Russian Revolution Flashcards
When did the February Revolution happen?
February 23 1917
How did Marx understand history?
A state of oppressor vs. oppressed eg feudal lords vs. serfs or bourgeoisie vs workers
For Marx, what was the driving force in society?
The economy. Whoever owned the means of production had all the power.
What did Marx see as inevitable?
conflict between the ruling class and oppressed class that would end in a new order - the dictatorship of the proletariat, which would end all wars.
Who did the Provisional Government represent most?
The nobility and urban population
What made the Provisional Government unpopular among some?
They didn’t end the war, and because they were provisional, didn’t want to make any big decisions that needed to be made.
Who was the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government?
Alexander Kerensky, part of the Socialist Revolutionary party.
What did the April These want?
Ten directives set out by Lenin. The end of the Provisional Government, which the Bolsheviks saws as a tool of the Bourgeoisie. The end of the war, which he believed was an imperialist war. All power in the hands of the Soviets, nationalization of lands and banks.
What were the July days
Days of demonstrations and violence in July 1917 in Petrograd. These were carried out primarily by Bolshevik supporters and their supporters in the army who were generally discontented by the ongoing situation, and especially by the disastrous offensive the Provisional Government had ordered the month prior on the front to try and garner more support. The Bolsheviks tried to topple the government, but were eventually suppressed by soldiers and police. This contributed to a decline in their popularity.
What was the Kornilov Affair?
Named Commander Kornilov of the Russian Army, this was a very confused affair that happened between August 27-30 1917. No one is sure what happened, but some possibilities are that Kornilov attempted a coup either on his own or through the machinations of other people, possibly even Kerensky himself, who may have been trying to position himself as a kind of savior of the country.
How was the First World War going for Russia?
Poorly. There were 3 million casualties. The Russian economy was ruined as skilled labourers and agricultural workers were drafted as soldiers. This created supply problems for soldiers as well as general food shortages for all involved. This led to the Bolshevik slogan “Peace, Land, Bread.”
