The russian revolution online 2011

By: Janet ParejaBy: Janet Pareja

For AP World HistoryFor AP World History

Signature SchoolSignature School

Evansville, INEvansville, IN

The Czar AbdicatesThe Czar Abdicates

Romanov dynasty forced to Romanov dynasty forced to abdicateabdicate, Spring , Spring 19171917

Social Unrest:Social Unrest:

- Food riots, - Food riots,

- Labor strikes, - Labor strikes,

- Military mutinies, - Military mutinies,

- other difficulties - other difficulties

stemming from stemming from

World War & inept World War & inept

Czar.Czar.

Provisional GovernmentProvisional Government

Provisional GovernmentProvisional Government beganbegan liberal liberal reforms….reforms…. – Did not leave or end WWI immediatelyDid not leave or end WWI immediately– No land reformsNo land reforms– FamineFamine

……too little, too late… too little, too late…

Sorry… it is just a story

The February RevolutionThe February Revolution

Provisional Provisional Government -vs- Government -vs- “Petrograd soviet” “Petrograd soviet” (workers’ assembly)(workers’ assembly)

First of two Russian revolutions First of two Russian revolutions in 1917 in 1917

The Soviet MeetsThe Soviet Meets““Petrograd Petrograd SovietSoviet of Workers of Workers and Soldier’s Deputies” and Soldier’s Deputies”

= Representative = Representative Assembly of Assembly of WorkersWorkers– Revolutionary councils organized Revolutionary councils organized

by socialistsby socialists – Appeared Appeared all overall over Russia Russia

– Control of factories & segments Control of factories & segments of the militaryof the military

Photo: The meeting of the soviet after the revolution in Petrograd in March 1917.

The The Red GuardRed Guard of the Petrograd of the Petrograd Soviet Kept OrderSoviet Kept Order

German Role in the RevolutionGerman Role in the Revolution

1917- 1917- GermanGerman high command high command brought Leninbrought Lenin and his band of and his band of revolutionaries revolutionaries from Switzerlandfrom Switzerland (exile) to Russia in a sealed (exile) to Russia in a sealed train… very dramatic! Why did train… very dramatic! Why did they do that? I thought fascists they do that? I thought fascists hated communists?!hated communists?!

Hoping that the chaotic Hoping that the chaotic atmosphere of the revolution atmosphere of the revolution plus antiwar sentiment would plus antiwar sentiment would hasten an end to Russian hasten an end to Russian participation in the war… participation in the war… well, it well, it did, didn’t it?did, didn’t it?

Vladmir Ilyich LeninVladmir Ilyich Lenin

Revolutionary MarxistRevolutionary Marxist

BUT…believed BUT…believed working classworking class

incapableincapable of developing the of developing the

revolutionary consciousness revolutionary consciousness

necessary for effective political necessary for effective political action…action…

““Vanguard of the RevolutionVanguard of the Revolution””

Lenin believed the Lenin believed the People did not know People did not know HOW to organize the RevolutionHOW to organize the Revolution, so…, so…

– Lenin Lenin providedprovided the leadership… the leadership…

– LeninLenin providedprovided the well-organized, highly the well-organized, highly disciplined party…disciplined party…

Party to serve as Party to serve as catalyst & vehiclecatalyst & vehicle of the revolution of the revolution

Party to be temporaryParty to be temporary: Bring about a socialist : Bring about a socialist society over time, then would cease to exist, and the society over time, then would cease to exist, and the People run their Communist society. People run their Communist society.

Lenin’s Bolshevik PartyLenin’s Bolshevik Party

Lenin’s Lenin’s “April Theses”“April Theses” – demanded power be given to the Soviet (assembly)demanded power be given to the Soviet (assembly)– Russian withdrawal from World War IRussian withdrawal from World War I

““Peace, Land, and Bread”Peace, Land, and Bread”

““Peace, Land and Bread”Peace, Land and Bread”

The October RevolutionThe October Revolution

Winter Palace, Winter Palace, now the home now the home of provisional government, of provisional government, stormedstormed over night: October over night: October 24, 1917. 24, 1917.

Second Revolution that year!!Second Revolution that year!!

Virtually Virtually bloodless bloodless insurrectioninsurrection - - 24 hours24 hours. .

Power passed to Lenin & Power passed to Lenin & the Bolshevik Party. the Bolshevik Party.

