Introduction
The pivotal event that fundamentally altered the nature of politics on a worldwide scale was the Russian Revolution. The Bolsheviks, a Marxist revolutionary group, destroyed the Tsarist government in Russia while the world watched in horror. Early in 1917, the Revolution began, and it lasted until 1923. Two revolutions and the start of a civil war in Russia were part of this insurgent period. It developed over time as a result of the Tsar’s monarchical government’s inefficiency and dishonest practices, growing dissatisfaction among racial minorities, peasants, the military, and workers, Russia’s involvement in World War I, and the dire state of the Russian economy. All of these issues ultimately resulted in a violent Revolution.
Economic and Social Conditions
Before the Russian Revolution of 1917, society was split into royalty and aristocracy, which made up only 12.5% of the population, and peasants, who made up about 82% of the population and the working class, which made up 4%. Russia was unable to participate in the huge Industrial Revolution that other regions of Europe saw. Thus, the middle-class population in Russia did not increase significantly. Only 1.5% of the population was represented.
Due to the lack of middle-class people, a small number of people have come to control much of the money and power. As a result, the powerful population was ruled by autocratic kings. The majority of the landowners were members of the nobility and royalty. Therefore, those who suffered the most during the Tsarist dictatorship were the rural peasantry and the urban working class. Early 19th-century Russia had extremely low social conditions, from the life expectancy rate to literacy, schools, roads, hygiene, and sanitation.
Russia began to experience industrialization in the early 20th century. It resulted in a number of political and social reforms. Still, agricultural labour was more important in Russia. The peasants who farmed the land were released from serfdom in 1861 by the earlier Tsar Alexander II, but they were never given the opportunity to become proprietors. They laboured in the fields of other landowners since they lacked land. As the government paid the landowners, peasants were given land to work on. The peasants were consequently compelled to reimburse the government for this money. Their discontent was unrestrained. Due to the fact that the majority of lands were privately owned, the peasants attempted to protest this injustice and called for land reform at the beginning of the 20th century. Poor, disgruntled peasants began to migrate to cities almost as soon as the 19th century ended. They were exposed to cosmopolitan ideology and industrialised urban culture.
Policy of Russification
The “Russification” strategy of the Tsar forced numerous nationalities to renounce their culture and languages, which infuriated them. Even Russians had a limited range of privileges. They were supposed to carry out all their responsibilities and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the rulers. As a result, Tsar Nicholas II’s rule was becoming less and less popular with the populace, which had earlier supported him with slogans like “One Tsar. One Church. One Russia.”
The First World War
In 1914, the First World War added fuel to the already-burning inferno. Russia’s decision to join the conflict increased the need for industry workers to generate war materials. The already irate employees grew enraged. People in general were backing the workers because they shared their opposition to Russia’s involvement in the conflict. The unskilled peasants enrolled as factory workers, while the workers were forced to serve in the military. Millions of Russian soldiers died in World War I before the end of 1916. Russia experienced a severe famine that affected the entire nation. Because of the paucity of military supplies and equipment, which made their defeats worse, the military also began to revolt.
Implications
The military was ordered by the administration to shoot the demonstrators, but they refused. The Russian army’s uprising in February 1917 in and around Petrograd served as the catalyst for the revolution. The troops believed that if the Tsar resigned, Russia’s situation would improve. As a result, the Tsar relinquished his position of authority, and the Russian Provisional Government, which served capitalist interests, took over. The outcomes did not satisfy the working-class folks. Later, the working class joined forces with the extreme-left Bolsheviks to start the infamous October Revolution, which was followed by the Russian Civil Wars, which ultimately resulted in the foundation of the Soviet Union.
Summary
The Russian Revolution was a noteworthy occurrence that forever changed the course of human history. Beginning with the February Revolution, it underwent a number of changes that eventually resulted in the October Revolution, the Russian Civil War, and the transfer of power to the Bolshevik party, which created the Soviet Union. Before the revolution, Russian society was in a precarious state. The Tsarist regime’s careless, dishonest, and inadequate governance, Russia’s involvement in World War I despite its economic ruin, the growing discontent of the peasants, workers, militaries, and ethnic minorities, and differences in political opinions among various groups all contributed to the legendary Russian Revolution of 1917.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Before the 1917 Revolution in Russia how was the Situation of Socialist Parties?
Ans. Prior to 1914, the Russian government outlawed all political parties, although in the late 19th century, the Socialists were still actively operating in Russia’s rural districts. The socialists founded the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party in 1898. It adhered to Marxist principles. In 1900, the Socialist Revolutionary Party was also founded.
2.What is Duma and why was it Built?
Ans. Following the people’s strike, the Tsar published the “October Manifesto,” in which he proposed creating a democratic, elective parliament that would give the people more control. The name of this democratic legislature was Duma. However, the Tsar disbanded the first two Dumas because he believed they were not working with him.
3.How did the Revolutionary Tribunal Operate?
Ans. The Revolutionary Tribunals were established during the Russian Revolution and Civil War in order to combat the counter-revolutionaries. It was attempting to stop the elements who wished to destroy the revolution while also advancing it unhindered. When the Provisional Government of Russia was unable to administer justice for the Russian people, it operated as a supporting institution.
4.What Function did the Church Services during the Russian Revolution?
Ans. The Russian Orthodox Church collaborated with the Tsar. By claiming that the Tsar was chosen by God in their official theology, they strengthened the dictatorial rule of the Tsar. They claimed that any demonstrations against their “little father” would be viewed as an insult. Churches received funding for advancing the Tsar’s agenda.