Tsarist RussiaBackground info – The Land of the Tsars

Geography and Population:o 1/6 of Earth’s land masso 11 time zones and climateso Moscow and St Petersburg (main capitals)o The Winter Palace – main palaceo Boundaries insecureo Travel and communication difficulto Only 1/10 of land suitable for farming

Government:o Autocracy – one ruler with complete controlo Tsar and Tsarinao Romanovs ruled for 300 years!

Social Structure:o 0.5% ruling classo 12% upper classo 5% working classo 82% peasants – highly uneducated

Russian Orthodox Church o Traditional form of Christianityo Conservativeo Tsar is it head – so he head of country AND church

Economyo Weak agricultureo Empire in debtso Natural resources exploited by outsiderso Upper class didn’t have to pay tax (unfair!)

Reform and Reaction – Alexander II

Alexander II was ‘the best prepared heir the Russian throne ever had’ (Lionel Kochan) Acted as Regent(acting Tsar) when father away Well-travelled Strict military training – disciplined Educated Known as ‘Tsar Liberator’

The end of serfdom

In 1857, he created a committee to oppose defenders of serfdom. EMANCIPATION 1861 - private serfs were freed.

o Was given a small plot of land for 49 years of redemption tax + 6% interesto Given personal freedomo If unable to pay, had to do 2 years of labour services as payment

1866, state serfs were freed. o Better treatment – TWICE amount of land

Household serfs were freed with NO LAND AT ALL However, this deeply affected the economic, social and political future of the nation.

o Peasants had to pay huge amount so land not worth ito Still farming with poor methods

Strip farming o Led to problems

Peasant rioting Little incentive Landowners not happy – nobles had 40% less land Land shortage

“It’s better to abolish serfdom from above than below.” –Tsar Nicholas II

Alexander’s Other Reforms

Military

Men over 20 were liable to conscription (if medically fit) Length of service – less than 10 years Convicts not in army Officer – based on merit Introduction of budget – too much spent on Crimean War Prussian model – copy GE’s good army Introduction of military schools Modernise mobilization Training and discipline of soldiers were more humane and efficient

Governmental

In 1864, new bodies were created called ZEMSTVA o Chosen by 3 electoral colleges – peasants, townspeople and gentryo Responsible for public health, prisons, roads, education, etco Problem? 45% of nobility – unfair representation

In 1870, DUMAS were set up for towns and citieso Only people who paid taxes were granted votes in Dumas

New bodies = new opportunity for many people in political life

Law

Introduction of juries Judges well-paid – less likely to take bribes Public trials Ability to appeal Introduction of lawyers

Censorship and Press

Press openly discussed about issues Less censorship

Educational

Rapid growth of schools New regulations – common curriculum of religion, reading and writing (Russian only) and math Women – offered vocational training Universities

o Scholars able to travel abroado Curriculum broadenedo Liberal professorso Poor exempted from feeso 2/3 were scholars

Economic

Industrial force expanded Banks were set up Growing railway system Textile industry grew Metals imported Oil and coal greatly increased Jews allowed to work in society

Least reform – finial policies. Tax increased by 80% over Alexander’s reign.

The End of Reforms

Growth of Oppositiono New openness encourage unrealistic expectations for Tsar

Study Abroado Intelligentsia very radical and became very violent – turned to terrorism

Literature of Oppositiono Writers wrote with full freedom, dangerous- shouldn’t question status quo

First Attempt on Tsar’s Lifeo Dmitri shot Tsar, was arrested and executed. He was a landowner who had given away

his possession to peasant when they were freed. This caused the undoing of reforms. ‘Guests’ of the Tsar

o Tsar’s prisons were so full as prisoners had to wait a long time for trialso Arrest began with prison but most ended in internal exile in Siberia.

Hard labour sentences – undernourished and died Sentenced to exile – sent out but problem was you couldn’t go back

Political Trialso ‘Trial of 50’ and ‘Trial of 193’

Violence intensifieso Two particular groups

‘Land and Liberty’ – dressed as peasants to help the peasants ‘The People’s Will’ – people who believed in terrorist tactics

1 March 1881, Tsar was assassinated by bombs.

The Russia of Alexander III and Nicholas II

Alexander III (son of Alex II), moved his family away from Winter Palace in St Petersburg to Gatchina, where he only saw guests twice a week

He was more traditional

Undoing the Reforms (Reactionary – go back on reforms)

Policeo all centralised

Judges o given clear advice on sentences and verdict

Introduction of ‘Land Captains’o Authority in local court caseso Gentry in-charge

Prisons o severe conditions

Censorshipo Newspaper warned 3 times to censor before publicationso Govt ministers given power to close publications and ban editors and publisherso Libraries – restriction on books stocked

Universitieso Lost power to run own affairso Students were inspected on their non-academic activities

Educationo Lower class children banned from secondary education

Zemstvao Less peasantso Peasant not elected but appointed

Jewso Not allowed to be part of some professionso No say in govto Quota of how many educatedo Pogrom – organised violence against Jews.