New Bolshevik GovernmentNew Bolshevik Government

Needed time to Needed time to organize the new organize the new government, build government, build economyeconomy

Russia pulled out Russia pulled out of WWIof WWI

Treaty of Brest- LitovskTreaty of Brest- Litovsk

Russia Russia signs armistice with Germany:signs armistice with Germany: WithdrawsWithdraws from World War I from World War I

Gives Germans & Central Powers possession of Gives Germans & Central Powers possession of – A huge chunk of Russian territory, including the Baltic A huge chunk of Russian territory, including the Baltic

States, the Caucasus, Finland, Poland, and the States, the Caucasus, Finland, Poland, and the Ukraine)Ukraine)

– 1/3 of Russia’s agricultural land1/3 of Russia’s agricultural land– 1/3 of Russia’s population1/3 of Russia’s population– ¾ of Russia’s industries¾ of Russia’s industries

WHAT WAS LENIN THINKING??!WHAT WAS LENIN THINKING??!

Treaty of Brest-LitovskTreaty of Brest-LitovskHarsh & Harsh & Humiliating termsHumiliating terms

Lenin considered Lenin considered it necessary to get it necessary to get out of war…out of war…

WHY? So he could WHY? So he could CONCENTRATE ON CONCENTRATE ON BUILDING A RUSSIAN BUILDING A RUSSIAN (COMMUNIST) STATE!(COMMUNIST) STATE!

Challenges to Lenin’s Plan: Challenges to Lenin’s Plan: Civil War!Civil War!

Dissident socialists: Dissident socialists: MensheviksMensheviks (minority)(minority)

ConservativeConservative Anti-Communist (Anti- Anti-Communist (Anti-Bolshevik) Bolshevik) officersofficers and troops – and troops – ““Whites” Whites” - loyal to the old regime- loyal to the old regime

Peasant bandsPeasant bands – out for whatever – out for whatever benefit they could getbenefit they could get

Foreign military forcesForeign military forces – GB, – GB, France, Japan, USA helped the France, Japan, USA helped the Whites against the BolsheviksWhites against the Bolsheviks

Bolsheviks win…Bolsheviks win…

Reds vs. WhitesReds vs. Whites

The forces led by Lenin The forces led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks were and the Bolsheviks were called the called the “Reds,” (red (red has been the color of has been the color of revolution since the revolution since the French Revolution)French Revolution)

Forces opposed to him Forces opposed to him where termed where termed “White” (white has traditionally (white has traditionally been the color of royalty). been the color of royalty).

Civil WarCivil War

"Reds""Reds" (Bolshevik / revolutionary (Bolshevik / revolutionary communists) and communists) and “Whites” “Whites” (monarchists, (monarchists, conservatives, liberals & socialists conservatives, liberals & socialists opposed the Bolshevik Revolution). opposed the Bolshevik Revolution).

Nationalist and Nationalist and anarchistanarchist movements movements known as the known as the “greens”“greens” played a small part played a small part

In addition, the In addition, the EntenteEntente and some other and some other countries intervened on the side of the Whites, countries intervened on the side of the Whites, which aggravated the civil war. which aggravated the civil war.

““War CommunismWar Communism” ” 1918-19211918-1921

Bolshevik Economic policy Bolshevik Economic policy during Civil Warduring Civil War

Goal: Goal: supply towns & Red Army w/ weapons supply towns & Red Army w/ weapons & food: & food: All large All large factoriesfactories controlled by government. controlled by government. Production planned and organizedProduction planned and organized by government. by government. DisciplineDiscipline for workers was strict, and for workers was strict, and strikersstrikers

could be shot. could be shot. Obligatory labor duty was imposed onto Obligatory labor duty was imposed onto "non-"non-working classes".working classes". Requisition of agricultural surpluses from peasantsRequisition of agricultural surpluses from peasants

in excess of absolute minimum for in excess of absolute minimum for centralized centralized distributiondistribution and and rationingrationing among the remaining among the remaining population. population. Private enterprise became illegalPrivate enterprise became illegalMilitary-like control of railroadsMilitary-like control of railroads

““Red Terror CampaignRed Terror Campaign””During Civil War (1918 – 1920)During Civil War (1918 – 1920)

Secret PoliceSecret Police (Cheka)(Cheka) – arrested, tried, and executed anti-Communists. arrested, tried, and executed anti-Communists. – Reaction to assassination attempts, incl. Reaction to assassination attempts, incl.

against Lenin.against Lenin.

