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The Soviet Union

The document outlines the historical context and events leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union, starting from the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II and the socio-economic issues in early 20th century Russia. It details key events such as the 1905 Revolution, World War I's impact, the February and October Revolutions, and the subsequent civil war that solidified Bolshevik power. The formation of the USSR in 1922 marked a significant shift from monarchy to a communist regime under Lenin and later Stalin, influencing global dynamics throughout the 20th century.

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Renee Lisseth
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18 views2 pages

The Soviet Union

The document outlines the historical context and events leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union, starting from the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II and the socio-economic issues in early 20th century Russia. It details key events such as the 1905 Revolution, World War I's impact, the February and October Revolutions, and the subsequent civil war that solidified Bolshevik power. The formation of the USSR in 1922 marked a significant shift from monarchy to a communist regime under Lenin and later Stalin, influencing global dynamics throughout the 20th century.

Uploaded by

Renee Lisseth
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Soviet Union

1. Background and Causes


By the early 20th century, Russia was an autocratic empire ruled by
Tsar Nicholas II. The country was plagued by widespread poverty,
harsh working conditions, and growing dissatisfaction with the
monarchy. Industrialization had created a new working class that
suffered under poor wages and long hours. Meanwhile, peasants
struggled with land shortages, and nationalist movements threatened
the stability of the empire. Political repression, combined with the
humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), fueled
public unrest.
2. The 1905 Revolution
The first major challenge to the tsarist regime came in 1905. On
January 22 (Bloody Sunday), peaceful protesters marching to the
Winter Palace in St. Petersburg were shot by the Imperial Guard. This
event triggered widespread strikes, uprisings, and mutinies, forcing
Nicholas II to make concessions. He issued the October Manifesto,
which granted limited civil liberties and created the Duma (a
parliamentary body). However, the reforms were short-lived, as the
tsar retained most of his power and later restricted the Duma’s
authority.
3. Russia in World War I
Russia’s involvement in World War I (1914–1918) worsened the
country’s economic and political instability. The poorly equipped
Russian army suffered massive defeats, leading to food shortages,
inflation, and growing discontent among soldiers and civilians.
Nicholas II took direct control of the military, leaving the government
in the hands of his wife, Empress Alexandra, and her controversial
advisor, Rasputin. This further eroded trust in the monarchy.
4. The February Revolution (1917)
By early 1917, public frustration had reached a breaking point. In
February (March in the modern calendar), strikes and protests
erupted in Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg), demanding bread and
an end to autocracy. Soldiers initially sent to suppress the uprising
joined the protesters instead. With no support left, Nicholas II
abdicated on March 2, ending three centuries of Romanov rule. A
Provisional Government, led by liberal and moderate socialist
politicians, took control, promising democratic reforms.
5. Dual Power Struggle
Following the tsar’s abdication, Russia entered a period of "dual
power." The Provisional Government shared authority with the
Petrograd Soviet, a council of workers and soldiers dominated by
socialist factions. However, the government’s decision to continue the
war and its failure to address land reforms weakened its legitimacy.
Radical socialist groups, particularly the Bolsheviks, gained support
by promising "peace, land, and bread."
6. The Bolshevik Rise to Power
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took advantage of the
Provisional Government’s weaknesses. Lenin, returning from exile in
April 1917, called for an overthrow of the government. In July, an
attempted uprising failed, but by October, Bolshevik influence had
grown significantly. The government, led by Alexander Kerensky,
struggled to maintain control as unrest spread.
7. The October Revolution (1917)
On the night of October 25–26 (November 6–7 in the modern
calendar), the Bolsheviks launched a coup in Petrograd. They seized
key government buildings, including the Winter Palace, and arrested
members of the Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks declared a
new government, the Council of People’s Commissars, with Lenin as
its head. This marked the beginning of Soviet rule.
8. Civil War and Consolidation of Power
The Bolsheviks’ seizure of power sparked a civil war (1918–1922)
between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (a coalition
of monarchists, liberals, and moderate socialists). Foreign powers,
including Britain, France, and the United States, intervened against
the Bolsheviks. Despite fierce resistance, the Red Army, led by Leon
Trotsky, emerged victorious. The Bolsheviks executed Nicholas II and
his family in 1918 to prevent their restoration.
9. War Communism and the Red Terror
To maintain control, the Bolsheviks implemented policies of "War
Communism," nationalizing industry and seizing grain from peasants.
This led to famine and economic collapse. The government also
launched the "Red Terror," a campaign of repression against political
opponents, carried out by the secret police (Cheka). By 1921, the
economy was in crisis, prompting Lenin to introduce the New
Economic Policy (NEP), which allowed limited private enterprise.
10.The Formation of the Soviet Union
In December 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was
officially established, uniting Russia and several other republics under
Bolshevik control. Lenin’s death in 1924 led to a power struggle,
eventually won by Joseph Stalin. Under his rule, the Soviet Union
became a totalitarian state, shaping the course of world history for
much of the 20th century. The Russian Revolution had fundamentally
transformed Russia, replacing the monarchy with a communist
government and setting the stage for the Cold War.

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