Problems

Tax collection became corrupt

Debts were increasing Absenteeism at assemblies were high

3 Improvements Alexander III made:

1. Poll tax – which was only paid by peasants, were abolished2. Peasants’ Land Bank created – help peasants buy land from landlords3. Nobles’ Land Bank created – offered loan at cheaper rates to peasants

BACKWARDS METHOD OF FARMING DID NOT CHANGE! Plots of land for peasants became smaller and lower yield from crops.

The 1891 Famine

Hit 17/39 provinces in Russia Had an early winter – long hot and dry summer which ruined crops Inevitable outbreak of cholera Govt responsible:

o Heavily taxed consumer goodso Censorship about famine until situation severe in Aug 1891

Solution to famine:o Govt had assistance schemes – get public to helpo Alexander III used 2 lotteries to raise money to buy emergency supplieso Nicholas II – in charge of Famine Reliefo Intelligentsia

Prince Lvov – organised FR Tolstoy – organised soup canteens Chekhov – playwright become doctor. Treated cholera

“We ourselves will not eat but we shall export” – peasants 350 000 died from starvation or disease HOWEVER, this showed how all social classes were able to work together

Economic Growth

Industrial Growth

Rate of growth – 8% per annum Highest growth rate in the world Credit given to COUNT WITTE Huge increase in coal, pig iron and coal

Railways

Purpose:o Unite countryo Open up trade o Growth of RU’s industry

Vast distance = safety and construction abandoned Centrepiece Trans-Siberia Railway, linking RU with Far East

The Urban Poor

Millions of peasants worked in developing industries Lifestyle:

o Lived in slums on the outskirts of the citieso Some slept next to factory machineso An apartment housed 16 peopleo Only a third had running watero Cesspools, piles of human manure and polluted water supply = constant threato Wages were lowo Employement insecure

Russia was badly hit with world depression in 1899o Peasants left for cities and mines to find better liveso Peasants were more knowledgeable and conscious of their surroundings. Not only

influenced by Russian Orthodox Church

Government Finances

Problems:o Govt forced to print more paper moneyo Inflationo 1/3 lost in debt interesto Hardly any left for education and social welfareo Debt of 8 billion roubles

Solutions:o Reduce importso Loands from Franceo Starts FORCED industrialisationo Invite foreign experts to help industrialiseo COUNT WITTE – created gold currency which turned into paper moneyo Allow trade union to set upo Allow child labouro Could only work 12 hours a day

The Intelligentsia and the Middle Class

Growth of professional and managerial middle classes Work of zemstva led to expansion of

o Educated teacherso Doctors o Experts

Large increase in the number of banks Intelligentsia – weren’t mostly noble in uni but wealthy peasants.

NATIONALITIES

Russia had two ways of approaching this:

a. Recognize and give independent structure to each nationalityb. Try and control and suppress manifestations

Russification (under Great Russia)

Tsar chose option b Russian language became the only language allowed in schools Ukrainian was banned in all publications Jews

o Death of Alexander II = widespread attack on Jewso Jewish houses and businesses were broken into, women raped, men beaten and raped.

47 diedo “I am always happy when they beat the Jews” – Alexander IIIo Alexander III and Nicholas II – strong anti-Semiteso Had many restricationso Forbidden to own land and be in the army

Successful?o Tsar felt it was an essential policyo Believed in Autocracy + Nationality + Orthodoxyo Ignored national differences

OPPOSITION

The Romanovs faced difficulties from educated and free-thinking middle classes.

In 1887, 5 university students in St Petersburg who were part of The People’s Will tried to assassinate Tsar Alexander III.

Problem – not successful

So these 5 were publicly hung. One of them was Alexander (Lenin’s bro).

Alexander III died a natural death and taken over by son, Nicholas II.

Populism

Land and Libery and The People’s Will = “Populists” Believed in a society where all land was held common Chosen method was terrorism and assassination Not doing well

o Secret police too efficiento Very little public supporto Short of money

Set up political party – The Party of Social Revolutionaries (SR)o Illegalo HQ in Switzerlando Had propaganda campaignso Had own combat group

Mensheviks BolsheviksPurpose Spread propaganda

Raise awareness of proletariat (working class)

Seize power as soon as possible

Future Revolution

Not ready for Marxist revolution Poor economic conditions Proletariat too small

Believed a dedicated party could lead proletariat into power

Bourgeois and proletarian could combine revolutions

Decisions in the Party

By members, after open debate and free voting

By party leaders All members would accept and

was known as ‘democratic centralism’

Membership As many as possible Only genuine reliable revolutionaries

Role of Party Educate workers to appreciate jobs

Support all forms of protest for better conditions

Plan for revolution Seize power on behalf of future

generations of workers

Secret police considered Mensheviks to be a greater threat – more involved and supporting working-class discontentment.

