The Russian Revolution: From Tsarist Autocracy to Stalinism

The Tsarist Autocracy

The empire of the Tsars was a vast country where absolute monarchy still prevailed. Its economy was the most backward on the European continent. The Tsar ruled by decree and was not subject to any constitution. A loyal bureaucracy and a powerful army secured control of the Empire, while the Orthodox Church was a major pillar of this regime. Agriculture was the main economic activity, and the land was in the hands of a few landowners. Most of the population consisted of peasants. In some parts of the empire, an industrial process driven by foreign investment had begun.

The February Revolution

The circumstances of World War I in Russia created the conditions for a revolutionary explosion. Neither the economy nor the Russian political and military organization were ready for such a long war. Military disasters were frequent. The mobilization of millions of farmers led to a decline in agricultural production and spread widespread unrest. This discredited the Tsar. The population was demoralized and began to organize into soviets—councils of workers, peasants, and soldiers. The political opposition to the Tsar took advantage of the circumstances and demanded his abdication.

Civil War and the Creation of the USSR

The new Soviet government faced a civil war that lasted three years. A fraction of the tsarist army, primarily composed of peasants, organized the so-called White Army to rise up in arms. The Bolsheviks created the Red Army, under the leadership of Leon Trotsky, which was ultimately victorious. The war left the country mired in poverty, with hunger causing millions of deaths and production plummeting. The USSR was established as a federal state that brought together all the nationalities of the old empire. The USSR was ruled by a parliament, but a single party controlled all political life.

Stalinism

Stalinist policy imposed a collectivized economy and society to foster growth and make the USSR a great power. It followed these guidelines:

• Private ownership was prohibited, and land, factories, banks, and transport became state property.
• Heavy industry was prioritized to build the necessary infrastructure.
• A command economy was instituted and directed by the state.

The result was rapid industrialization, but agriculture was considerably delayed. The priority on heavy industry led to the neglect of consumer goods production, and many of the population's needs were overlooked.