200,000200,000 opponents of the regime killed, opponents of the regime killed, including the Romanovincluding the Romanov familyfamily to keep them to keep them from being used by the Whitesfrom being used by the Whites

Beginning of the Beginning of the GULAG – exile in SiberiaGULAG – exile in Siberia, , with with 70,000 “dangerous dissidents” imprisoned70,000 “dangerous dissidents” imprisoned by September, 1921. by September, 1921.

Whites instituted a similar campaign.Whites instituted a similar campaign.

GULAGGULAG

If the purpose of government is to protect the country… Then under what circumstances SHOULD a government try to subdue its citizens if they oppose or sabotage government policies… implemented to protect & secure the country?

“Dissidents”

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Does it need to be in Does it need to be in Siberia to be a Gulag?Siberia to be a Gulag?

Is there any other way to preserve the safety & security of a country faced with extreme dissidence and violence?

Leon TrotskyLeon Trotsky

Created a strong Created a strong Red Army Red Army to battle to battle counter-counter-revolutionary forces. revolutionary forces.

Left Bolsheviks with Left Bolsheviks with a powerful and well a powerful and well seasoned army… seasoned army… made neighbors made neighbors nervous.nervous.

Lenin’s Lenin’s NEW ECONOMIC POLICYNEW ECONOMIC POLICY

(NEP)(NEP)– Early 1920’sEarly 1920’s– Fairly successfulFairly successful

Lenin believed Lenin believed Russia was not Russia was not ready for pure ready for pure Marxist communism Marxist communism allowed some allowed some capitalist behaviorscapitalist behaviors

New Economic Policy (NEP)New Economic Policy (NEP)NEPNEP: : – Peasants Peasants could own could own

farms & small farms & small businesses & keep their businesses & keep their profit / produceprofit / produce (after (after paying taxes to the state)paying taxes to the state)

– Policy generated more Policy generated more

tradetrade..

– Production increasedProduction increased and caught up to pre-war and caught up to pre-war levels. levels.

Russian economy began Russian economy began to stabilize under Leninto stabilize under Lenin

Religion in the New StateReligion in the New State

Power of the Russian Power of the Russian Orthodox Church = hugeOrthodox Church = huge

Karl MarxKarl Marx : Religion = : Religion = “opium of the masses.”“opium of the masses.” – In other words, to control In other words, to control

the poor, the rich used the poor, the rich used religion. religion.

Stamp out organized Stamp out organized religion religion – Priests were arrested,Priests were arrested,– Churches burnedChurches burned

Communism’s Place in SocietyCommunism’s Place in Society

Communist Party Communist Party replacedreplaced – Religion Religion – Nationalism / Patriotism in Nationalism / Patriotism in

society society

Totalitarianism: State Totalitarianism: State involved in all aspects of involved in all aspects of citizens’ lives. citizens’ lives.

Totalitarianism – the Totalitarianism – the State is paramount!!!State is paramount!!!

The Kremlin, MoscowThe Kremlin, Moscow and Lenin’s Tomb and Lenin’s Tomb

21 January, 1924

Red SquareRed Square

Who to replace Lenin?Who to replace Lenin?

Lenin revered as Lenin revered as almost Christ-like: a almost Christ-like: a prophet of the future, prophet of the future, and father of the and father of the USSR. USSR.

Party had split into Party had split into two camps within the two camps within the Politburo. Politburo.

Bukharin & Stalin v. Bukharin & Stalin v. TrotskyTrotsky

Leon Leon TrotskyTrotsky, organizer , organizer of the of the Red ArmyRed Army, believed , believed that the country must that the country must heavily heavily industrializeindustrialize, and , and led the “Left Opposition”.led the “Left Opposition”.

He wanted to build He wanted to build weapons to resist the weapons to resist the West should they try to West should they try to destroy Communism. destroy Communism.

Stalin takes power….Stalin takes power….

A vicious power struggle A vicious power struggle emerged for control of the emerged for control of the Party and the country.Party and the country.