Popular Violence

Strikes Serious disputes Peasant protests

Russian RevolutionDifferent Factions:

Liberals – upper classo Most moderate of Tsar’s opponentso Goal:

to have a parliament BUT tsar not overthrown allow everybody (not only rich) to vote

Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) – Peasantso Biggest group of opponentso Goal:

Peasant uprising and overthrow Tsar Set up a republic

o No central organisationo Known as ‘populists’ and ‘people’s will’

Social Democrats (SD) – Working classo Goal:

believe in Marxist Revolution working class take over overthrowing Tsar to start Marxist govt

o Fight amongst themselves Bolsheviks

- use violence to come to power- small group of intellectuals- centralised leadership

Mensheviks- less violent- working class- democratic group

Marxism

Stages leading to Communism

i) primitive communism٭ no social class, no govt, no organisations – everyone equal

ii) futilism٭ serfs – most oppressed

iii) capitalism٭ ruling class: businessmen, bosses of workers

iv) socialism٭ working class would overthrow bosses and run country in EQUAL society

v) communism٭ no social class, no govt, no state control٭ utopian society – everyone contributes willingly

Currently, Russian between futilism and capitalism and going to communism – big mess!

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR 1904-05

Tsar Nicholas II didn’t want to be king Liked leisure activities and disliked intellectuals Let things slide and other built up

He felt like Russia needed a small war to boost confidence and make profit. Created more problems than actually solving them.

Russia were interested in Manchuria and Korea (which were under the control of China) = better trading. But JP also interested and they were strong.

Japanese attacked Port Arthur and Russians stepped in to ‘help’. JP beat RU at EVERY confrontation which was VERY embarrassing for a small country to beat a large empire

Portsmouth Treaty

JP gets Port Arthur and Korea RU got Manchuria and

٭ Half a million casualties٭ Huge embarrassment

٭ Lost almost entire fleet٭ Spent 2.5 roubles on war

In July 1904, terrorists succeeded in murdering Phleve, Minister of Interior. The man most blamed for the war in Japan.

This led to Tsar appointing a new minister with more moderate views who lifted some restrictions on zemstva and press freedom.

As pressure on Tsar grew, Nicholas II issued a manifesto – stating his participation in public affairs.

HOWEVER, Russians were still dissatisfied.

The intelligentsia made the most of the fundamental reforms made by new minister.

BLOODY SUNDAY

9 January 1905 Peaceful demonstration led by Father Gapon (a RU priest) March was officially banned but went on anyways Crowds headed for the Winter Palace to

o Present a list of grievanceso Ask for radical reforms

Better working conditions Representation in govt

Crowd carried icons and portraits of Tsar + Tsarina and sang national anthem At first, armed troops tried peaceful dispersion but ended up shooting crowd

o Shot many women and childreno 200 killed and 800 wounded

“The day that innocent women and children, who were gunned down in cold blood, as they were simply trying to hand in a loyal petition to the Tsar.”

Tsar was not even at the Winter Palaceo Cannot be blamedo Can be blamed because he heard about it but doesn’t handle it.

The October Manifesto

Strikes swept the country Peasant revolts broke out in Russia Assassination of Tsar’s uncle = Tsar created a consultative assembly May – Union of Unions set up (creation of Soviets) June – Union of Peasants set up October – strike at Russian railways and cities By mid-October, Russia paralysed by general strike SUPPORTED by Union of unions.

Tsar’s opponents from all classes were united and against him

Tsar accepted Cabinet govt

Russia’s 1st president: COUNT WITTE

17 October 1905 – October Manifesto

Peasants happy aso No more emancipation paymento Civil freedomo Dumas given more authority

November – St Petersburg Soviet of Workers called general strike BUT no support from working and middle class.

Thus, govt used this opportunity to arrest soviet.

Bolesheviks wanted to help the SP and so they fought the police (2 weeks long of street-fighting, killing 1000 workers). The tropps then ended peasant uprising and strikes with force.

Thus, govt hated and mistrusted.

Electoral Law

Rigged and fixed Richer people’s votes worth more than poor people’s. Issues fundamental laws – he’s still the ruler of the country. He decides:

Law Military Foreign affairs Hire and dismisses ministers Dissolve Dumas (if necessary)

Dumas has 2 houses:o upper house

imperial council made up of wealthy RU appointed by Tsar elected by wealthy can veto anything lower house decides

o state Dumas 1 vote =

2 000 landowners 7 000 property owners 30 000 peasants 90 000 workers (most revolutionary)

Tsar has 4 Dumas until 1914o 1st lasted 3 months – argued about fundamental laws. Thus, dissolved. o 2nd lasted 3 months – disagreementso 3rd – rigged voting whereby peasant and worker representations were cut down by 50%.

