Rise of Socialism and Russian Revolution

Overview

This lecture covers the rise of socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, discussing key political ideologies, major events, and their impacts on society and world history.

Political Ideologies in 19th Century Europe

• After the French Revolution, three main ideologies developed: liberals, radicals, and conservatives.
• Liberals supported equality and elected parliament but wanted only property-owning men to vote.
• Radicals favored majority rule, women's rights, and wealth equality, opposing the privileges of landlords.
• Conservatives preferred slow change, traditional hierarchy, and monarchy.

Industrial Revolution & Socialism’s Emergence

• Industrial Revolution led to urban migration but caused unemployment, poor working conditions, and low wages.
• Liberals and radicals began promoting workers' rights and reforms.
• Nationalism rose, seeking equality and unity among people with shared culture.

Rise of Socialism and Key Thinkers

• Socialism advocated for public ownership of property and cooperative labor.
• Early socialists included Robert Owen (cooperatives), Louis Blanc (government action), and Karl Marx (capitalism critique).
• Marx and Engels argued for workers to overthrow capitalism and form a classless, communist society.

Spread of Socialism and Political Movements

• Workers formed unions and participated in strikes demanding better conditions.
• The Second International (1889) promoted international socialist unity and workers’ rights.
• Socialist political parties emerged across Europe: Social Democratic Party (Germany), Labour Party (Britain), Socialist Party (France).

Prelude to Russian Revolution

• Russian society was dominated by agriculture, with peasants resenting nobles.
• Only two major industrial cities: St. Petersburg and Moscow.
• Workers faced long hours, low pay, and poor conditions; women made up 30% of workforce, paid less than men.

Political Parties and Growing Dissent in Russia

• Russian Social Democratic Workers Party (1898) and Socialist Revolutionary Party (1900) were founded—representing workers and peasants respectively.
• Party disagreements led to Bolshevik (Lenin) and Menshevik splits.

1905 Revolution & Duma

• 1905: Mass strikes demanded a constitution; “Bloody Sunday” massacre escalated unrest.
• The Tsar formed the Duma (parliament), but dissolved it quickly and maintained autocratic rule.

World War I and February Revolution

• Russia’s involvement in WWI led to millions of deaths, food shortages, and industrial decline.
• 1917: Strikes, bread shortages, and military mutinies forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate.
• Provisional Government formed but continued the unpopular war, losing public support.

Lenin and the Bolshevik (October) Revolution

• Lenin returned; called for “April Theses”—end war, transfer land to peasants, nationalize banks.
• In October 1917, Bolsheviks led by Lenin and Trotsky overthrew the Provisional Government.
• Land, banks, and factories were nationalized; Russia exited WWI with Germany via Brest-Litovsk treaty.

Civil War and Creation of the USSR

• Civil war (1918-1920): Red Army (Bolsheviks) vs. Whites (Tsarists) and Greens (Socialist Revolutionaries).
• By 1920, Bolsheviks controlled Russia; in 1922, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was established.

Economic Policies: Lenin to Stalin

• Lenin’s regime used secret police, suppressed dissent, and allowed no opposing parties.
• Stalin (from 1924) enforced collectivization of farms and rapid industrialization via Five-Year Plans.
• Harsh policies, forced grain requisition, and famine led to millions of deaths.

Global Impact of the Russian Revolution

• Spread of communist and socialist ideas worldwide, creation of Communist parties in many countries.
• Inspired anti-colonial and workers’ movements globally.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Socialism — System advocating public ownership and cooperative management of resources.
• Capitalism — Economic system with private ownership and profit motive.
• Communism — Classless, stateless society with communal ownership.
• Bolsheviks — Radical socialist faction led by Lenin in Russia.
• Duma — Elected legislative body, often with limited power under the Tsar.
• Provisional Government — Temporary government formed after the Tsar’s abdication in 1917.
• April Theses — Lenin’s demands for Russia in 1917: end war, land to peasants, banks nationalized.
• Collectivization — Policy of merging small farms into large, state-controlled enterprises (Stalin era).

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review and memorize the key ideologies, events, and dates from the Russian Revolution.
• Read about important socialist thinkers: Marx, Engels, Owen, Blanc.
• Prepare summary tables of political parties and revolutions in Europe and Russia for revision.
• Complete any textbook readings and answer end-of-chapter questions for practice.