Communist USSR : CREATION OF THE USSR

Question 1

February 1917 Revolution

Answer 1

One reason for the creation of the USSR was the February 1917 Revolution when the Tsar abdicated as people lost faith in the Tsar. For example, in February 1917, committees of workers and soldiers organised strikes and demonstrations and stormed the Tsar’s Winter Palace. The people resented the economic hardship they had to bear, had little food, worked and lived in terrible conditions and was forced to fight in WWI under Tsar. Therefore, Tsar abdicated in 1917 as people took to the streets their dissatisfaction with his rule. A provisional government was thus formed which was the first step to creating the USSR.

Question 2

October 1917 Revolution

Answer 2

One reason for the creation of the USSR was the October 1917 Revolution when the provisional government was overthrown. For instance, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, called for “all power to the Soviets” and stormed the Winter Palace to overthrow the government. The people were unhappy with provisional government due decisions to continue in the WWI and its inability to solve economic problems. Therefore, the Bolsheviks established their own government and was the first step in creating the USSR in 1922.

Question 3

Civil War ( 1917-1922)

Answer 3

One reason for the creation of the USSR was the Bolshevik’s victory in the Russian Civil War. For instance, the Bolsheviks defeated the Whites in October 1922 due to greater unity, superior military tactics, and held greater amount of land and support from peasants. This was when the October Revolution sparked off a civil war between the Reds, Bolsheviks, and the Whites, pro-Tsar and anti-communist armies fought for control of Russia. Therefore, the opposition was defeated and Lenin announced the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922.