Russian Politics

In the first half of the 10th century

The Russian Revolution of 1917
February Revolution
Begins with a strike of about 1000 people
in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), and grows into a
series of city-wide riots and demonstrations.
Results in the deposition of the Russian
Tzar Nicholas II, and the establishment of the
Provisional Government by the Russian
Parliament.
Causes Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, a
Marxist revolutionary group, to believe that
Russia is ready for socialist government.
October Revolution
Lenins Bolsheviks and the Soviets
(workers councils elected by the workers
themselves) have grown in popularity as the
Provisional Government consistently fails to
represent the Russian People.
The Bolshevik Red Army, under the
command of Leon Trotsky, storms the Winter
Palace and places the city under Soviet control.
Russian Civil War
World War I
After taking power, Lenin negotiated
peace with Germany, ending Russian
involvement in the First World War.
Bolsheviks and the White Army
The Bolsheviks, having taken Petrograd,
sought to gain control over all of Russia. They
were opposed by the supporters of the former
Tzar, and much of the international community,
which were known collectively as the Whites.
The Bolsheviks took the name of the Reds.
Bolshevik Victory
Under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky,
the Bolsheviks were able to win the Russian
Civil War.
Trotsky was able to organize the Red
Army into an effective fighting unit, and the
Bolsheviks held key strategic cities and
infrastructure at the Civil Wars beginning.
The Bolsheviks made effective use of
propaganda and the quick removal of dissenters
to build a highly motivated base of supporters.
A Bolshevik victory came in the year 1922
Lenins Death and Stalins Rise to Power
Lenin and Stalin
Lenin ruled over the Soviet Union until his
death in the year 1924. He was replaced by
Joseph Stalin, who had been a close associate
of his and had held important positions in the
Bolshevik movement.
Stalins policies led to mass famine in what
was now the Soviet Union, especially Ukraine.
Its likely that he caused the Ukrainian famine in
order to punish them for having a strong
movement for independence. Between 2.4 and
7.5 million people died.
A brief breakdown of Stalin
A poor childhood that lead into a position
in a religious school. He left school after learning
of Marxism, and began to work towards the
Bolshevik cause.
He underwent several exiles, and
gradually rose through the ranks of the
Bolsheviks. He would often organize criminal
affairs to raise money for the party.
He was known for his cold demeanor and
cruelty. Stalin was not a kind man.
Stalins Rule
Stalins policies were harmful to the workers and
likely quite unpopular.
However, Stalin frequently had those who
opposed him imprisoned and killed.
His successor, Nikita Khrushchev, went on to
completely denounce Stalins politics.
Stalins legacy is generally considered to be an
overall negative.
The First World War
Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with
Hitler, which Hitler then went on to break.
He also caused the battle of Stalingrad by
refusing to allow a retreat. The battle lasted for
over a year and resulted in over a million
casualties.
The war was eventually won, but with an
enormous death toll.
Stalins unwillingness to listen to his
advisors caused much needless loss of life.