Wealthiest 1% controlled seats in elections Lasted 5 years

o 4th – interrupted by WW1

Dumas were more right-winged. Looks good to other EU powers = seems democratic

Stylopin’s Reforms

July 1906, Peter Stylopin became Minister of Interior.

Firm Ruthless Attracted liberals Greatly disliked (house bombed) Still determined

The land

Problem (Peasants)

Made up majority of electorate Numbers were growing rapidly

Reforms Introduced

All land were available to Peasant Land Bank for purchasing Withdrawal from their commune (mir) without needing consent Peasants who withdrew could still keep their land (instead of strip farming) End to redistribution of land (land = hereditary property)

Aims

Hoped to create new class of well-to-do peasants = kulakso Peasants could leave commune, extend their landholdings and build independent farmso Try new agricultural techniques and grow any crops they wisho Incentive to improve

Success!!!!!!!!

HOWEVER, by WW1, almost 2 million had left mirs. They OPPOSED the idea as they appreciated security from the mir.

Other Reforms

Educational Reforms – no. of primary schools doubled Zemstva expenditure – doubled on health, agriculture and poor relief Reintroduction of elected magistrate Religious toleration – for Jews. Passed by Dumas but vetoed by Tsar Extension of zemstva into non-RU areas

‘Stylopin’s Necktie’

Conducted vigorous campaign AGAINST terrorists and revolutionaries Many were arrested and executed – hung No judge/jury EFFECTIVE!

This caused...

Revolutionary parties to lose support Bolsheviks & Mensheviks failed to unite Membership of RSDLP declined drastically

o Lenin had difficult time as he found himself as minority amongst Bolsheviks

End of Stylopin

Shot at gala performance in October 1911 Extreme right and left rejoiced Reappointment of Goremykin (aged 74) – no commitment to post so basically, Nicholas back in

charge.

LENA GOLDFIELDS

Serious strike in 1912 Working condition were appalling Bad wages and working conditions Police arrested strike leaders Confrontation ended with troops firing at unarmed

demonstrators = MASSACREo Created a storm of protest throughout RU

This shows how the govt had not reached a new way of living.

Workers were denied right to trade unions & no political representation Dumas & State Council did not criticise govt (dominated by landowners)

At the Outbreak of WW1 (Economic Situation)

Russia was making a great economical progresso Savings grewo Average annual growth rate – very higho National debt dropped

HOWEVER, to continue this success, RU needed:o Domestic harmonyo Peace with neighbours

Which were shattered upon the assassination of Franz Ferdinand

RU Bad Performance in WW1

Public Reaction to Outbreak

Display of patriotic feelingso Soldiers and civilians feel to their knees to the Tsar

Dumas met a week after outbreak and gave govt little confidence

Military Problems

Badly trained and badly equipped soldiers Lost over 4 million in the first year of war Transportation difficulties Tsar decided to take command over armed forces

Problems Caused by WW1 (leading to revolution)

Scarcity of food and goods RU burnt and destroyed their own property – ‘scorch earth property’

o GE can’t get to them o But also destroying themselves

Corruption and crime high – no one maintaining law Cost of war escalate year by year, causing overwhelming debts and inflation Military problem publicized – causing people to worry

Tsar seen as incompetent – took control of army Tsar’s wife (Alexandra)

o First cousinso German (big problem!) = thought to be a spyo Disliked by RUo Took control of govto Converted to orthodox

Tsar’s only sono Sickly (haemophilia – internal bleeding : TOP SECRET!)

Rasputin (monk)o Stange mano Felt closer to god through sinso Drank a loto Bad reputationo Had a ‘magic touch’

Whenever he came near the son, the son felt bettero Alexandra did EVERYTHING Rasputin asked of her

Followed his orders blindly Most of the time – he was wrong! Rumour – both Alexandra and Rasputin were having an affair

Thus, Alexandra was blamed for RU defeats as Nicholas was very dependent on her and she was dependent on Rasputin.

Rasputin’s murder:o Went to prince’s houseo Wife was beautifulo Food at party was poison – a lot but didn’t dieo Prince so he shot Rasputin, threw the body into basement and lefto He somehow escaped, so shot again and threw into freezing riveo Found days later – died of suffocationo Before death: he said no hope for Romanov Dynasty and that’s exactly what happened!

Romanov Dynasty Overthrown

February 1917o 23 February

Strikes became worse Intl Women’s Day demonstration Putilov Strikers About 1 million people

o 25 February Wide-spread strike across city = PARALYSED! Soldiers joined demonstrators Forced military action taken on demonstrators (some killed – more fights)

o 26 February Dumas dissolved

o 27 February REVOLUTION! Aimed at overthrowing govt ½ of troops joined revolution Winter Palace and govt building seized Prison broken into and police stations burnt down (releasing revolutionaries)

Who led Revolution?

