Socialist Revolution

The "ghost" wandering across Europe "embodied" 70 years later. Tsarism was the symbol of backwardness. The Medieval era and feudal system existed there, Russia was serfdom-based agricultural land. There was an industry in Russia, but it had a technologically low economy. It was a weak part between imperial states. Russia was in fact ready for socialism, neither economically nor socially. The world war overshadowed all conditions.

Relations with Europe became frequent in the 19th century. Russian literature was born with the effects of the French Enlightenment. We can see the despair that surrounded Russia after 1880 from the masterpieces. However, all these developments include only the ruling class, peasants are excluded. West’s political influence was limited. Tsar was diplomatically dependent on the West. British parliament and the French constitution were admired, but in 1905, when Tsar issued the constitution and convened Duma, the Western influence was over and the effect of revolution began. West actually affected Russia economically. There was serious industrial potential in Russia. Factories were established and the economy developed.

Although Russia was poor and backward, it had broad lands and a huge population. Most Russians were peasants. Russia started to industrialize. Workers appeared in cities. Russians had land needs, poverty, high taxes, famine, and black market problems. The regime has not succeeded in land reform, and peasants were unhappy. Discontent increased when resources were shifted from agriculture to industry. Coal and steel production increased and railways were built. State capitalism worked. The peasants' unrest subsided slightly after the abolition of serfdom, but political unrest continued.

Foreign policy was very active in Russia, where the regime was unstable. Russia spread to Siberia, the Black Sea, and the Caucasus. Russia and Japan fought for Manchuria, which belongs to China. Revolutionary movements accelerated in Russia, which was defeated by Japan. The possibility of the overthrow of Tsarism first appeared in 1905. Since 1453, Russia has seen itself as the inheritor of Byzantium. As state authority grew stronger, the church became means of legitimizing tool. Russia was trying to dominate Orthodox and led Slavic communities in the Balkans. Russia had established an alliance with Germany, but Russia, which broke the agreement due to the Slav issue, formed an alliance with France then Britain joined the alliance.

Opposition to Tsar grew. Those who wanted reform were influenced by Marx. Marxism will be embodied in Lenin's actions. There was a social Democratic Workers' Party in Russia. Lenin advocated the unification of Marxist movements. Thanks to Iskra, the party could propagate. For Lenin, imperialism was the highest stage of capitalism and it should be stopped. In 1903, Lenin explained the concept of a revolutionary and centralized party. Thus, serious steps were taken in organizing. Although Marxists were actively involved in the 1905 revolution, the result was negative. The revolution was suppressed and revolutionaries have driven away. "Soviets" were established in villages. Soldiers and sailors had revolted. Support for army became important for Lenin. 200 strike workers were killed in a British mine. However, the outbreak of the world war reduced social and political mobility.

In Lenin's program, land for peasants, bread for the hungry, power, and peace for Soviets were emphasized. WWI gave revolutionaries the opportunity they wished. Tsar had mishandled the war and too many soldiers died. The army was tired of fighting. In late 1916, Duma reacted to the regime, and Nikolai II dissolved parliament. Riots started. Revolution was inevitable for Russia. There was a shortage of food in the country because of the war. The regime was not concerned with people's problems. In1917, workers struck. Riots turned into revolution when soldiers supported workers. Under pressure from the Soviets, parliament formed a provisional government. The army was supporting the revolution. Thus, Tsar had to abdicate. Lenin went to Russia via Germany. The revolution was not started by Lenin but was led by him. Instead of escalating insurrection, Lenin tried to take control of the revolution. Bolsheviks had the support of the Soviets and the provisional government had to go. There was a coup under the leadership of Trotsky. A new government was created and Lenin became head. Socialists were against wars, and Russia left WW1. Those who wanted to re-establish the tsarist regime were helped by foreign states. The white army revolted against the Soviets. Red Army won the civil war. The revolution of 1917 was led by the disciplined party of professional revolutionaries, with an organized working class and with the support of peasants.

Eventually, classical revolutions are content with only "political changes", but the 1917 revolution required more. Russia's economic, political and social structure has changed. Its impacts are universal, not national. The world that broke up in 1991 was shaped by the Russian revolution.