Trotsky ends up exiled in Trotsky ends up exiled in Mexico City, and is later Mexico City, and is later assassinated on Stalin’s assassinated on Stalin’s order…order…

Visited with Castro & Che in Mexico

““The Great Purge”The Great Purge”

Peak of terror under Peak of terror under Stalin: Stalin: 1936 – 19381936 – 1938

– Systematic Systematic killing of killing of government “enemies”government “enemies”

– Labor campsLabor camps to punish to punish anyone who opposed himanyone who opposed him

– Doctoring of “the truth” Doctoring of “the truth” even in photoseven in photos

http://www.newseum.org/berlinwahttp://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/commissar_vanishes/index.hll/commissar_vanishes/index.htmtm

““The Great TurnThe Great Turn””

Radically Radically overhauled overhauled industry & agriculture industry & agriculture in the USSR. in the USSR.

Stalin considered Stalin considered Lenin’s NEP too slow Lenin’s NEP too slow && too capitalistic too capitalistic. .

STALINISM

1. Rapid Militarization1. Rapid Militarization

Russia vulnerable to attack from rivals - a Russia vulnerable to attack from rivals - a backward agrarian economy… backward agrarian economy…

2. 2. Rapid IndustrializationRapid Industrialization – why? – why?

– In MARXISM, In MARXISM, socialism could only exist in socialism could only exist in

a highly industrialized statea highly industrialized state, with majority of , with majority of the population workers. the population workers.

– BUT in BUT in 1928 only 20% of the Russian 1928 only 20% of the Russian population were industrial workers, so more population were industrial workers, so more had to be added immediately. The rest of the had to be added immediately. The rest of the population needed to work efficiently to population needed to work efficiently to provide food for industrial & military workers! provide food for industrial & military workers!

3. Collectivization of Agriculture3. Collectivization of Agriculture

Maximize Maximize agricultural agricultural production: production: – Feed factory workers in cities Feed factory workers in cities – Feed growing militaryFeed growing military– Feed Agricultural workersFeed Agricultural workers

– Resistance from peasants & Resistance from peasants & wealthy rural farmers.wealthy rural farmers.

Stalin’s Five Year PlansStalin’s Five Year PlansA series ofA series of three Five Year three Five Year PlansPlans massivelymassively expanded expanded the Soviet economythe Soviet economy

Many newly independent Many newly independent countries followed theircountries followed their modelmodel: : – Revolutionary regimes and Revolutionary regimes and

post-colonial states in the post-colonial states in the developing world. Ie: China, developing world. Ie: China, CubaCuba

Stalin’s ProblemsStalin’s Problems

Collectivization unpopular Collectivization unpopular

Mass starvation when Mass starvation when crops were crops were commandeered to feed commandeered to feed government workers in government workers in military, cities and military, cities and collectives.collectives.

Purges: Terror tactics, Purges: Terror tactics, secret police, bogus secret police, bogus trials, assassinations... trials, assassinations...

““Cult of Personality”Cult of Personality”

Extreme concentration of power in his person, Extreme concentration of power in his person, and little concern for the lives of individual and little concern for the lives of individual people. people.

Stalin tried to Stalin tried to crush all oppositioncrush all opposition by establishing by establishing a a ruthless securityruthless security apparatus apparatus – PurgesPurges– Famine, Famine,

– Gulags & deportations. Gulags & deportations.

De-StalinizationDe-Stalinization

Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev, Stalin's , Stalin's successor, denounced Stalin’s successor, denounced Stalin’s mass murders and cult of mass murders and cult of personalitypersonality

Freed millionsFreed millions of political prisoners of political prisoners

Emphasized commercial goodsEmphasized commercial goods over over coal & steel production coal & steel production

– Raised individual living standardsRaised individual living standards dramatically dramatically – Maintained high economic growth.Maintained high economic growth.

Loosening of controls over Loosening of controls over satellite countries in Eastern Europesatellite countries in Eastern Europe

Poland, Hungary…Poland, Hungary…Loosening of Soviet Control of PolandLoosening of Soviet Control of Poland – 1956 – 1956– Wladyslaw Gomulka elected - almost triggered a Soviet invasion Wladyslaw Gomulka elected - almost triggered a Soviet invasion

when Polish Communists elected him without consulting the when Polish Communists elected him without consulting the Kremlin first. Kremlin first.

– Khrushchev backed down due to Gomułka's widespread Khrushchev backed down due to Gomułka's widespread popularity. popularity.

– Poland remained a member of the Warsaw Pact, but the Soviet Poland remained a member of the Warsaw Pact, but the Soviet Union intervened less frequently in Polish domestic and external Union intervened less frequently in Polish domestic and external affairs.affairs.

