Question: Discuss the effects of force or movement on individuals and groups striving to improve the lives of their fellow citizens, including the results of these efforts. An example can be seen in Lenin and the Bolsheviks, who were greatly influenced by Marxist principles. This influence played a crucial role in shaping Russian communism during the early 1900s, when Tsar Nicholas II held autocratic power over Russia. The existing social, economic, and political conditions within this autocracy greatly aided Lenin and the Bolsheviks in establishing Russian communism as a significant historical power.
The Bolshevik state’s establishment in Russia led to the removal of the provisional government for the betterment of their fellow countrymen and women. However, the consequences of their actions did not result in any positive transformations or influences for the nation. Lenin and the Bolsheviks drew inspiration from Marxism, an ideology introduced by Karl Marx, a German socialist. According to Marx, in a capitalist economic system, a small group consisting of nobility and bourgeoisie controlled all means of production, wielded power, and oppressed the proletariat.
Marx posited that capitalism would be overthrown by the proletariat, who would then establish socialism as a replacement. To facilitate this transition, a Dictatorship of the proletariat would govern in favor of workers. Communism would gradually emerge where people collectively own the means of production and distribute wealth and power evenly. In this society, individuals belong to one class with equal status. Eventually, communal living prevails rendering government obsolete.
Lenin and the Bolsheviks were heavily influenced by Marx’s communism theory, which provided a vision of a fairer society and the potential to better their fellow citizens’ lives. However, Lenin made adjustments to Marxism, creating his own theory known as “Leninism.” Leninism incorporates political and socialist economic theories based on Marxism and focuses on the idea of the proletariat dictatorship led by a revolutionary vanguard Party.
Lenin’s interpretations of Marxist theory in early 20th century agrarian Russia differed from Marx’s original ideas. Lenin prioritized politics over economics, advocating for a political revolution led by a professional revolutionary party instead of relying on a spontaneous uprising of the working class as Marx had predicted. Lenin adapted his approach to suit Russia’s specific circumstances and believed in expediting revolutions and shaping history. (i.
Lenin and the Bolsheviks were driven by the social and economic circumstances in Russia during the 1900s to support a revolution and communist principles. Their goal was to eliminate the persistent oppression faced by peasants and workers under the Tsarist regime. It is crucial to recognize that around 80% of the Russian population consisted of impoverished peasants during this period.
Despite the abolition of serfdom, the peasants faced ongoing economic oppression. Their situation deteriorated due to inadequate land and the obligation to repay loans to the government for land purchases. The lack of capital prevented them from acquiring machinery, and as the rural population grew, farms became smaller, leading to reduced food production. The accumulation of debts resulted in borrowing with interest rates, causing many peasants to migrate to urban areas in search of employment opportunities.
A large number of rural peasants migrated to urban areas due to poverty, leading to the emergence of a new impoverished labor force. Tragically, these individuals faced harsh working conditions as they resided in cramped slums, occupying wooden barracks without any semblance of privacy. Furthermore, their earnings were meager and they endured long hours of work.
By 1916, the average daily working hours were approximately 11-12 hours. These conditions sparked strikes and revolutionary notions of freedom from oppression among the working class, offering Lenin and the Bolsheviks a chance to shape communism. Their goal was to provide land to peasants and empower workers in order to promote equality. The harsh oppression faced by both workers and peasants intensified due to Russia’s participation in World War One. Shortly after the war started, Russia suffered significant losses in battles like Tannenberg 1914, leading to the deaths of around 120,000 Russian soldiers.
The peasants and working class were greatly affected by the War, experiencing shortages of essential food and fuel for heating and cooking. As a consequence, these dire circumstances led to the spontaneous February revolution in 1917. At that time, the Bolsheviks Party was relatively small and weak with just 20,000 members. Lenin, who had been exiled, was living in Switzerland. In the end, this revolution weakened autocratic rule and caused the Tsar to abdicate on March 2nd, 1917.
The revolution resulted in the removal of the Provisional Government, enabling the Bolsheviks to pursue their objective of creating a communist society. Motivated by communism, they aimed to better the lives of their fellow citizens by confronting and ultimately toppling the authority of the Provisional Government. Led by Lenin, the Bolsheviks undermined members of the Duma or parliament who had established the Provisional Government after overthrowing the Tsar. Various factors contributed to limited support for this government among Russians.
The lack of morality was made evident by the continuation of the War and ongoing deployment of troops. The promised land and better living conditions were not achieved, resulting in deaths caused by starvation and cold weather. When Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917, he influenced the Bolshevik Party by emphasizing the importance of gaining control over the Petrograd Soviet, serving as a starting point for a second revolution that would replace the Provisional Government with a Bolshevik Government. In his “April Theses,” Lenin outlined his strategy for revolution, calling for an end to the Provisional Government, conclusion of the war, improved conditions in Russia, and victory for the working class under a communist government. All these goals were promoted through the slogan “Peace, Bread and Land.”
The Bolsheviks, who were influenced by communist ideals, aimed to gain control of the Soviets – councils that represented factory workers and soldiers. The most significant Soviet was the Petrograd Soviets, which in April was led by socialists Revolutionaries, Menshiviks, and Bolsheviks.