Genuinely spontaneous Streets filled with people from every possible social background Lenin shocked by this,

o A month before he said “We older ones will not live to see the revolution in our lifetime.”

Leaders emerged – released out of prison, respected men

1 March 1917: Dumas leaders took over govt

Nicholas never made it to the capital. Disloyal troops blocked him. He signed an abdication for his brother, Grand Duke Michael, who rejected the throne.

ROMANOV RULE ENDED AFTER 300 YEARS!!!!!!!!

February Revolution 1917

Different from revolution of 1905 More range in opposition Quicker Happening in St Petersburg Dumas warned Tsar about unrest in St Petersburg

o Everyone was disloyal to himo No honest men left in Dumas

Full on strike – paralyse work effort 1917 winter

o Everything frozen overo Food not getting into citieso Trains couldn’t moveo 1500 – 2000 died

1st Revolution!

1917 – A Year of Promise and Turmoil

Introduction

No one wanted Nicholas back in power – not even him ‘a nationwide honeymoon’ New govt faced same problems Provisional Govt:

o Mostly Dumaso Govern country volunteerilyo Not electedo High expections from peopleo KERENSKY (leader of govt!)

Russia = anarchy & lawlessness October Bolsheviks take over PG even though they were a small minority of 23 000 people

March 1917 (government)

Provisional Govt – not representative of the people Their principles:

o Any political prisoner are forgiven and freed by the stateo Freedom of speech and right to strikeo Abolish privilegeso All soldiers could keep weapons and don’t necessarily have to fight

Problemso Helped Bolsheviks reorganizeo Had weaponso Freedom of speech – continuous complaints

The System of Dual Authority

2 political bodieso The Petrograd Soviet

Created at the end of February – after revolution Wide variety of people representing them Only appeared in major cities ‘authentic body of people’ – elected and mixture of both genders Variety of political ideas

o The Provisional Govt Member of ex-Dumas: didn’t disband after Tsar’s departure Ok with political changes BUT not ok with social changes

Mostly nobles and basically upper class Temporary until elections

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLYo Ensure voteso Get powero Not a good time at beginning to elect people

Relationship between these 2 groups were goodo Good communicationo Happy to kick out Tsar – sense of optimismo The Soviets didn’t want to run country, wanted to just ‘supervise’ otherso If PG went against PS, then everyone would be against each other

They’ll have had no army, police, workers... nothing!

Provisional Govt... why they became popular?o Success

Freed prisoners Allowed personal freedom Abolish death penalty Improve working conditions Replace old and corrupter ministers and police under Tsar

o Failures Continued to fight WW!

Everyone was suffering and losing already Afraid Allies would feel betrayed

Land problems in countryside

People expected better quality and quantity of land but nobles didn’t give any

Minorities felt that they could take over RU Wanted INDEPENDENCE!!! Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus

Did not fix econmy Delayed Constituent Assembly – people felt no right no rule

April Thesis – Lenin’s Speech!!!o Lenin returns from Switzerlando GE govt smuggled him back

Knew he was radical Had to create total unrest, overthrow govt and pull out of WW1 Lenin had imperial west

o Preached that a revolution needed to happen Response? People thought he was crazy and too radical

o His two famous slogans “ALL POWER TO THE SOVIETS” “PEACE, BREAD AND LAND”

The ‘Kerensky’ Offensive – July 1917

Kerensky believed that only a successful war would stop the disintegration of RU BUT RU army was a) inadequately equipped and b) had low morale.

Initial success against Austrianso 400 000 men losso Armies worse

MORE CHAOS!!!!

JULY DAYS

Armed demonstations supported by workers, soldiers and sailorso Mostly Bolsheviks and anarchist(don’t want govt)o 200 000 sailors – mutiny

3rd Julyo Beginning of demonstrationso Called on PS to take powero Chanted Bolshevik slogans of “PEACE, BREAD AND LAND” and “ALL POWER TO THE

SOVIETS!”

5th Julyo Bolshevik press closed downo Loyal troops cleared the streetso Govt saved

8th Julyo Kerensky became Prime Minister

Lenin fled to Finland and 800 leading Bolsheviks were imprisoned July days gave Bolsheviks a bad impression though Mensheviks were blamed and Bolsheviks fled

the country.

The Kornilov Coup

Aim at overthrowing govt 26 Aug : Kornilov ordered troops to march to the capital ‘to hang GE supported and spies’ and

close down the Petrograd Soviet FAILED bcoz unable to advance, blocked by railways workers This showed how workers and soldiers still against PG

Lenin = >:) = YES! TIME TO SEIZE POWER MUAHAHAHA

Kerensky supported Kornilov at first but later saw him as a threat, wanting to take over PG, so instead, Kerensky let all Bolsheviks out of jails with weapons (STUPID MUCH?!)