Hungarian RevolutionHungarian Revolution – 1956 – 1956– Brutally suppressed by Soviet troopsBrutally suppressed by Soviet troops. . – About 25-50,000 Hungarian insurgents and 7,000 Soviet troops About 25-50,000 Hungarian insurgents and 7,000 Soviet troops

were killed, thousands more were wounded, and nearly a were killed, thousands more were wounded, and nearly a quarter million left the country as refugees. quarter million left the country as refugees.

– Public opinion blow to the Communists in international opinion.Public opinion blow to the Communists in international opinion.

Prague SpringPrague Spring - Czechoslovakia - Czechoslovakia

12 years after Hungarian tragedy12 years after Hungarian tragedy

Alexander DubcekAlexander Dubcek launched a launched a “democratic socialist revolution”“democratic socialist revolution”– Supported Prague Spring Supported Prague Spring liberal liberal

movementmovement– Promised people Promised people “socialism with a “socialism with a

human face”human face”

Put down by Soviet army, East Put down by Soviet army, East German, Bulgarian, Polish…German, Bulgarian, Polish… Brezhnev Doctrine.Brezhnev Doctrine.

Brezhnev DoctrineBrezhnev Doctrine

““USSR reserves the right to invade any USSR reserves the right to invade any socialist country deemed to be threatened socialist country deemed to be threatened by internal or external elements.”by internal or external elements.”

Reasserted SovietReasserted Soviet

control of Eastern control of Eastern

BlocBloc

Policy of “Policy of “DétenteDétente””

Late 1960’s – reduction in hostilities / relaxation of Late 1960’s – reduction in hostilities / relaxation of cold war tensions cold war tensions

SALTSALT – Strategic Arms Limitation Talks – Strategic Arms Limitation Talks– 1972 & 19791972 & 1979

Demise of Détente – Nixon & ReaganDemise of Détente – Nixon & Reagan– US recognition of People’s Republic of ChinaUS recognition of People’s Republic of China– US sells weaponry to PRCUS sells weaponry to PRC– US into Vietnam, and aid to Afghanistan’s fight US into Vietnam, and aid to Afghanistan’s fight

against USSRagainst USSR

Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev

Economic stagnationEconomic stagnationArms race with USA (Reagan’s Star Arms race with USA (Reagan’s Star Wars)Wars)

Restructured Soviet Union & Restructured Soviet Union & unilaterally pulled out of Cold unilaterally pulled out of Cold WarWar

– Brezhnev Doctrine outBrezhnev Doctrine out – each – each country make own decisions country make own decisions

collapse / overthrow of Soviet collapse / overthrow of Soviet regimes: Poland, Bulgaria, regimes: Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, East GermanyRomania, East Germany

““Velvet RevolutionVelvet Revolution””

Swept Communists out of Swept Communists out of office and restored office and restored democracy in 1990. democracy in 1990.

9 November, 1989 – Traffic 9 November, 1989 – Traffic between East & West Berlin between East & West Berlin openedopened– East Berliners tore down the East Berliners tore down the

wallwall

GORBACHEVGORBACHEV

PerestroikaPerestroika – – ““Restructuring” / Restructuring” / decentralizing of decentralizing of Soviet economySoviet economy

GlastnostGlastnost – –““Opening” of Soviet Opening” of Soviet society to public society to public criticism and criticism and admission of past admission of past mistakesmistakes

Boris YeltzinBoris Yeltzin

Dismantled the Communist Dismantled the Communist Party Party Pushed Russia toward market-Pushed Russia toward market-oriented reformsoriented reforms

------------------------------------------------Soviet flag replaced by Russian Soviet flag replaced by Russian flag flag – 26 December, 199126 December, 1991

Yeltzin replaced by Putin, Yeltzin replaced by Putin, whose policies were more whose policies were more repressive…repressive…

Dmitry MedvedevDmitry Medvedev

On 7 May 2008, Dmitry On 7 May 2008, Dmitry Medvedev took office as third Medvedev took office as third President of the Russian President of the Russian FederationFederation. .

Pres. Singh, Medvedev, Hu Jintao, Lula

The Soviet Union had The Soviet Union had become an “Empire…”become an “Empire…”

The “Revolution” was over.The “Revolution” was over.