Order Number One, issued by the Petrograd Soviets in March 1917, revealed the competition between the Soviets and the PG. The order stipulated that soldiers were to obey the PG’s orders only if they had the approval of the Soviets. In case of conflict, the soldiers were instructed to prioritize obedience to the Soviet. Consequently, the Soviet effectively exerted control over the army.
Starting in April 1917, the Bolsheviks focused on convincing a majority of the deputies within the Soviets to oppose the PG (Provisional Government) and take control themselves. Lenin’s influential slogan “All power to Soviets” played a part in this effort. By June, the Bolsheviks had gained control over the workers section of the Petrograd Soviet, having better organization compared to other socialist groups supporting them. However, Kerensky’s decision to launch an offensive in June ended up being a military disaster as many Russian soldiers deserted, ultimately causing the collapse of their army.
The Provisional Government (PG) saw a decrease in public confidence, which led to more people supporting the Bolshevik Party. The July days of 1917 were a setback for the Bolshevik Party as they attempted an unsuccessful and disorganized coup against the PG. This resulted in a decline in popularity for the Bolsheviks, while Kerensky successfully suppressed the uprising. Consequently, Lenin was forced into exile in Finland.
The Bolsheviks capitalized on the Kornilov Affair to gain popularity. They positioned themselves as heroes of the Revolution during Kornilov’s failed coup, intending to enhance their appeal. This event was crucial for the Bolsheviks, as it restored their reputation and led to a significant surge in membership. Their ranks surged from 20,000 to 200,000 between February and August.
In September 1917, the Bolsheviks gained full control of the Petrograd Soviet after actively working from April to October 1917 to enhance their popularity among the general populace. To accomplish this, they effectively utilized Lenin’s renowned slogan “Peace, bread and Land.” The main reason why majority of Russians supported the Bolsheviks was due to their promise to fulfill what the Provisional Government had failed to achieve.
Lenin came back from Finland and initiated the Bolsheviks’ triumph in the “October Revolution” in 1917. Under Trotsky’s leadership, the Red Army, consisting of 20,000 soldiers, strategically seized significant sites in Petrograd including government buildings, the central railway station, the central post office, and the central bank. The decisive moment occurred on October 25, 1917 when Bolshevik forces infiltrated and assumed control of the Winter Palace – where the Provisional Government operated – securing their ultimate victory.
Lenin announced the establishment of a new government the following day, aiming to improve the lives of their fellow countrymen by toppling the Provisional Government and capitalism. Nevertheless, despite implementing communism through the October Revolution, this effort ultimately fell short of achieving enduring success. Consequently, a subsequent government called the “Soviet of People’s Commissars” was formed after the communist revolution in October 1917.
Lenin, as the chairman, proclaimed equal rights for every individual. Notably, women’s rights experienced advancements that granted them legal parity with men. Specifically, married women were bestowed the right to possess property, and both divorce and abortion procedures were made more accessible.
Lenin implemented the Decree on Land, which granted peasants the right to use all land that had been taken during 1917. In addition, ownership of factories was transferred from owners to elected workers committees, and means of production were also seized. This was in line with the communist ideology of promoting equality and resulted in the nationalization of all assets.
The workers played a crucial role in determining the distribution of power in relation to their working conditions. Instead of being subjected to the authority of a manager, choices were made through worker voting, granting them greater sway over the production process. To facilitate this transition, committees were established and local soviets were provided with more spacious residences for the laboring masses, addressing concerns regarding overcrowding in impoverished areas. These various transformations aimed at establishing a communist society that is characterized by fairness, devoid of social hierarchies, and marked by an equitable allocation of resources and authority.
The Civil War (1918-1921) in Russia, which followed the communist revolution, had detrimental effects due to opposition from various factions including the socialist Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, and land owners who rebelled against Lenin’s rule. Consequently, a violent civil war ensued with severe consequences. To tackle this situation, the War Communism policy was implemented which entailed stringent rationing of food and fuel in urban areas as these resources were primarily directed towards supporting the Red Army.
Due to a lack of food, the situation resembled the days of tsarist rule when women endured freezing weather while waiting for a small piece of bread. Peasants were not allowed to sell their farm produce for personal profit; instead, they had to give most of their harvest to the government and keep only a minimal portion for themselves. As a result, black markets appeared and the peasants faced more hostility, even risking getting shot.
Under the system of War Communism, the government assumed control over the majority of businesses, factories, and mines. It dictated production levels and determined the allocation of resources. Additionally, workers were assigned to specific workplaces and subjected to longer hours, strict discipline, and the prohibition of strikes.
The implementation of War Communism resulted in a decline in industrial production and the emergence of a flourishing black market. Additionally, there were numerous deaths caused by shortages of fuel, food, and warmth. Lenin and the Bolsheviks successfully achieved their goal of establishing a Communist society based on Marx’s ideas by overthrowing the Provisional Government and executing the October Revolution. Their objective was to improve the lives of fellow Russians and promote equality within Russian society. However, over time, living conditions and overall quality of life did not improve for the Russian people; some argue that it even worsened compared to life under Tsarist rule. This could be why workers in Moscow and Petrograd began organizing street marches as a form of protest during early 1921.
