Russian

Revolution
1. Reasons

2. Phases

3. Leninism/
Stalinism

4. Evaluation

A. Industrial
revolution
and
Emergence
of new class

D. Immediate
Cause

I. Reason's

B. Social
Causes

C. Role Of
Intellectuals

(a) From second half of 19th century Industrial Revolution started in Russia, due to Investment
done by Britain, France, Germany, etc.
Industrial Revolution led to the birth of the new classes that is middle class & capitalist class.
With the change in economy and society there was no change in Political order as it was still
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medieval in character that is monarchy based on principle of Autocracy. This was pain for the
new classes in Russia.
(b) In this situation when capitalist and middle class were in pain the warrior class i.e. laborours
and farmers were also suffering.
Labourors were the victim of exploitation done by capitalism.
Farmers were suffering because of Bastard feudalism.

Bastard Feudalism: Till the 2nd half of half of 19th century serfdom i.e. slavery of farmers
was a big problem of Russian society. Czar Alexander II abolished serfdom but his
successor Czar Alexander III to get the support of feudal class appointed land captains in
villages. These royal officers had executive-cum-judicial powers and they compelled
farmers to fulfill the interest of feudal class. This was called as Bastard Feudalism.

Therefore, the gun powder was present in Russian Society because all the three important
sections were in tension and trouble.

(c) Role of intellectuals and movements:

The gun powder was present in Russia the heat to it was provided by intellectuals &
movements. Eg. Makism Gorky in his famous novel mother presented the critical condition of
labourors in Russia Leo Tolstoy, Lenin made their contributions in this field.
In a illiterate and poor country intellectuals have less impact on masses, so Nihilism or
revolutionary movement played important part in awakening the people.
Nihilism: Nihilism believed in the philosophy of individualism and their objective was to attack
maligned officers and awaken the people. Eg. Lenins brother Alexander made an attempt on
Czar Alexander III. This group lacked mass support so it was easily crushed by the
government.
The task of awakening the masses was carried on by Nordinik movement. It was a peoples
movement with the objective to create mass awakening in Russia.

(d) Role of Czar Nicholas II:

Czar Nicholas II was a incompetent personality and was guided by incompetent people like
Rashputin. With the beginning of the war Lenin advised the king not to participate in the war as
Russia was still in developing stage. According to Lenin this war was of capitalist nations for
colonies Czar neglected the advice and this proved harmful for Nicholas II and his dynasty.
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A.Emergence
of Soviet

D. 1917
Revolution of
November

II. Phases

B. Provisional
Government

C. Emergence
of Linin

Ist Phase: Emergence of Soviet

Soviet means the union of different groups like labourors, farmers, soldier etc. The awakened
class (capitalist/middle class) wanted change in political order and they got the opportunity
when Russia was defeated by Japan in 1905. Czar created Duma(Russian parliament) in 1905
but as the parliament became the victim of Ideological struggle of different parties like
Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, cadets, octobrists etc. So Czar neglected Duma and once again
moved on the path of autocracy. The awakened class got the Next opportunity when Czar
decided to participate in 1st World War.
Initially Russians got some success & Czar was successful in controlling internal situation.
The story changed with the conquest of western Russia by Germany in 1916. This created
foodcrisis and unemployment which instigated the Warrior class in Russia. People gathered
around the palace of Czar demanding bread from him but he send the army to suppress the
people, army sided with the people. Czar instead of learning from this incident send probansky
(Royal body guards) to suppress both the groups, they also sided with the people. This was the
end of the status of Czar in Russia.
As army sided with the Soviet, so soviet became the new power centre in France. This was
march revolution of 1917 monarchy lost power and soviet became the power centre.
Provisional Government in Russia:
Soviet was the power in Russia but labourors and farmers lacked the art of polity and
administration, so Soviet allied with Duma and this lead to the formation of Provisional
Government in Russia.

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One of its important leader was Alexander Kerensky. This government immediately got
acceptance from the capitalists nations like Britain, France, U.S. etc. This created the tension
for provisional government because it derived its strength from Soviet and it got the
support from the capitalist powers. It became a very big challenge for the infant government
to satisfy the interest of two opposite groups when the nation was already in trouble.
In this background the decisions taken by this government instead of creating peace and
stability increased tension and trouble in Russia.
Decision
a). Continued their support to War
because it was in the interest of
their capitalist friends.
b). Refrained from inviting
constituent Assembly.
c). Maintained the option of
constitutional monarchy.
still fresh in the minds of the people.
d). Refrained from economic
main reason was fear of Soviet.

Tension
a). Germany still controlled western
part so food crisis and
Unemployment was maintained.
b). Feared the dominance of Soviet
and then constitution moving
towards Socialism.
c). This irritated the people because
Memory of misbehavior of Czar
d). They were still busy in War but reforms.

Eg.(and reforms meant

Movement of land from feudal
Class to farmers and Land less
labourers.)
Therefore, the new government failed to overcome the crisis, and its proved to be an
opportunity for the emergence of Lenin in Russia.
Emergence of Lenin:
As the provisional government failed to handle the situation in Russia So crisis increased in
Russia. Lenin was in exile and this was the right time for him to move towards Russia. He came
out with the following proposals:Provisional Government Decision
a). Continued to support the War.
b). Failed to organize constituent
Assembly.
c). Emphasis on Constitutional monarchy.
d). Failed to go for Economic reforms.

Proposal of Linen
a). Immediate end of War.
b). Regulations and management of
Industries in the hand of working class.
c). Production and distribution in nation
will be controlled by the state.
d). Soviet will be the State.

The proposal of Lenin appealed the masses and Germany. The proposal of pulling out
from war was a relief for Germany and Russia.

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As Germany will be free from eastern front while Russian economy will be alive so with the
backing of Germany Lenin return back to Russia and this lead to November Revolution of 1917.
November Revolution of 1917:
Lenin with the backing of Germany returns back to Russia & In the first phase he tried to
capture Russian Parliament. Government is always powerful at the centre so he was repulsed.
General Karnilov proposes for martial law in Russia and Lenin went underground. He organized
Soviet from bottom to the top. On 7th November 1917 he raised a slogan peace, prosperity and
development & with the help of the Soviet he occupied political and administrative structure of
Russia and this was November of 1917.

A.First Real
Revolution

D. Promotion
to aggresive
nationalism.
i.e. Nazism &
Facism

III. Evaluation

B. Inspiration
suffering
people

C. Victory of
communism
& Socialism

(a) Russian Revolution proved to be the first real revolution because for the first time power
came in the hand of working class which was evident by the birth of U.S.S.R.
(b) Marx gave the formula of liberation and it was practically implemented by Lenin. So it
became inspiration for all the suffering people in the world from Capitalism and Imperialism.
Eg. Bhagat singh and group in India.
(c) Victory of communalism and Socialism.
(d) Victory of communism in Russia became a threat for capitalist. So anyone who stood up
against communism and socialism get the support of Capitalist class. Eg. Hitler in Germany
and Mussolini in Italy.

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