Problems in RU

Peasants dissatifisfied with land; began to seize it themselves Elections finally fixed for November Command structure of army – collapse! Wanted self-govt; eg. Ukraine and Finland Workers saw no change in going on strike

Bolsheviks

Formed new govt in Petrograd in October Stayed loyal to working class Lenin felt Bolsheviks would take over govt alone 7 October – Lenin returned to RU (wanted an immediate rising!)

The October Revolution, 23-25 October

Led by Trotsky 3 days to take over capital Took over railway stations, buildings and Winter Palace! Kerensky escaped Only 5 deaths ‘500 loyal troops’ who could stop uprising, disappeared! :o Almost no opposition, no real violence and all PG captured 1/6 Russians supported Bolsheviks

Provision Govt – lose support

The Sovietso Petrograd controlled by Soviets mostlyo PG lacked authority

The Waro Didn’t want to let allies downo BUT soldiers didn’t want to fight anymore

Peasant Committeeso Cut rents and increased wages

Armed forceso Soldiers and sailors undermined/destroyed power of officerso Unpopular officers killed

Unrest in factorieso Horrible working conditionso No action taken to change that

Inflationo Price bad: winter 1916-17o Made EVERYTHING worse

Nationalitieso Wanted self-govt

Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets (25 October)

Soviet meeting to discuss what to do 670 members Mostly Bolsheviks Non-Bolsheviks walked out. Trotsky said “Go where you belong – to the rubbish bin of history!”

Bolshevik Strength Provisional Govt Weakness Control Petrograd Soviet – union

protecting people Gained people’s trust after Kornilov Policies support

o End waro Peace, land and bread

Trotsky led Red Army Party leadership organized Ruthless & destroyed enemies Military and economic collapse benefitted Strong leadership skills

Its nature – flawed Lose people’s trust after Kornilov Failed to gain popular support Underestimated Bolsheviks Defence half-hearted Had to share power with Soviets Kerensky – not as determined as Soviets

Communists won because of their strength and PG’s weaknesses.

Why Bolshevik Able to Stay in Power?

How Bolshevik establish dictatorship?

PG wasn’t getting much support – Bolsheviks quickly seized power October Revolution – at first, it was seen as a ‘Bolshevik takeover’

Sovnarkom

a one party government bourgeoisie title of ‘ministers’ abolished, replaced with ‘people’s commissar’ Lenin believed that only Bolsheviks could rebuild Russia

o Refused to invite other socialist partieso Leaders protested to Lenin’s narrow view in politics

The Army

Promised to end war An officer was ordered to sign an immediate armistice with GE but he refused. He got murdered

by his own troops. Younger officers ordered to sign. He signed. Officers returned to civilian life or moved to non-Bolshevik Russia

Cheka

Sovnarkom’s secret police Hunted down oppositions – bourgeoisie, anarchists – executed them without trial Strong support Killed 50 000 people in 1918

The death of Constituent Assembly

ELECTIONSo Finally held in Novembero SRs got most amount of vote (mostly from peasants)o 47/80 million RU voted – most representative body of RU ever!o Bolsheviks got 23.2% (2nd place!)o Non-Bolshevik Assembly formed – SR leader Chernov (president)

Third All-Russian Congress of Soviet heldo Bolshevik = majorityo And thus, formed Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR)

How Bolshevik govt try to change Russia?

1) Decree on Peacea. ‘a peace without annexations and indemnities’

2) Decree on Landa. Abolish landlord’s right of propertyb. Land confiscated from large states and redistributed to peasant soviets

3) Decree on Nationalitiesa. Allowed self-govt to any national groups

4) Housing in cities removed from private owners5) Civil marriage and divorce introduced 6) Schools not under church anymore7) Titles abolished – everyone referred to as ‘comrade’8) Institution for the Protection of Mothers and Children was formed

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)

Peace treaty between Russia and her allies Lenin wanted to sign it because RU could not fight anymore Trotsky wanted to adopt strategy of ‘NO PEACE, NO WAR’

o Hoped it’ll inspire GE army to mutiny and take revolution back to Berlino GE tired of strategy, ended armistice & went to Petrogrado Dropped bomb!!!!o RU govt move to Moscowo Lenin persuaded party to accept GE termso Agreed to harsh terms

Lost 1/3 of EU land Lost ½ of industry Lost Ukraine

o People blamed them for betraying ‘Mother Russia’

The Suppression of Opposition – October 1917 to July 1918

Decrees of Sovarkom

Banned all bourgeoisie parties and their newspapers Used Cheka and loyal troops to prevent anti-govt demonstrations Opposition groups were disbanded by force or went underground

JULY 1918, BOLSHEVIKS TOOK OVER RUSSIA!

Reasons for Civil War in Russia

1. The collapse of Russian Empire Many territories declared independence 33 sovereign(independent) govts in RU Patriotic RU wanted to stop disintegration and keep ‘RU, one and indivisible’.

