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Heimler Unit 8 - Topic 3

Apr 8, 2025

The Russian Revolution

Introduction

  • Russian Revolution: A major event in European history with significant ramifications for the future.
  • Preceded by significant problems that were exacerbated by World War I.

Pre-Revolution Issues in Russia

  1. Political Stagnation

    • 1905 Revolution: Demand for liberal reforms which were later retracted.
    • Nicholas II relied heavily on military and bureaucracy.
    • Nicholas took command during WWI, demonstrating incompetence.

  2. Social Inequality

    • Serfdom abolished in 1861, but elites retained significant power.
    • Widening wealth gap leading to dissatisfaction.

  3. Incomplete Industrialization

    • Despite efforts, industrialization was lacking during WWI.
    • Shortages in military essentials like guns, ammunition, clothing.

  4. Food and Land Distribution

    • Landless peasants and common food shortages.
    • Food shortages led to the March Revolution of 1917.

The March Revolution (1917)

  • Factory workers, particularly women, protested high food prices.
  • Nicholas II’s troops joined the protest instead of suppressing it.
  • Duma took control; Nicholas II abdicated.

Provisional Government and Soviets

  • Dominated by middle-class interests.
  • Soviets represented working-class interests, pushing for socialism.

Rise of the Bolsheviks

  • Marxist Social Democratic Party split:
    • Mensheviks: Wanted socialist state with parliamentary democracy.
    • Bolsheviks: Led by Vladimir Lenin, aimed for violent overthrow of tsarist regime and capitalism.

Lenin and the Bolshevik Revolution

  • April Theses: Lenin’s plan for revolution with three slogans:
    1. Peace, Land, and Bread.
    2. Worker control of production.
    3. All power to the Soviets.
  • November 1917: Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government with minimal resistance.

Establishment of Soviet Union

  • March 1918: Lenin negotiated withdrawal from WWI, ceding territory but aiming for global spread of communism.

Russian Civil War

  • Conflict between Bolsheviks and anti-communist forces, supported by Western nations.
  • Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky, utilized nationalist sentiments and won, forming the Soviet Union in 1922.

Lenin's New Economic Policy (1921)

  • Introduced limited capitalism to recover the economy:
    • Peasants could sell produce openly.
    • Allowed private ownership of small businesses.
  • Intended as a temporary measure towards full communism, but was unsuccessful.

Conclusion

  • Lenin’s approach highlighted challenges in implementing communism, suggesting it was never fully realized.

Additional Resources

  • Click here for AP Euro review pack.
  • Continue reviewing Unit 8 of AP European History by clicking here.

Note: These notes summarize key points from the lecture on the Russian Revolution, capturing essential themes and events.

Full transcript