Lecture Notes: Russian Revolution and Socialism

Introduction

• Beginning of Classes: Jeet kajor's classes resumed.
• Languages: Mixed-medium (Hindi and English), with focus on English for exams.
• Chapter Overview: Comprehensive coverage; long chapter; need more time than regular weekdays.

Key Points

Setting Context: Industrial Revolution

• Industrial Revolution: Mid-18th century in Europe; led to establishment of factories for mass production.
• Benefits: Increased employment, urbanization, expansion of railways and trade networks, improved connectivity.
• Downsides: Prolonged working hours, exploitation, poor working conditions, inadequate housing and sanitation.
• Workers’ Conditions: Long hours, low wages, gender pay disparity, poor sanitation.

Post-French Revolution: Political Ideologies

• Emergence of Ideologies: Post-French Revolution, ideologies fragmented into liberals, radicals, and conservatives.

Liberals

• Beliefs:
  • Nation respecting all religions.
  • Opposition to absolutist monarchy.
  • Elected Parliament and independent judiciary.
  • Property-based voting rights; no universal suffrage.

Radicals

• Beliefs:
  • Governments formed by majority support.
  • Support for women's suffrage.
  • Opposed wealth disparity and inherited privileges.

Conservatives

• Beliefs:
  • Preferred gradual change respecting social hierarchies and traditions.

Social Context: Industrial Workers & Formation of Socialism

• Worker Issues: Exploitation, poor conditions; industrial economy’s instability; worker strikes.
• Impact on Society: Rapid urbanization with significant socioeconomic problems.
• Working-Class Mobilization: Formed worker's associations to demand better working conditions.
• Socialist Ideology: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels; public ownership of property and resources; cooperation over individualism.
  • Advocates: Robert Owens (New Harmony), Louis Blanc.

Russian Revolution Overview

• The Russian Empire: Ruled by Tsar Nicholas II, vast agrarian society with nobility and church holding major properties.
• Economic and Social Conditions: Vast majority were agriculturists, attacked nobility landlords, communal land ownership practiced by peasants.
• Industrial Revolution in Russia: Factories in St. Petersburg and Moscow, increasing factory workers, Craftsmen outnumbered.
• Worker Demands: Better conditions, wages, and hours.
• Political Mobilization: Formation of Social Democratic Workers Party (1898), Socialist Revolutionary Party (1900).
• Lenin’s Influence: Advocated for organized and disciplined group, aiming for unified movement.

Revolution and War

Bloody Sunday (1905)

• Event: Peaceful protest led by Father Gapon to Winter Palace; attacked by police and Cossacks, over 100 killed, 300 injured.
• Outcome: Strikes, demands for a constitution, formation of the Duma.

First World War (1914-1918)

• Participation: Russia joined the Ally forces; severe losses; growing unpopularity of Tsar.
• Economic Strain: Food shortages, industrial downfall, unemployment, rising soldier casualties.
• Rise in Protests: Resulting from war stress and governance issues.

February Revolution (1917)

• Key Triggers: Factory shutdowns, rising bread queues, strikes.
• Outcome: Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, establishment of provisional government with socialists, liberals.
• Challenges: Continuation in World War I, ongoing shortages, discontent.

October Revolution (1917)

• Lenin’s Return: April Theses demands (end to war, transfer land to peasants, nationalization of banks).
• Event: Petrograd Soviet, Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) led by Trotsky; armed insurrection.
• Outcome: Overthrow of provisional government, establishment of Bolshevik rule.

Civil War (1918-1920)

• Opposition Groups: Reds (Bolsheviks), Greens (non-Bolshevik socialists), Whites (pro-Tsar conservatives).
• Outcome: Victory of Bolsheviks, consolidation of power; formation of USSR in 1922.

Stalin and Post-Revolution Changes

Lenin’s Death and Stalin’s Rise (1924 onwards)

• Policies: Collectivization of farms, five-year plans.
• Consequences: Forced collectivization; resistance, famine, repercussions on peasants (kulaks targeted).

Impact on USSR and Global Politics

• Industrial Growth: Significant increases in production, rapid urbanization.
• Internal Criticism: Harsh policies, resistance to collectivization, repression of critics, rise of autocratic rule under Stalin.
• Global Influence: Spread of communist ideology, rethinking socialism in places like Britain and India.

Homework Question

• Question: What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
• Note: Answer in the comment section for review.