Tsarist Russia & the Russian Revolution: A Concise History
1. Tsarist Russia in the Early 20th Century
In 1900, Russia, a diverse nation with over 140 million people, faced significant social and political challenges.
Czarism
Russia’s economy and society lagged behind other European powers. The political system rested on the Tsar’s absolute authority, supported by the nobility, senior administration, army, and Orthodox Church. While Alexander II introduced reforms like abolishing serfdom in 1861, the Tsar’s power and the nobility’s influence remained intact.
Rise of Political Parties
The Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP), founded in 1898, drew inspiration from Marxist principles. A key figure, Lenin, played a crucial role in the party’s direction. In 1903, the party split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks:
- Mensheviks: Believed Russia needed a bourgeois revolution to develop a capitalist economy before transitioning to socialism.
- Bolsheviks: Aimed to overthrow the Tsar and establish a socialist state directly.
The Cadet Party sought to transform the Tsarist autocracy into a constitutional monarchy that respected individual rights.
Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolution
In 1905, peaceful protests turned tragic when the Tsar’s guards fired upon demonstrators, an event known as Bloody Sunday. This sparked widespread unrest and led to the rise of Soviets, councils composed of local workers. Leon Trotsky emerged as a prominent leader within the St. Petersburg Soviet.
October Manifesto and the Dumas
Following the unrest, Tsar Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, granting civil liberties and establishing a representative government with a parliament called the Duma. However, the Tsar dissolved the first two Dumas due to their demands for greater power. The third Duma, more conservative, served a full term, while the fourth Duma, also conservative, lasted until 1917 and criticized the Tsar’s policies during World War I.
2. The February Revolution and Provisional Government
In March 1917, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, and a provisional government, led by the Cadets and including Alexander Kerensky as Minister of Justice, was formed. This period saw two parallel powers: the provisional government and the Soviets. The provisional government implemented reforms, including amnesty, civil liberties, disbanding the Tsarist police, promising land redistribution to peasants, preparing for elections to a constituent assembly, and granting independence to Finland and Poland. However, the government faced ongoing crises.
3. The Bolshevik Revolution and Civil War
April Theses and the Bolshevik Rise
Lenin’s April Theses outlined the Bolshevik strategy, advocating for a break with the provisional government and a transition to socialist revolution. An attempted Bolshevik uprising led to the party being outlawed and Lenin fleeing to Finland. Trotsky was imprisoned, and Kerensky formed a new coalition government.
October Revolution
With Trotsky leading the Petrograd Soviet, the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917. They took control of key infrastructure, and the Winter Palace was surrounded. Kerensky fled, and Lenin and Trotsky formed the Council of People’s Commissars, with Lenin as chairman.
Creation of the Soviet State
The Congress of Soviets adopted measures to establish a socialist state, including the Decree on Peace, calling for an end to World War I, and the Decree on Land, expropriating land from large landowners. Other measures included factory and mine control, an eight-hour workday, the right to self-determination for nationalities, and plans for a Constituent Assembly. Lenin also issued a decree on the press, allowing him to suppress opposing viewpoints. An armistice was agreed upon, leading to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, which resulted in territorial losses for Russia and the independence of several nations.
Civil War
Lenin’s decision to dissolve the Constituent Assembly and establish a totalitarian regime sparked opposition, leading to the Russian Civil War. The”Whit” forces, composed of Tsarist loyalists and other opponents of the Bolsheviks, received support from foreign powers. The Bolsheviks, led by Trotsky’s Red Army, ultimately prevailed in 1920, consolidating their control over Russia.