Russian Revolution Flashcards
What is communism ?
People have accepted the new system which is classless where they all work together for the good of everyone and are all paid and treated equally.
What is capitalism ?
Wealthy people ( capitalists ) invest their money in land and industry , and employ workers and keep all profits made.
What is socialism ?
When workers rise up and overthrow their bosses. All the land and industry is owned by the government. A strong government is needed to stop the bosses to take over again.
Why is communism an attractive alternative to capitalism ?
Communism has become a movement of the organized working class struggling against the injustice of capitalists exploitation. The roots of this revolution lie in the French Revolution. Karl Marx became critical of the conditions workers were expected to work and live in. Capitalism was to be blamed and he had his own ideas on how the society should function.
Why did the first challenge to capitalism occur in Russia ?
In 1900 two continents were straddled ( Europe and Asia ), there were poor communications as it was underdeveloped, it was socially divided and hierarchical in structure. The minority were wealthy and the majority were extremely poor and had no say in how the country was ruled.
How has Russia experienced capitalism ?
They had political , social and economic problems. Majority of the population suffered extreme hardship. Most of Russia’s wealth came from farming , but the old methods and terrible winter ruined the harvest. The transport was poor and this led to frequent famines. There was no money for improvements and very little of Russia’s agriculture was mechanized. They lived and worked up in appalling conditions for long hours with a low wage.
How did Russia start becoming better again?
In the early 20th century the development was made with help from foreign investment. Railways , factories etc were built and the town became a popular spot for restarting as many land people moved to town to start anew.
What form of government operated in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century ?
Russia was ruled by emperors called the Tsars , they were members of the Romanov Royal family. They had complete control of the government and didn’t get advice from anyone.
What did the tsar have control over ?
Newspapers were censored and the tsars secret police had agents in every town and village. He had the biggest peacetime army with 2.6 million soldiers.
Give a brief outline of the tsar ?
He was 26 when he became king and found decision making difficult. His wife, the tsarina was a German princess who goes by the name Alexandra. She urged him to be forceful. Their first four children were all girls but their fith child , Alexis , a boy was born. Unfortunately with a disease that had no cure. Hemophiliac. This led to Alexandra becoming very protective over her son as he was to take over his father as king in the future.
What did the tsarina do in her times of doubt and worry ?
She turned to help from a holy man called Grigori Rasputin. He was a drunkard and a womanizer. Though he was able to stop Alexis bleeding. Alexandra and Nicholas saw him as a miracle worker , and they soon began to refer and ask him for advice regarding decision making for the country.
How was capitalism overthrown in Russia in 1917?
There were two revolutions. The bourgeois revolution and the proletarian revolution.
What was the impact of work war one on Russia ?
More peasants moved into towns as more weapons were being made in the factories. Prices rose steeply and the price of food became very problematic. Millions of men and horses were drafted into war and this had a serious effect on the production of food on farms. Russian armies suffered huge casualties and this leg to the aggravation of soldiers towards the way the war was being managed. Later the tsar took over as commander in chief and so later he was then blamed personally for the defeats. Inflation increased and the food shortages were caused by the war, this created a revolutionary climate in Petrograd. 20 000 workers went on strike and the next day were joined by thousands of socialists. Strikes and riots occurred. Troops refused to fire on the demonstrators and then there were no more soldiers guarding the winter palace and Petrograd was in the hands of the revolutionaries. The tsars army was no longer loyal to him. He was basically forced to give up his throne. He abdicated thus ending 500 years of Tsarits rule in Russia. Later that month the March revolution occurred.
