Russian Revolution 1917: Causes and Key Players

The Russian Revolution of 1917

Background: From Serfdom to Discontent

The Communist Revolution, carried out in October 1917 in Russia, was the culmination of decades of social and political unrest. As late as 1861, serfdom still existed in Russia, a remnant of the feudal regime. While Tsar Alexander II freed the serfs in 1861, the legacy of this system continued to shape the country's social fabric.

Tsarism and the Russo-Japanese War

Tsarism, an absolutist monarchy, remained in place in Russia until 1905. The disastrous Russo-Japanese War of 1905, which involved mass mobilization, fueled popular discontent. Workers, seeking an end to autocracy and the establishment of a constitutional regime, staged riots. The Tsarist regime responded with brutal force.

The Rise of Revolutionary Parties

In 1901, the Revolutionary Socialist Party was formed, advocating for a constitution and universal suffrage. In 1903, the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party split into two factions:

• The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, advocated for a radical, left-wing revolution to establish communism.
• The Mensheviks, representing a more conservative socialist approach.

These parties, along with other groups, operated underground, forming Soviets (workers' councils) to organize and voice their demands.

World War I and the February Revolution

The strain of World War I further weakened the Tsarist regime. In 1917, the Bolsheviks, capitalizing on popular discontent, joined forces with the liberal-cadet party to overthrow the Tsar. Russia transitioned into a liberal state, and Kerensky, a socialist, assumed leadership. He promised a socialist republic, elections, and withdrawal from World War I.

However, this new government was young and inexperienced. The old power structure, consisting of the Russian aristocracy and the Orthodox Church, opposed Kerensky.

The October Revolution and Civil War

In late 1917, Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin orchestrated the October Revolution, seizing power from the provisional government. This sparked a brutal civil war (1918-1920) between the Red Army (Bolsheviks, workers, and laborers) and the White Army (Tsarists, liberals, and the aristocracy).

War Communism and the NEP

During the war, the Bolsheviks implemented "War Communism," nationalizing all property. In 1920, they established the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Recognizing the devastating economic impact of War Communism, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921. The NEP allowed for limited private property and small-scale private enterprise, particularly for peasants. This helped to revive the ruined economy but also led to the emergence of a new middle class, seen by some as enemies of the revolution.

The Rise of Stalin

After Lenin's death in 1924, a power struggle ensued between Trotsky and Stalin. Stalin ultimately prevailed, becoming the leader of the USSR. Trotsky was exiled and later assassinated. Stalin established a totalitarian regime, ruling with an iron fist until his death in 1953. Trotsky, in exile, denounced Stalin's dictatorship, highlighting the suffering of workers and peasants under his rule.

The Legacy of Stalinism

The Third International (Comintern) became dominated by Stalinists. Many argue that Stalinism represented a betrayal of the original ideals of communism, transforming the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state.