The Russian Revolution Of 1917 - 1946 Words

The Russian Revolution of 1917 set the country on a course that few other countries took in the 20th century. The shift from the direction of a democratic, parliamentary-style government to a one party communist rule was a drastic change that many did not and could not predict. Looking back on this key moment in Russian history, many historians ask the question ‘why did the political power in Russia shift to the Bolsheviks’? Since the revolution in 1905 Russia was becoming progressively more democratic, distributing power throughout the political sphere. This came to an abrupt halt when Vladimir Lenin was put into power by the Bolshevik takeover of the Provisional Government. Many authors have had different takes on this event. Two particularly interesting ones were Arthur Mendel and John D. Basil. Their pieces On Interpreting the Fate of Imperial Russia and Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution give various perspectives on the Russian Revolution and attempt to answer the question of the power shift. This key point in Russia’s history sets the tone for the next 100 years. Russia became a superpower, an enemy of the United States, started multiple wars directly and indirectly, and started using an economic system used by various countries around the world. Today we still see the effects of the 1917 Revolution. Looking at both Mendel’s and Basil’s attempt to answer why the power shifted to the Bolsheviks. Since both historian s account of the events is different they cannotShow MoreRelatedThe Russian Revolution Of 19171109 Words   |  5 Pagessole cause of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Even before the outbreak of war, the Russian population were largely dissatisfied with the government under the Tsarist regime. Though the Great War played a role in sparking the Russian Revolution, with much of the unstable faith in the Tsar collapsing in Military Russia, it would be naà ¯ve to discredit the mounting economic and social pressur es that contributed to the fall of the Tsarist Regime, and the beginning of the Revolution. Leading up to theRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 19171619 Words   |  7 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 involved the collapse of an empire under Tsar Nicholas II and the rise of Marxian socialism under Lenin and his Bolsheviks. It sparked the beginning of a new era in Russia that had effects on countries around the world. In the years leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917, the country had a succession of wars. These were, The Crimean War (1854-56), The Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), and World War I (1914-18). All of these requiredRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 19171294 Words   |  6 Pages Russia 1917, harsh working conditions, famine, and all power to one leader. Russia was living in discord presumably through political oppression, furthermore, political oppression inspires violence and terrorism. It affects daily residents because they’re under control of whoever is in charge. Terrorism tears people apart. The Russian Revolution in 1917 started because of the political oppression and ended in a dictatorship because humans are power hungry. It also continues to leave citizens withRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 1917943 Words   |  4 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 was an event that many historians have offered different perspectives on, as it was the start of a regime that greatly impacted the history of totalitarianism. Though much went on during 1917, the February Revolution and the fall of Tsarist regime was an event that created dialogue and prompted historians to pose perspectives as to what factors contributed to the Russian Monarchy ending in catastrophe. Many of these perspectives are focused on personalities. Some historiansRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 19171594 Words   |  7 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 did not just suddenly happen overnight, just as there was no main reason why it happened. The Revolution was more like a virus or bad bacteria. At first you barely notice it, even though you know it is there, but soon it starts to multiply and take over your body and before you know it you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. There are about 4 or 5 significant reasons why there was the revolution of 1917, with the Russian Tsar Nicolas II to be the blame forRead MoreThe Russian Revolu tion Of 19171646 Words   |  7 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 brought with it the fall of 300 years of Romanov rule and marked the beginning of the transition of Tsarism to Communism, from which Lenin established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, succeeded by Stalin. The Revolution is worthy of investigation as it is arguably the most significant event of the 20th century, considering that it helped shape many other subsequent events such as the Second World War and the Cold War. The Bolsheviks’ triumph can be accountedRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 1917848 Words   |  4 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 was a product of growing agitation within Russia as a result of various factors, both internally and externally of Russia. The detachment of the Tsar to the wants and needs of the people, in concurrence with their involvement in World War One, led to an uprising and revolution. Many historians describe the outcomes of this revolution using Marxist theo ry, explaining the key ideologies that come in to play as the revolution comes to an end and the newly established BolshevikRead MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 19171563 Words   |  7 PagesThe Russian Revolution of 1917 swept the country into an entirely new epoch, changing a monarch-led country into the Soviet Union and spreading the red of communism in waves through generations. A powerful team of Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky organized the Bolsheviks, or Red Army, in political and military strategy against the Menshevik White Army. Part of their success came from the lack of unification of the Mensheviks. While the White Army banded together under a simply ‘anti-Bolshevik’ policyRead MoreThe Russian Revolutions of 1917 Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesThe Russian Revolutions of 1917 There were two revolutions that occurred in Russia in 1917. The first one, in February, overthrew the Russian monarchy. The second one, in October, created the world’s first Communist state. The Russian revolutions of 1917 involved a series of uprisings by workers and peasants throughout the country and by soldiers, who were predominantly of peasant origin, in the Russian army. Many of the uprisings were organized and led byRead More1917 Russian Revolution Essay1114 Words   |  5 PagesRussian Revolution Essay. Throughout history there have been many revolutions between the population of a country and its government. People always want change, usually in the directions of freedom, peace and equality and in the lead up to the 1917 Russian revolution; there were a variety of social, political and economic situations that all played their part. In the years leading up to the revolution, Russia had been involved in a series of wars. The Crimean war, The Russo-Turkish war, The Russo-Japanese