Russian Revolution And the Communist Manifesto

Russian Revolution  Begins in 1917 and peaks during WWI. This forces Russia to leave the war.  Started because of the unhappiness of the Russia people due to radical changes, oppressive leaders, and unfair treatment.  Transforms Russia into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or USSR or Soviet Union

Marx’s Communist Manifesto  Written in 1848, but is not widely read and recognized until the 20 th century.  He addresses in the book, many of the issues and problems that the Russians were facing such as oppressive leaders, inequality among social classes, and a way to organized and structure industry in the country. Thus, the book spoke to many Russian people.

Proletariat vs. Bourgeois  Proletariat – working class who are mistreated and need to rise up and revolt.  Bourgeoise – wealthy class who have been abusing and taking advantage of the workers. Marx believes that they need to be overthrown.

Nicholas II  Becomes Czar in 1894 and continued Russian autocracy (Strict rules, censorship and oppression).  Leaves in 1915 to be with troops in WWI.  Did not effectively manage war and had a lack of supplies and troops (8 million die)  People lose faith in Nicholas  Czarina choose Rasputin to be her advisor  Rasputin was a sorcerer who healed her son of hemophilia so she trusted him because of that

Communist Manifesto Connection  (Russia industrialized a little from  Built Trans-Siberian Railroad - longest in world, but expanding industry brought problems such as…  Poor working conditions, low wages, child labor  Workers strike for better conditions.)

Marxist Revolutionaries  People who followed the ideas of Karl Marx. They believed that the industrial class (proletariat) would overthrow the Czar and rule the country.  Mensheviks - moderate  Bolsheviks - more radical and willing to sacrifice everything for change (leader - Lenin)

Communism Today vs. Marx’s Communism  Socialism = Redistribution of goods to people in society so that all are equal.  Marx’s Communism = Pure Socialism which was the ideal society. Would take a while to achieve.  Communism Today = Stuck in the “process” of achieving Marx’s Communism or Socialism. Where you have strong leadership that controls the economy and the country and oppresses the people. Never have made it to Marx’s Communism.

1905 Revolution (Bloody Sunday)  Workers went to Czar with petition for better working conditions, freedoms, and a legislature.  Nicholas had soldiers fire on crowd and hundreds die.  Wave of protests followed  Nicholas allowed for creation of the Duma or a parliament but disbanded in 10 weeks because wanted all of the power.

February Revolution (March Revolution 1917)  Spontaneous revolution. Started by women workers protesting.  Riots started in the streets of Petrograd (St. Petersburg) due to bread and fuel shortages  Czar Nicholas steps down. Put a provisional (temporary) government in place under Kerensky.  Somewhat democratic but did not meet wishes of all people.  Created “Soviets” or councils of workers that had a lot of power.

Lenin’s Return  Bolshevik leader who had been exiled to Siberia for spreading Marxist ideas.  Many supported his ideas and beliefs.  Thought that a small group should lead the country and a strong leader would end the war and give power to working class.  Germany arranged to have him return secretly from Siberia. Hoped it would lead to revolution and force Russia out of the war.  Lenin returns to Russia to assume power in 1917.

October Revolution (Bolshevik Revolution 1917)  Planned and coordinated by Bolsheviks  Stormed the palace and overturned the provisional government established after the February Revolution.  Easy to take over because there were no forces (army) to fight for the provisional government.  Lenin becomes leader. Bolsheviks have power.  Distributes all farmland to peasants  Gave factory control to workers  Sign a truce with Germany and leave WWI.

Russian Civil War  White Army - those who wanted to end power of Bolsheviks (democracy)  Red Army - Bolsheviks under Leon Trotsky (communism)  Whites received help from allies but unable to defeat the red army.  Bolshevik (Red Army) defeat the whites and begin to suppress disagreement.  3 year struggle…14 million die!

Russia after Revolution  Lenin is now leader of new Communist Party (Bolsheviks)  Named after Marx’s classless society.  Named Russia and their territories the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics  Afraid of nationalist take over.  Collection of self-governing republics under control of the government  Economy destroyed -  Lenin places industry under government control with little personal control.  Created a dictatorship of the party not of the proletariat like Marx envisioned.