirring up the July Days demonstration= = worthless, deserters continued
parties set up Soviets in response. The Soviets caused a power imprisoned (full-Bolsh) - Kornilov saw Bolsh as a socialist
struggle in Russia where both PG and Soviet would battle for - Assisted in the revolution, gained support by sending minor that you needed to get rid of soci
power over Russia. leaders to factories German spies?
- The Tsar was forced to abdicate causing a massive political drift - Started the Military Revolution Committee, Trotsky + - German forces advanced toward
with in Russia as they have just gone from a Monarchy to a Dzerzhinsky- (16th Oct- 66 members, 48 Bolsh) deserters fled there + panic
Democracy. This would end up causing further political unrest - Gained troops from the Smolny Institute= Mensh + SRs didn’t - Kornilov worried due to the thr
from Conservative and Monarchist groups. cooperate - Would march troops to prevent
Political Events
1917
The creation of Dual Authority (Prov Gov + Pet Sov, July Days Lenin's influenc
and issues with it): - Prince Lvov took a back seat (Kerensky was War Minister) - Since returning from
- Provisional Government- Temporary and elections would be held made PM of PG undermining the PG
as soon as possible for a new Constituent Assembly. - Encouraged continuation of conflict, dedication to the - The April Theses
- Petrograd Soviets- Mass of workers, soldiers and peasants- was nation, speeches to troops authority of the P
more than a democratic organisation. - June Offensive, attack on Brusilov against Germans; 400,000 abound on suppo
- Order No. 1- soldiers and workers should obey the Provisional dead, 170,000 destered, loss of will by Bolsh to fight - Lenin also encou
Government, but only when it aligned will what the Soviets agreed - Peasants seizing, spread of Soviets, Ukraine attempt to be newspapers acros
with. independent, Ministers resigned, PG offered independence Bolshevik popular
- When Prov Gov tried to discipline the soldiers for deserting, the - Large protests, rioting - By the end of Se
, Revolution +
Dictatorship Russia -
1917 -1953
BOLSHEVIK CONSOLIDATION 1918-24
The Power Vacuum + Power Struggle
The Death of Lenin
- Lenin’s death in 1924 shocked the Russia people — Lenin's
coffin was displayed in the Red Square and crowds of people
gathered to show their respect
- Petrograd was renamed Leningrad, Lenin's statue was built
in every Russian City and even children were named ather
him
- The leadership struggle had begin before Lenin death, being
prompted by his declining health throughout 1923
- Therefore a struggle began at the top of the party which had
a profound impact on the Government of the Soviet Union
- When Lenin died there was no obvious successor. A
collective leadership was therefore established to govern
Russia
- From 1922 to 1929 a relentless struggle for supremacy was
raged by Politburo members
Political Events
Ideology and the nature of leadership ‘Permanent Revolution’ Vs ‘Socialism in One Country
BOLSHEVIK CONSOLIDATIO
- Based on his personality and his authority - The left of the party believed in the theory of Permanent
- He was able to lead because he had the respect of all his senior Revolutions :
colleagues - Russian communism could not survive alone as it didn't have
- They knew that he had masterminded the revolution, and that the the economic resources and the proletariat was too small and
government which emerged reflected his vision under developed
- Spreading the revolution would mean communist regimes in
- The Politburo had emerged as the most powerful part of the more developed countries could support Russia in completing
government. Therefore gaining a majority on the Politburo was the the building of socialism around the world
key to power in the Soviet Union
- The battle for leadership was a battle for support within the party - The right of the party, believed in the theory of Socialism in One
not a battle for support within the Soviet Union - which was not a Country:
democracy - A world revolution was unlikely as revolutions had failed in
