Russia before Stalin

The collapse of Tsarism

Tsars simply ignored, exiled or executed radicals who called for reform
1905, a year of revolution revealed the vunerability of the Tsars position
End of year, Tsar Nicholas II forced to concede
Promised limited civil rights and an elected Parliamnet (the Duma)
New laws soon reasserted the Tsars supreme power
1914, Tsarism seemed secure
The outbreak of WW1 rallied Russia's people behind their Tsar for a short while
Strains of war were too much for Russia's backwards economy and outdated political system
Russia had very little industry and was consequently unable to produce the weapons and supplies needed to fight effectively.
War production slowed down the manufacture of consumer goods, food became scarce
Made worse by so many peasants fighting at the front
1917, Russia faced economic collapse and military defeat
The people of Moscow and Petrograd revolted
Tsar Nicholas ordered his army to crush the uprising but instead they joined the crowds
Called for overthrow of the Tsar
No support from his people or Army
February 1917 Tsar forced to abdicate
Power handed to 'Provisional Government' (formed very quickly)

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April 1917, Lenin returned to Russia
Said a new kind of government was needed
Currently councils were set up spontaneously across the country
As the Provisional Government broke down these councils (soviets) took over the management of local affairs
Soviets highly democratic
Represented workers, peasants and soldiers
Lenin thought these soviets represented a form of workers' democracy that was superior to the elected parliament promised by the Provisional Government
Lenin demanded that the soviets seize power on behalf of the workers and peasants
Initially Lenin gained little support
Economic conditions worsened and military victory didn't happen
Lenin's call for 'PEACE LAND BREAD' became increasingly attractive
1917, Provisional Government lost all credibility
Lenin argued for an armed seizure of power
Lenin's daring plan was carried out 25th October
Early hours of 26th October Lenin proclaimed the birth of the world's first socialist republic

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Lenin's bold ideas were motivated by a particular ideology known as Marxist-Leninism
Idea's of 2 mean (Marx and Lenin)
Aiming to achieve complete Communism (human equality, no government necessary)
Live together in 'Primitive communism'
Stages were: Primitive Communism... Feudalism... Capitalism... Socialism... Communism
Change from each stage would be accomplished by a revolution
Marx believed capitalist societies would be dominated between two classes (bourgeoisie and proletariat)
These classes would clash and lead to a final revolution
This would abolish the class system and create a socialist society
Lenin believed this was his mission
He argued because Russia was a 'backward' country, a revolution would not happen spontaneously
Many Marxists believed any revolution in Russia would create a capalist economy and society
Lenin thought it would be possible for Russia to miss out the capatilist stage and go straight form Feudalism to socialism
He justified this by caliming Russian peasants were unusually politically radical and would support the revolution

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