IGCSE History 0470 - Depth Study: Russia, 1905ÔÇô41

3. Key Themes

This depth study explores the significant political, social, and economic changes in Russia between 1905 and 1941. Key themes include the causes and consequences of the 1905 Revolution, the rise of revolutionary movements, the impact of World War I, and the consolidation of Bolshevik power.

3.1 The 1905 Revolution

The 1905 Revolution was a pivotal event that exposed the weaknesses of the Tsarist regime and led to significant reforms, although ultimately failing to overthrow the Tsar.

• Causes: Economic hardship, political repression, desire for land reform, and the influence of revolutionary ideas.
• Events: Bloody Sunday, widespread strikes and protests, mutinies in the army and navy, and the October Manifesto.
• Consequences: The October Manifesto promised basic civil liberties and the creation of a Duma (parliament), but the Tsar retained significant power. The revolution highlighted the deep social and political divisions within Russian society.

3.2 Revolutionary Movements

Following the 1905 Revolution, various revolutionary movements emerged, each with different ideologies and aims.

3.3 World War I

Russia's involvement in World War I had devastating consequences, both military and societal. The war exacerbated existing problems and ultimately contributed to the Bolshevik Revolution.

• Military Weakness: Poor leadership, inadequate equipment, and widespread desertion led to heavy casualties and military defeats.
• Economic Strain: The war placed a huge strain on the Russian economy, leading to food shortages, inflation, and industrial disruption.
• Political Instability: The war undermined the Tsar's authority and fueled discontent among the population.

3.4 The Bolshevik Revolution (1917)

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in the October Revolution of 1917, overthrowing the Provisional Government.

• Causes: Widespread dissatisfaction with the war, economic hardship, and the failure of the Provisional Government to address these issues.
• Events: The Bolsheviks gained support through promises of \"Peace, Land, and Bread\" and seized key government buildings in Petrograd.
• Consequences: The establishment of a communist state, the Russian Civil War, and the suppression of political opposition.

3.5 The Russian Civil War (1917-1922)

Following the Bolshevik Revolution, a brutal civil war erupted between the Bolsheviks (Reds) and their opponents (Whites).

• Causes: Opposition to Bolshevik rule from various groups, including monarchists, liberals, and other socialist factions.
• Key Players: The Bolsheviks (Red Army) led by Leon Trotsky, and various White armies supported by foreign powers.
• Outcomes: The Bolsheviks emerged victorious, consolidating their power and establishing the Soviet Union. The war resulted in immense loss of life and widespread destruction.

3.6 The Rise of Stalin

After Lenin's death in 1924, Joseph Stalin gradually consolidated his power, eventually becoming the dictator of the Soviet Union.

• Political Maneuvering: Stalin skillfully eliminated his rivals and seized control of the Communist Party.
• Policies: Stalin implemented policies of forced collectivization of agriculture and rapid industrialization, often at great human cost.
• The Great Purge: In the 1930s, Stalin launched a campaign of political repression known as the Great Purge, targeting perceived enemies of the state.

3.7 Soviet Society under Stalin

Stalin's regime profoundly impacted Soviet society, shaping all aspects of life.

• Propaganda and Control: The state controlled the media and used propaganda to promote Stalin's image and ideology.
• Collectivization: Forced collectivization of agriculture led to widespread famine and the destruction of the kulaks (wealthier peasants).
• Industrialization: Rapid industrialization transformed the Soviet economy, but at the expense of workers' living conditions.
• Cult of Personality: Stalin cultivated a cult of personality, portraying himself as an infallible leader.

3.8 The Road to War

In the 1930s, Stalin's policies of expansionism and purges created tensions with other European powers, ultimately leading to World War II.

• Appeasement: The policy of appeasement adopted by Britain and France towards Hitler emboldened his aggressive actions.
• The Nazi-Soviet Pact: The non-aggression pact signed between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.
• Invasion of the Soviet Union: Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 marked the beginning of a brutal and devastating war on the Eastern Front.