The Fall of Russia; The Fall of Russia; Why was there a Communist revolution in Russia in 1917?

1905 revolution 1905 revolution Reforms: Reforms: -October Manifesto 1905: civil liberties, legislative Duma, broadened electorate Fundamental Laws: Tsar has power over all else, Duma’s reforms are rejected -BUT - Social reforms (land reform for peasants; unions permitted)

Factors that led to the Communist revolution in October The weakness of Tsar Nicholas II The discontent of the peasants The discontent of the workers February 1917 Revolution and rising Opposition parties The failure of the Duma Russian failures in the First World War Failing Provisional Government Rasputin and scandal

Weakness of Tsar Nicholas II Uses secret police, Okrana, to persecute opponents and enforce absolute rule. Censorship of books & newspapers. The Church supported the Tsar – the ‘Little Father of the Russian people’. Nicholas II ruled a vast country that was very backwards in comparison to other countries. The Tsar’s government was arbitrary and undemocratic - a major cause of the revolution.

So EXTENSIVE !!

Russian failures in the First World War In the first few months of the First World War, Russia fought better than had been expected. Russian forces attacked Germany and Austria-Hungary in In 1915, as troops faltered, Tsar Nicholas II assumed personal command of the Russian armed forces. The Russian soldiers, poorly trained and equipped, lacking in basic items such as rifles and ammunition (because Russian industry could not sustain the need), suffered from lowering morale. Thousands of men deserted. Without the support of the army, the Tsar’s position became increasingly precarious.

Failure of the Duma 1905 “October Manifesto” - Nicholas II offers to call a Duma, or parliament, with free elections. This was accepted by the demonstrators. When the Duma met, it began to demand reform. Nicholas II introduced the Fundamental Laws to regain authority. The Duma was dismissed three times and new elections, controlled by the Tsar, were called. He used Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin (appointed by Nicholas II) to make voting rights more conservative. Stolypin was assassinated in 1911 by a revolutionary (fun fact – there had been 10 previous attempts!) Was clear the Duma would be shut down if it criticised the Tsar. As long as the Tsar had control of the army, he had the power.

The discontent of the Workers ‘The whole day we pour out our blood and sweat. Every minute we are exposed to danger.’ Union leaflet 1898

The discontent of the Peasants Russia was a rural society with over 90% of the people being poor peasants. In contrast, a small number of upper-class people held most of the wealth and power. This aristocracy had large town houses and country estates. Very often the peasants do not have enough allotment land. They cannot feed themselves, clothe themselves, heat their homes, keep their tools and livestock, secure seed for sowing and lastly pay their taxes. Police report into country conditions, 1905

Rasputin? While Tsar Nicholas II was absent commanding Russian forces during the First World War, he left the day to day running of Russia in the control of his wife Tsarina Alexandra. The nobility resented Rasputin’s influence and mis-trusted his ideas… he was murdered in Rasputin’s influence undermined the prestige of the royal family, but his murder came too late to save them.

Rasputin was seen by many as a “puppet master” controlling Nicholas and Alexandra. Rasputin dominating Russian Court

The opposition of the Communists Many middle-class Liberals and Social Revolutionaries (who supported the peasants) opposed the rule of the Tsar, but the most revolutionary in their ideas were the Social Democrats or Communists. The Communists believed in the ideas of Karl Marx and felt the government needed to be overthrown. The Russian Communists were divided into the Bolsheviks led by Lenin and the Mensheviks led by Trotsky. Lenin believed that the small party of Bolsheviks should seize power and control Russia on behalf of the people. Before 1917 Lenin and many of the other Communist leaders were in exile abroad, plotting to bring about a revolution in Russia

The February Revolution 1917 Russia fared so badly in the First World War there was a spontaneous uprising against the Tsar in February This was sparked off by food riots, poor working conditions and the failure to win the war. The Russian army refused to shoot at the demonstrators and joined forces with them. Lenin, in exile in Switzerland, raced to Petrograd so that he could attempt to seize control of the revolution.

Check the timeline for January – March Why was Tsar Nicholas II forced to abdicate?

Abdication of Nikolai II, March 15, 1917 By the Grace of God, We, Nikolai II, Emperor of All the Russias, Tsar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and so forth, to all our faithful subjects be it known: In the days of a great struggle against a foreign enemy who has been endeavouring for three years to enslave our country, it pleased God to send Russia a further painful trial. Internal troubles threatened to have a fatal effect on the further progress of this obstinate war. The destinies of Russia, the honour of her heroic Army, the happiness of the people, and the whole future of our beloved country demand that the war should be conducted at all costs to a victorious end. […]

In these decisive days in the life of Russia we have thought that we owed to our people the close union and organisation of all its forces for the realisation of a rapid victory; […] we have recognized that it is for the good of the country that we should abdicate the Crown of the Russian State and lay down the Supreme Power. […] we bequeath our heritage to our brother, the Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, with our blessing for the future of the Throne of the Russian State. We bequeath it our brother to govern in full union with the national representatives sitting in the Legislative Institutions, […] We call upon all faithful sons of our native land to fulfil their sacred and patriotic duty of obeying the Tsar at the painful moment of national trial and to aid them, together with the representatives of the nation, to conduct the Russian State in the way of prosperity and glory. May God help Russia.

Why? Who/what is to blame? War? War?

Have’s and Have Not’s… Have’s and Have Not’s…

Social discontents? Social discontents? May Day 1917

Opposition parties and leaders? Opposition parties and leaders? –April Theses – Lenin and Bolsheviks: “Bread, Peace, Land” –Germans had secretly helped smuggle Lenin back into Russia Lenin

Provisional Government Established in March – Kerensky and Lvov take control of country until new government structure is decided upon Established in March – Kerensky and Lvov take control of country until new government structure is decided upon July Days Bolsheviks attempt a coup – it fails and Provisional Govt stays in power. Lenin exiled again!

August – the Kornilov Affair General Kornilov (Commander in Chief of Army) tries to overthrow Provisional Gov’t in an attempt to bring in Conservative, Authoritative order. General Kornilov (Commander in Chief of Army) tries to overthrow Provisional Gov’t in an attempt to bring in Conservative, Authoritative order. Kerensky recruits Bolsheviks for help, liberating those who are imprisoned and providing them with weapons… uh oh!! Kerensky recruits Bolsheviks for help, liberating those who are imprisoned and providing them with weapons… uh oh!! Kornilov is removed from power and imprisoned Kornilov is removed from power and imprisoned

October Revolution First the Bolsheviks win the majority of seats in the Petrograd Soviet, Lenin returns First the Bolsheviks win the majority of seats in the Petrograd Soviet, Lenin returns Lenin, with Trotsky and the Red Guards seize control, Kerensky flees, Petrograd and Moscow Communists are in control Lenin, with Trotsky and the Red Guards seize control, Kerensky flees, Petrograd and Moscow Communists are in control

The Bolsheviks’ dilemma Came to power using support from popular opinion and values (Need the people) Came to power using support from popular opinion and values (Need the people) In power, having to contend with; In power, having to contend with; –Ideas and values about the revolution –Class suspicion of all elites –State must serve interests (Need to manage the people) “Days of monstrous contradiction” “Days of monstrous contradiction”

Vladimir Lenin ( )

Early Bolshevik political practice - “Dictatorship of the proletariat” Centralizing and authoritarian policies Centralizing and authoritarian policies –One-party government –Press control –Cheka (Extraordinary Commission for the Struggle with Counterrevolution, Sabotage, and Speculation) –Controlling economy and labour –Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Civil War ( )

How did Lenin impose Communist control in Russia between ? WE SHALL SEE…