2. Political Opposition ‘Union for the Defense of Motherland and Liberty’

i. Organized revolts Other opponents gathered at the edge of Bolshevik-controlled Russia

3. Allied Opposition Caused direct military action against Bolsheviks Trotsky published ‘secret treaties’ signed by Tsar with former allies

i. Showed Allies planned to seize territory when GE defeatedii. Not actually fighting for democracy

Bolsheviks seized foreign property and cancelled Tsar’s vast debts Because of Brest-Litovsk Treaty, FR and BR left to fight Western Front alone

4. Breakdown of law and order Growing lawlessness in country No govt strong and determined enough to restore law and order

5. Food Requisitioning Peasants had no incentive to sell products – inflation soards Lenin’s solution:

i. Send soldiers, worker and Cheka to look for grains from kulaksii. Urged poor to seize food from neighbours

Successful BUT cause more enemies for Bolsheviks

The Civil War

Fighting broke out as Bolsheviks seized power: October 1917 Continued until 1922 more misery and hardship Ukrainian capital, Kiev, change hand 16 times.

Phase 1 – Early resistance

Kerensky failed to get army to fight Bolsheviks defeated Cossack Army and Volunteer Army

Phase 2 – war with Whites

Whites = imperialists (wanted Tsar). Right winged. No central leadership Traditional conservatives: landowners, businessmen, army officers August 1918, Red Army forced to abandon Kiev Winder, Red Army advanced on all fronts Jan 1920, they got Kiev back April, Polish army successfully attacked RU October 1920, Treaty of Riga – ended Russo-Polish War

Phase 3 – war with Greens

Greens = anarchists. No political ideology. Bandits Peasants who resented Bolshevik policies Ended in 1921

Allies (BR, FR, USA and JP) – also involved

FR had helped RU modernise BUT Bolsheviks nationalized FR companies JP wanted more territory USA and BR – wanted someone to be there at Eastern Front All anti-communists But did not engage in much fighting

WHY COMMUNISTS WON CIVIL WAR?

Geography:o Petrograd and Moscow – densely populated with Bolsheviks

Thus, easy to recruit armyo Good transportationo Had weapons

Unity and Organisationo Led by only one general – Trotskyo Clear indication of what to doo One military strategy, one aim

Supporto People were happy with decreeso Good in countryside, had food

Propagandao Visual images for peasants who can’t reado Striking colours

Leadershipo Trotsky

Politically intelligent Good military leader

Goes to the front himself Propaganda spread Good motivation for soldiers Lived in train Defended capital well Strict in discipline

Red Terroro Bolsheviks imposed strict controlo Cheka ensured disciplineo Shot anyone who deserted them or were unfaithful

Red Armyo Did not exist in 1918 but 5 million strong by 1920o Introduced conscriptiono Limitless human resourceso Had experienced officers – tsar’s former officers but Bolsheviks ensured loyaltyo Red Cavalry – disrupted enemies’ communication lines

Lenin gives orders to kill Tsar Nicholas and family to stop whites from getting back into power.

WHY WHITES LOST?

Allied helpo Portrayed as puppets of allieso Made recruiting for Red Army easier – RU patriotismo Foreign forces rarely involved in fighting though

White divisionso No common purposeo Many fiercely territorial and would not advance from area

Lack of co-operationo Differing goalso Mutual suspicionso Geographical distance – meetings in Paris!

Lack of commitmento Difficult to recruit and keep solders

Effects of Civil War

Violent Bolsheviks – very militaristic 2nd civil war in history – leading to famine, deaths and diseases. Utter devastation No world revolution – only in Russia

The Economics of Survival

After Lenin seized power, he announced:

“In 6 months, we will build communism in Russia”

State Capitalism (1917-18)

Set up after October Revolution Bolshevik used existing economic structures during transition period Problem: not the communist way/went against their ideology After Brest-Litovsk, RU didn’t get grain from Ukraine. White armies controlled rich farming areas

o EXTREME FOOD SHORTAGESo RATIONING:

Based on social classes Army and govt got most to eat Professionals (doctors, skilled workers) – 2nd

Aristocrats – ate least

War Communism (1918-1921)

June 1918 – a decree nationalized all industries All production concentrated on war effort Needed to keep Red Army fed and supplied

o Grain Requisitioning: Soldiers got grain from countryside and brought into city Either offer little money or not at all Farmers not bothered to produce grain Less grain, less food “Kulaks hoarding grain” –made them the scapegoats by Lenin

Ban private tradeo Result? A black market is formedo People barter amongst themselves

Nationalisation of industryo Workers committee eliminatedo Bosses called specialistso Labour discipline reinstated – more strict than beforeo Spieso Workbook = to stamp if work and thus, this gave foodo Paid workers by amount of work done and not timeo Internal passports

All this led to MAJOR INFLATION and:

a. Famine (1920) Worse than Tsarist times Cannibalism – corpses were stored to be eaten by their families Lenin told them to steal from churches – took advantage of situation

b. Kronstadt Mutiny (1921) Sailors mutiny against Bolsheviks They wanted Soviets Rebellion!! – even though they were loyal supporters before 10000 killed Lenin blamed other political parties (Mensheviks)

c. Tambov Rising Uprising in countryside by disgruntled peasants Red army sent to put down revolts

Lenin realised War Communism not working.

