Russian Revolution 1905 and 1917

10 Questions

What was Lenin's main goal when he declared his 'April Theses'?

To bring an end to the war and transfer land to the peasants

What was the initial reaction of the Bolshevik Party to Lenin's 'April Theses'?

They were initially surprised but eventually supported him

What was the outcome of the All Russian Congress of Soviets in June?

The sending of representatives from 500 Soviets

What was a major factor in the growth of the workers' movement in the summer of 1917?

The formation of factory committees

What was one of the key demands of Lenin's 'April Theses'?

To bring an end to the war

What was the result of the development of the subsequent months on the Bolshevik Party?

They became more radical and opposed to the Provisional Government

What was the significance of the formation of soldiers' committees in the army?

It was a sign of the growing radicalization of the army

What was the impact of Lenin's 'April Theses' on the Russian Revolution?

It marked the beginning of a new socialist era in Russia

What was the outcome of the strengthening of trade unions in the summer of 1917?

The growth of the workers' movement

What was the significance of Lenin's call to rename the Bolshevik Party to the Communist Party?

It marked a shift towards a more radical socialist ideology

Study Notes

The Revolution of 1905

Bloody Sunday and the Revolution of 1905 took place, with vessels sailing down the Neva and taking over military points.

The Revolution of 1917

On March 2, 1917, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated.
On October 24, 1917, the Bolshevik uprising took place in Petrograd.
By December 1917, the Bolsheviks controlled the Moscow-Petrograd area.
In 1918-20, the Civil War occurred.

Key Events and Dates

1919: Formation of Comintern.
1929: Beginning of Collectivization.
2024-25: India and the Contemporary World.

The Bolsheviks' Policies

The Bolsheviks were opposed to private property.
Most industry and banks were nationalized in November 1917.

The Provisional Government's Response

The Provisional Government resisted attempts by workers to run factories and began arresting leaders.
Popular demonstrations staged by the Bolsheviks in July 1917 were sternly repressed.

The Countryside

Peasants and their Socialist Revolutionary leaders pressed for a redistribution of land.
Land committees were formed to handle this.
Encouraged by the Socialist Revolutionaries, peasants seized land between July and September 1917.

The Revolution of October 1917

Lenin feared the Provisional Government would set up a dictatorship.
In September 1917, Lenin began discussions for an uprising against the government.
Bolshevik supporters in the army, soviets, and factories were brought together.
Lenin's 'April Theses' included demnds for:
- Ending the war
- Transferring land to the peasants
- Nationalizing banks
Lenin argued that the Bolshevik Party should rename itself the Communist Party to indicate its new radical aims.