The Russian Revolution

Question 1

CAUSES AND CONTEXT

Answer 1

ideas based on Marxism and eventually Communism; mass casualties, widespread hunger, rotting crops, shortage of parts and fuel for railroads&raquo_space; workers joining soviets (councils) that took over factories (ultimate loss of support for Tsar Nicholas II)

Two stages to the revolution:

1. March Revolution: Tsar Nicholas II was abdicated and replaced with a Provisional (temporary) government
2. October Revolution: Lenin and the Bolsheviks removed the Provisional Government from power

Question 2

RESULTS OF THE ABDICATION OF THE TSAR

Answer 2

many new trade unions in Moscow and St. Petersburg to defend workers rights and interests

Question 3

LAND REFORM

Answer 3

the Decree on Land published by Lenin abolished private ownership of property and peasants were given control of the land that they seized

Question 4

CIVIL WAR

Answer 4

the Bolsheviks seized power by the end of 1917 and Lenin wanted to end the war, land for peasants, workers’ control of factories&raquo_space; civil war against tsar officials, landlords, nationalists, US, GB, France, Japanese troops

Bolsheviks still won in 1921&raquo_space; formation of the USSR

Question 5

STALIN AND TOTALITARIANISM

Answer 5

Stalin sought social equality and the promotion of cultural values of selflessness and collectivism&raquo_space; political system dominated by the Communist Party (elites had some privileges but were expected to follow Marxist ideology), became “totalist”

Question 6

TOTALITARIANISM

Answer 6

the state has control of the economy, officials ensured that all media, art, etc. conformed to approved ways of thinking

Question 7

RURAL AREAS

Answer 7

between 1928-1933, peasants were forced to large-scale collective farms (better production than small farms); Stalin deported richer peasants (kulaks) because of their strong resistance to collective farming and killed some&raquo_space; famine with 5 million deaths

Question 8

CITIES GOALS

Answer 8

main goal in cities was rapid industrialization involving state ownership of property, priority to heavy-industry, massive mobilization of people and resources&raquo_space; elimination of unemployment, foundations for industrialization, urbanization, and increased literacy rates&raquo_space; greater social mobility