The Russian Revolution replaced monarchy with socialism, promising peace and equality.
The revolution was a response to privilege and class division, aiming to create a society of equals.
Importance of Socialism in Europe
French Revolution (Late 18th Century): Key in spreading ideas of freedom and equality.
Showed it was possible to change who controlled economic and social power.
Spread of revolutionary ideas across Europe, including in India (e.g., Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Derozio).
Groups with Distinct Views on Change
Liberals:
Advocated for religious equality and an elected parliamentary government.
Limited voting rights to property owners and opposed suffragette movements.
Radicals:
Supported total voting rights and women's suffrage.
Agreed on religious tolerance and removal of absolute monarchy.
Conservatives:
Initially resistant to change but eventually acknowledged some changes were inevitable.
Preferred gradual changes to avoid upheaval.
Economic Changes and the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution: Transition from manual labor to machinery, leading to:
Rapid production and formation of new cities.
Workers faced long hours and low wages in factories.
Resulted in dissatisfaction among workers and peasants, leading to demands for change.
Emergence of Socialism
Roots of Socialism:
Socialists criticized private property as the source of social evils; promoted collective ownership.
Notable socialist thinkers:
Robert Owen: Advocated for cooperatives.
Louis Blanqui: Called for government support of cooperatives.
Karl Marx: Emphasized overthrowing capitalism and collective property control.
Friedrich Engels: Contributed to socialist theory, notably through "The Communist Manifesto."
Formation of the Second International to coordinate socialist efforts.
Prelude to the Russian Revolution
Bloody Sunday (1905):
Strikes led by Father Gapon demanding better conditions resulted in violence; over a hundred killed.
Sparked the Russian Revolution of 1905.
Political Landscape in Russia
Political Parties:
Russian Social Democratic Workers Party (RSDWP): Divided into Bolsheviks (Lenin) and Mensheviks.
Socialist Revolutionary Party: Focused on peasant empowerment.
Tsar Nicholas II's Autocracy: Discontent among workers (lower wages, poor conditions) and peasants (land ownership).
World War I Impact
Russia entered WWI, resulting in heavy casualties and economic strain.
Discontent grew due to food shortages and military failures, leading to strikes and protests (February 1917).
February Revolution (1917)
Women and workers led strikes; soldiers refused to suppress protests and joined them.
Formation of the Petrograd Soviet and abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
Rise of Lenin and the Bolsheviks
Lenin returned, advocating for:
Ending the war.
Transferring land to peasants.
Nationalizing banks.
October Revolution (1917): Bolsheviks, led by Trotsky, seized power from the provincial government.
Changes from Bolshevik Rule
Nationalization of banks and land declared as social property.
The Bolshevik Party became the Russian Communist Party.
Dismissal of the Constituent Assembly after failing to secure a majority.
Creation of the Cheka (secret police) to suppress opposition.
Russian Civil War (1918-1920)
Bolsheviks (Reds) vs. Anti-Bolsheviks (Whites and Greens).
Major foreign intervention against the Bolsheviks (US, UK, France, Japan).
Bolsheviks emerged victorious, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union in December 1922.
Stalin's Rule and Collectivization
Post-Lenin, Stalin faced grain shortages; enforced collectivization of farms.
Peasants formed collective farms (kolkhozes); resistance was met with punishment.
Famine of 1930: Severe food shortages resulting in millions of deaths.
Conclusion
The Russian Revolution significantly altered the socio-economic landscape of Russia, leading to socialist governance and the establishment of the Soviet Union under Lenin and later Stalin.