October Revolution: Causes, Key People, and Impact

• The October Revolution occurred in Russia in October 1917 and was led by the Bolshevik Party, under Vladimir Lenin.
• The revolution resulted from the discontent of workers, soldiers, and peasants with the Provisional Government and led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of a communist regime in Russia.
• The October Revolution paved the way for the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922 and greatly impacted global geopolitics and revolutionary movements.

February Revolution

• The February Revolution dethroned Nicholas II and allowed the Provisional Government to take control.

Key People

• Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) led the Bolshevik Party to power during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
  • He was the first leader of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union.
  • He established a communist government and shaped Marxist-Leninist ideology.
  • His rule was marked by political repression and economic upheaval.
• Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until 1953, after Lenin's death.
  • He transformed the Soviet Union into a major world power, but also oversaw a period of repression and violence.
  • Became the supreme leader of the Soviet Union.
  • His rule included World War II, where the Soviet Union defeated Germany, and the Cold War.
• Karl Marx (1818–1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820–1895) co-authored The Communist Manifesto (1848).
  • They laid the foundation for modern communism.
  • Marx developed the theory of historical materialism and class struggle.
  • Engels financially supported Marx.
  • Together they analyzed capitalism, advocated for a proletarian revolution, and influenced socialist movements.

Bolshevik Promises

• The Bolsheviks promised "Peace, Land, and Bread" to gain support during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
  • Peace: An end to Russia’s involvement in World War I.
  • Land: Redistribution of land from wealthy landlords to peasants.
  • Bread: Solutions to food shortages and famine.
• This slogan helped the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, gain widespread support and take control of Russia.

Failures of the Provisional Government

• The Russian Provisional Government was established after Tsar Nicholas II resigned in 1917.
  • Reforms included the abolition of the Okhrana (secret police), freedom of speech, and the release of political prisoners.
  • Its temporary status and failure to set election dates led to doubts about its legitimacy.
  • Shared power with the Petrograd Soviet weakened its effectiveness.
• Key reasons for failure:
  • Continued Involvement in World War I: The Kerensky Offensive led to mass desertions and protests.
  • Failure to Address Land Reforms: Peasants demanded land redistribution, but the government delayed action.
  • Weak Leadership and Dual Power: The Petrograd Soviet undermined the Provisional Government.
  • Economic Crisis and Food Shortages: Inflation, strikes, and food shortages worsened due to war expenses.
  • Failure to Suppress the Bolsheviks: The government underestimated the Bolsheviks.
• Peasants remained landless, workers struggled under inflation, and soldiers saw no end to the war.
• These failures strengthened the Bolsheviks, who overthrew the Provisional Government in the October Revolution of 1917.

Communism Defined

• Communism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to create a classless society with collective ownership of the means of production.
• Based on the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, especially The Communist Manifesto, it aims to eliminate social inequalities.
• A revolution was proposed in capitalist societies, leading to a socialist state that would eventually "wither away" into a stateless, classless society.
• Key principles:
  • Abolition of Private Property: Replaced by collective or state ownership.
  • Classless Society: Equal access to resources and opportunities for all.
  • Central Planning: Government control of the economy.
  • Internationalism: Global solidarity among workers.
• In practice, communist movements varied significantly, with some, such as the Soviet Union and China, implementing authoritarian governments.
• Marx's envisioned communism has never been fully realized, but it has greatly impacted global politics and revolutionary movements.

Impact of Communism

• Impact on Russia:
  • Formation of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1922.
  • Economic Changes: Lenin’s policies and Stalin’s centralized planning industrialized the country.
  • Political Repression under Stalin was achieved through censorship, purges (e.g., the Great Purge), and strict control (gulags).
  • Superpower Status: The USSR became a global superpower by the end of WWII.
• Impact on the World:
  • Spread of Communism to China, Cuba, Vietnam, and other nations
  • Cold War (1947–1991) between the U.S. and USSR, resulting in proxy wars and ideological conflicts.
  • Wars & Conflicts: Influenced events like the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Soviet-Afghan War.
  • Collapse of the USSR (1991): Marked the decline of global communism.
• Communism significantly shaped 20th-century global politics, conflicts, and economic policies.

OPVL (Origin, Purpose, Value, Limitation)

• Origin:
  • Includes basic information on the production of a source.
  • Inquiries into creator, author, date/place of creation/publication, and publishing entity.
  • Considers author background relevant to evaluation.
• Purpose:
  • Examines the general purpose behind the creation of the source.
  • Addresses why the document exists, the author's intent, the format choice, and the intended audience.
  • Explores surface and deeper meanings within the document.
• Value:
  • Assesses the overall contribution of the source with some judgment.
  • Determines what the piece reveals about the author, the time period, and any controversies.
  • Considers author perspective and historical accuracy.
• Limitation:
  • Provides an overall judgment, acknowledging the unseen side, verification needs, and accuracy of information.
  • Asks what part of the story is missing, how to verify content, and if the piece accurately reflects the time period.
  • Addresses deliberate omissions and unaddressed issues.

Explore the October Revolution in Russia of 1917, led by Vladimir Lenin's Bolshevik Party. Understand its origins in widespread discontent, the overthrow of the Provisional Government, and the establishment of a communist regime. Learn about the event's lasting impact on global politics and the creation of the Soviet Union.