Russia 1917-1991 Flashcards
Outline the order of Marxism.
• Primitive Communism
• Feudalism
• Capitalism
• Socialism
• Communism
Primitive Communism
Political: no government
Social:
No classes
Very few commodities (substance or product that can be bought, traded or sold)
Feudalism
Political: some form of monarchy (usually absolute)
Society:
• dominant social group: aristocracy
• mass of population: peasantry (merchants etc with occasional peasant revolts)
Capitalism
Political: parliamentary democracy, defending ‘bourgeois’ (materialistic or conventional attitudes) liberal principles.
Society:
• dominant social group: middle class (especially industrials)
• mass of the population: working class (proletariat, i.e. industrials) - According to Marx, these would automatically develop socialist consciousness.
Socialism
Political: Workers control the state to
resist counter-revolution.
‘Dictator ship of the
proletariat. As the threat
diminished, the state becomes less powerful.
Society:
Becoming more equal.
Class system breaking down.
Wealth and goods obtained under capitalism now fairly distributed.
Communism
Political: no state, just the ‘administration of things’.
Society: no classes, all equal, plentiful goods fairly shared.
The order of how each stage of Marxism would move into the next stage
1) There is a growth of trade between Primitive Communism and Feudalism.
2) Between Feudalism and Capitalism there is a Bourgeois Revolution.
3) Between Capitalism and Socialism there is a Socialist Revolution.
4) Between Socialism and Capitalism there is a gradual transition.
What was the appeal of Marxism?
Marxism was made particularly appealing to the peasants and working classes (especially) because of the equal pay, the idea that oppression would be lifted with the communist phase due to there being no ruling class.
The socialist phase would also be appealing in the idea that the working classes actually have the opportunity to rule and become the dictators (actually being able to make a change).
It also meant that there would be an improved standard of living.
Why was Marxism particularly worrying for the government?
The idea of Marxism was particularly worrying for the government and elites because throughout the different stages of Marxist society, they will be overruled.
It would take away the elites’ power and this will be achieved through a revolution (forceful conflict and violence).
What were Lenin’s adaptations to Marx’s development into communism?
Lenin’s adaptations were:
• that they needed a tight communist party to lead the revolution.
• that the working classes would have to do the bourgeois revolution.
Why did the Feb/March revolution take place - 1917?
Reasons why the Feb/March revolution took place: (notes from my homework)
• There was a collapse of order within the Russian Army.
• The Tsar (who was already unpopular) had declared himself the Supreme Commander of the army. He now controlled the army from the inside at a high status (in a place where it was hard to move up ranks on merit - so there was already little motivation).
• The war had resulted in a lack of supplies (I.e food and fuel) across the entire country. From this, starvation became common and there were many casualties, greatly effecting the Russian population and making them very unhappy.
• The soldiers were unhappy with their involvement in the war. Many were unhappy being used to fire on their own (peasants mostly) when squashing revolutions etc.
• The Tsar kept them in the war (his popularity already dwindling).
How did WW1 affect Russia?
Impact on the home front:
• Russian economy was ruined by the war as there was not enough man power to work in the fields and other economic areas as 36.5 million men were helping with the war effort.
• Food became sparse - food became too expensive (when it was available - often it wasn’t) and so starvation became common. The existing problem of transport added to this as it was all being focused on the war effort and so was not being used to transport food around the country. A harsh winter added to this issue.
The Tsar:
• Between 1914 and 1917 the Tsar failed to supply unity within the country. The Tsar lost his influence and power with masses supporting his removal.
Military Leadership:
• The Tsar declared himself to be Supreme Commander (the military was already struggling). This caused the Tsars (already fragile) popularity to crumble due to there being over 7 million Russian casualties by early 1917.
• With his involvement in the war, the Tsar left his wife in charge. Not only did this leave the Tsarina in charge, she was also German.
The end of the Romanov Dynasty:
• This meant that there was an increasing realistic possibility of a large scale rebellion in the Russian Army due to how the war had been managed.
Other:
• Soldiers revolted due to the lack of supplies during the war (e.g fuel). Police and government places were destroyed and ransacked.
• The Tsar dissolved the Duma (end to any sort of democracy).
How democratic was the Provisional Government?
Democratic:
• The government introduced suffrage: the right of the citizens to participate in universal and equal elections using a secret ballot system.
• The coalition was supposed to have a short life - ending as soon as a general election (v democratic) would take place.
• Alexander Kerensky took steps to increase personal freedom in Russia (sounds democratic…)
• Freedom of speech was introduced for the press and people - more freedom than Tsarism.
• Amnesty was granted to political and religious prisoners.
Undemocratic:
• They didn’t leave the war despite the number of people who wanted to.
Who was involved in the February revolution and what was their role?
• The Russian Army and Navy were involved and refused to fight/shoot and held protests.
• Workers and the general public were rioting and spreading leaflets.
• The Duma (middle class + landowner members) asked the Tsar to return and sort the issues out.
• Women would riot (especially about the price of food) and specifically moved international women’s day.
What happened on the 2nd of March 1917?
On the 2nd of March 1917, 6/7 front line generals told the Tsar to abdicate (believing that his brother would take over - however he refused) which is some evidence to suggest that this could have been a coup ( a virtual coup - Chris Read) rather than a revolution that got the Tsar to step down
