The Russian Revolution: Key Events and Outcomes

Tsarist Russia

• Autocratic Monarchy: Nicholas II exercised his power as an absolute ruler.
• Diversity of Nationalities: Russia was a vast empire with many ethnic groups.
• Agriculture-Based Economy: The economy relied heavily on farming.
• Formation of the RSDWP: In the late 19th century, the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party was created.

RSDWP Split in 1903

• Bolsheviks: Advocated for the working classes.
• Mensheviks: Favored alliances with liberalism.

Revolution of 1905

• Causes: Severe economic, political, and social crisis.
• Russo-Japanese War Defeat: Russia's loss in the war fueled discontent.
• Spark: Bloody Sunday: Peaceful protestors were fired upon by the Tsar's troops.
• Consequences:
  • Popular outrage provoked a prerevolutionary situation.
  • The first Soviet was created to coordinate workers.
  • Creation of the Duma: a national legislative assembly.
  • Agrarian reform with the distribution of lands.
  • Limited individual and citizens' liberties were granted.

1914: World War I Begins

The war led to the demoralization of the army and the people.

Revolutions of 1917

February 1917

• Spark: The imposition of ration cards.
• Slogans: "Peace, Bread, and Land."
• Action: The Duma and forces of order pressured the Tsar.
• Outcome: The Tsar was obliged to abdicate.
• Provisional Government: Formed by the Duma and Soviets; established democratic freedoms, a constituent assembly, and political amnesty.

October 1917

• Kerensky's Decision: Entrusted the supreme command of the army to General Kornilov.
• Military Dictatorship Spark: This action sparked a new revolution.
• October 24th-25th: Bolsheviks occupied strategic points, took the Winter Palace, and dismissed the government.
• Triumph: Shots from the cruiser Aurora announced the triumph of the revolution.

First Revolutionary Government

• Decrees: Issued decrees on peace and land.
• Constituent Assembly Dissolved: In November 1917, the Bolsheviks forcibly dissolved the Constituent Assembly and took full power.
• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918): Ended the war with Germany, resulting in Russia losing Finland, Poland, the Baltic states, and Ukraine.

Russian Civil War (1918-1920)

• Conflict: Tensions between Bolsheviks and outlying regions led to civil war.
• Armies: Fought between the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks) and the Red Army (Bolsheviks).
• Economy: Implemented War Communism, with the economy controlled by the government.
• Politics: Consolidated the Bolshevik regime.
• Formation of the USSR: In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was born.

NEP (New Economic Policy, 1921-1928)

Introduced as a solution to the critical economic situation.

The Stalin Era

• Lenin's Death: Lenin died in 1924.
• Stalin's Rise: Stalin established himself as the undisputed leader.
• Trotsky's Expulsion: Trotsky was expelled from the USSR.
• Economy: The objective was to make the USSR self-sufficient in industry and military terms. The Soviet state assumed total control of the economy through the instrument of the Five-Year Plans.