NEP, New Economic Policy (1921)

Lenin realised that peasant = key to communists retaining power A compromise between capitalistic and communist elements Had to ensure survival of revolution:

o Grain requisitioning ends: Farmers only give 10% of crops to govt Extras could be sold Thus, incentive for farmers to produce more

o Small businesses can reopen Motivate farmers to grow and earn more $$

o Private trade resumeso Rationing endso State controls heavy industry

Lenin said this policy would be temporaryo “One step forward but two steps backwards”

Capitalism Communism + Capitalism

o Some Bolsheviks don’t agree. Fight. NEP statistics not as high as State Capitalism

o Not so efficient and productive

Lenin’s First Problems

i) Coalition with other govts He decided no. He didn’t want to combine Bolsheviks with other left-winged party Russians unhappy that Bolsheviks run country because they thought PS would take over

ii) Constituent Assembly Delayed again until January 1918 Bolshevik soldiers at gun-point closed down/eliminates assembly No democracy Lenin shot! By a woman 3 times but he survived

i. Woman supported Lenin but he eliminated democracy so she >:(ii. Lenin’s health deteriorated in 1918 onwards

iii) Set up government Trotsky – commissar of war and foreign affairs Stalin – commissar of nationalities (speak on behalf of minorities) Central Committee – made of 21 members and part of Politburo

Power (in decreasing order):

1. Lenin2. Politburo3. Central Committee4. Communist Party

Decrees (law made by Lenin) – not democratic

Peace decree – signed Brest-Litovsk treaty

o Trotsky’s strategy of ‘no peace, no war’ Hoped GE will have their own revolution, overthrowing Kaiser, causing RU to ok

o Lenin wanted treaty to be signed quickly To restore order Soldiers and ammunition – could be used in civil war

o Lenin needed $$ from GE. GE promised $$ if RU out of waro GE advancing. Afraid GE would overthrow Lenin if he doesn’t deliver his promiseo Lenin threatened to resign, thus they finally agreed.

Land decreeo Communal land – land belonged to everyoneo This was happening but he legalized ito Wealthy people had peasant families living their house

Workers’ Control decreeo Workers take more control over jobo They can run the factories and create unionso 8-hour work dayo 48-hour work weeko Allowed holidayso Paid overtime

Rights of the People of RUo Promises self-determination for minorities

Press decreeo All non-Bolshevik press banned

Chekao Secret police of Bolshevikso Keep control, spy on peopleo Take over judicial system

Abolishment of titleso ‘comrade’ = everyone equal

Lenin’s Role in History

“HISTORY WILL NOT FORGIVE US IF WE DO NOT TAKE POWER NOW.” – Lenin, September 1917.

Lenin’s importance in October 1917

Lenin’s arrival in Petrograd in April 1917o Transformed Bolshevik attitude to PGo Inspired October coupo April Thesis was initially received badly but Lenin persuaded Bolshevik revolution

Lenin’s adaptation of Marxism

HOWEVER

Research shows that there would’ve been a workers revolution without Lenin, which would end with a coalition of all parties

o THUS, Lenin hijacked the opportunity to set up a one-party state Lenin’s rise to power was accidental

o Result of blunders of otherso Growing chaos in RU

Came to power under false pretenceso Demanded Constituent Assembly BUT closed it down when it was finally set upo Called for “All Power to the Soviets” BUT set up narrow Bolshevik regime

Thus, Lenin = duplicitous and lucky

Was Lenin a dictator?

Trotsky acknowledged Lenin’s enormous personal authority Lenin unable to persuade Sovnarkom to sign treaty immediately

o Only when capital threatened by GE and Lenin threatened to resign, then they signed.

Why Lenin’s govt ruthless?

Many innocent people died under the Bolsheviks Normal rules of law & justice disappeared Lenin saw political terror as ‘revolutionary justice’

o “freeing all from bondage” However, those who shared Lenin’s ideology saw no wrong in harsh-ness

Lenin’s Legacy

According to Krushchev, October Revolutions opened a new beginning for oppressed ppl Others blamed him for millions of death and imprisonment

o Demanded one-party govto Set up Chekao Put end to interparty debateo Created powerful bureaucracy

From summer 1921 onwards, he was increasingly absent.

By JANUARY 24 1924, Lenin died.