The Impact of the Russian Revolution on Modern History

The Russian Revolution

In October 1917, the first worker and peasant revolution in history triumphed in Russia. The early Russian discourse on revolution was shaped by the largest empire in the world, where feudalism still held sway. The Tsar had absolute power, and most of the population were peasants whose lands were owned by large landowners.

Causes of the Revolution

• Demand for citizenship rights and freedoms
• Poverty of the peasantry and the proletariat
• Russia's participation in World War I: defeat of the Central Empires, rising prices, and shortages of essential goods
• Poor people's participation in the Duma
• Constitutional issues with a few liberal reforms

Revolution of 1917

In February 1917, peasants, workers, and soldiers staged a revolution that led to the abdication of Nicholas II, resulting in Russia becoming a democratic republic. The provisional government of the bourgeois republic admitted to the rights and freedoms of citizens but failed to meet the two main demands of farmers and workers: to stop the war and alleviate poverty.

Consequently, the majority of the population supported the Soviets, which were assemblies of delegates representing workers, peasants, and soldiers. Within the Soviets, the Bolshevik Party, led by Lenin, gained increasing influence. Lenin encouraged the peasants and soldiers to rise against the interim government, promising that the first measures would include signing peace with Germany and ending poverty.

October Revolution

In October 1917, the Bolsheviks led a revolution that resulted in the collapse of the provisional government and the establishment of the first communist government in history. The new government, headed by Lenin, implemented a series of measures to abolish private property and achieve peace with Germany.

Bolshevik Government Measures

• Expropriation of estates from the nobility and the church
• Nationalization of banks
• Expropriation of factories

These measures were aimed at ending the war and signing peace with the Central Empires, with Russia conceding vast territories in return.