Russian Revolution by Florence and Max
What methods did the group(s) use to express their frustrations and ultimately lead to a revolution?
1) The Russian Revolution wasn’t very organized; and was mostly a series of violent acts for different reasons. After a devastating World War I, Russia had lost many lives and had fought many battles; the people and the soldiers were tired and had enough. Many of the Russian people and soldiers hated the Royal Family, due to the way Russia was treated, and threatened them daily. The Russian Liberals became worried and tried to convince the Royal Family that if they stayed in power, a revolution will take place; so the Liberals started, themselves, trying to bring down the Royal Family, in hope of stopping the start of the Russian Revolution. At this time, Nicholas was the Tsar of Russia. When he realized that he possessed no power whatsoever over Russia, he stepped down, handing his thrown over to his brother, Michael. But Michael was not a fool, and he himself, stepped down the next day. So whether or not this was considered a revolution, The Royal Family was indeed, ousted.
How is your revolution similar and/or different to one of the revolutions previously studied? 2) The Russian Revolution differed from the others we previously studied, because this revolution took place to try to prevent the one being planned. The soldiers and the Russian people wanted to put down the Royal Family; when the Russian Liberals found out, they were determined to prevent a revolution. They asked and continuously demanded that the Royal Family step down, but they refused. So in the end, they decided to destroy the Royal Family themselves.
What was the eventual outcome of the revolution, and did the nation/people become better due to the revolution? 3) The Tsar and his family where eventually executed and the country turned into a communist republic which included most of Eastern Europe, which then became the Soviet Union. Many would argue that the nation should have prospered; since the idea of communism is fairness and complete equality. But most people cannot live in a state in which everyone is equal and has a steady income. Many people want to make more money, and it was hard to have a whole state keep up a steady line of discipline. This coupled with widespread corruption and fraud, and eventually toppled the regime, on 1991.
4) Was the revolution justified? Would other methods have worked? If the communist government had been set up differently, and the pursuit of wealth had been kept within the constitution and the wealth been more evenly distributed, then it could would have been a success. But the years of hardship, isolation, and poverty that followed far surpassed those of the Tsar era, which therefore could not justify the change of government which followed.
5) Brinton Crane’s stages of a revolution:
Phase 1: Symptoms
1. The middle class loudly expresses its anger over economic restraints placed upon it by the government. While these restrictions are not overbearing, they are enough to cause extreme anger. 2. The government is ineffective and can not is unable to effectively manage the country. This could be due to an inept leader or to a chronic money shortage within the government. 3. Eventually, the ruling party is deserted by the intellectuals, who also speak out against the government.
In the Russian Revolution, it was in fact all of Russia, except for the Liberals, who expressed anger towards the Royal Family. In this case, it wasn’t just because of the economic restraints, it was also due to the way Russia was being treated under the Tsar’s rule. The Royal family refuse to back down, and continue to hurt Russia. But none the less, the Liberals still stayed on the Royal family’s side. Phase 2: The Rising Fever
1. This is the escalation of the anger felt by the middle class. The people rise up against the government. 2. The uprising culminates in a climatic battle, and the current governmental structure can not repress the rebellion. 3. The moderates, or political center, then forms a new government. 4. The new moderate government becomes overwhelmed with the challenges of managing the nation, raising money to support itself, and the drafting a new constitution.
The Russian people are getting angrier and angrier, and soon, the Liberals were beside them as well. The Tsar realized that he had no support whatsoever and stepped down. But unfortunately, instead of ending the monarchy, he handed over the thrown to his brother.
Phase 3: Crisis
1. The revolution reaches a head when the moderates, inept at the job of ruling a country, are forcibly and violently removed from power by the radicals, or the political left. 2. There is a lot of violence and efforts to spread the ideals of the revolution. Opposition is squashed. 3. The revolution is fragile because popular support is needed and economic conditions are poor.
The Russian people are furious and continue to protest violently.
Phase 4: Convalescence
1. The revolution ends and the country enters a period of recovery. 2. A strong ruler comes to power and the new government begins the process of stabilizing the country. 3. The moderates are generally granted amnesty while the radicals are punished. 4. Life in the country begins to return to normal.
The present Tsar abdicates, knowing that he would be the last tsar to ever rule over Russia. The Russian people take over, and slowly, but surely, begin to rebuild Russia.
Bibliography
- www.wikipedia.com
- www.barnsdle.demon.co.uk/russ/rusrev.htm
- www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook39.html
- history1900s.about.com/cs/russianrevolution/
- www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Russian-Revolution
- www.stel.ru/museum/Russian_revolution_1917
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSmarchR.htm
- http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9064488/Russian-Revolution-of-1917
Florence and Max
