Russian Revolution 1917: Opposition, Parties, and Crises

Organized Opposition to Tsarism

Organized opposition to the Tsarist regime demanded political freedom, social change, and economic reforms. Early movements included:

Populist Agrarian Socialism

The Populists advocated agrarian socialism, based on the collectivization of land and freedom for the peasantry. They created organizations to disseminate their thoughts and carry out terrorist acts, but largely failed.

Anarchists and The People's Will

Anarchists formed another terrorist organization, **The People's Will** (Narodnaya Volya), which successfully assassinated Tsar Alexander II.

The Rise of Marxist Socialism

While others moved toward a revolutionary socialist party, in 1898, the **Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party (RSDWP)** was founded, inspired by Marxist revolutionary principles. However, it split into the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks in 1903:

• Mensheviks: Argued that Russia must first undergo a bourgeois revolution and develop a capitalist economy before achieving a socialist revolution.
• Bolsheviks: Advocated the immediate overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a *dictatorship of the proletariat*.

Political Movements Leading to 1917

During the 1905 Revolution era, several key political parties emerged:

• Socialist-Revolutionary Party (SRs): Formed in 1905, this party inherited Populist ideals and focused on agrarian reform.
• Constitutional Democratic Party (Kadets): Formed by the liberal bourgeoisie around 1905, seeking to transform the absolute Tsarist regime into a constitutional monarchy.

The Russian Revolution of 1917: February Phase

The Revolution of 1917 is divided into two phases. The February Revolution was caused by several factors:

1. A severe supply crisis and food shortages led to spontaneous *sublevations* in Petrograd.
2. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, leading to the formation of a Provisional Government.

The Provisional Government (March–October 1917)

The Provisional Government was characterized by **Dual Power**:

• The official Provisional Government.
• The Soviets (councils of workers and soldiers) which held power in the streets.

The Provisional Government introduced several reforms:

• Promised the election of a universally elected Constituent Assembly.
• Amnesty for political prisoners.
• Granting of civil rights.

However, the Provisional Government erred by continuing Russia's involvement in World War I, creating widespread discontent in the army and among the populace.

Lenin's April Theses and Subsequent Crises

3. Lenin returned to Russia from exile in Switzerland and established his **April Theses**, which promised:

• An immediate end to the war.
• Land distribution to the peasants.
• “All Power to the Soviets” (withdrawing support for the Provisional Government).

During this crisis, the Bolsheviks attempted a failed armed insurrection (the July Days). Lenin was subsequently exiled to Finland. The slogan “All Power to the Soviets” gained traction among the Soviets of workers, peasants, and soldiers, but the initial Bolshevik attempt failed due to lack of widespread support. The Kornilov Coup: Kerensky armed the population (including Bolsheviks) to prevent the right-wing military coup led by General Kornilov.