Russian Revolution and Civil War: Crash Course European History #35

Summary

Crash Course European History explores the turmoil of World War I and its catalyst for the Russian Revolution and subsequent civil war. Tsar Nicholas II's inefficient war management led to widespread suffering and desertion, prompting the rise of local organizations like zemstvos. The Provisional Government's struggle for power amidst societal chaos and the Bolsheviks' rise, led by Lenin's 'Peace, Bread, Land' platform, culminated in a violent coup. The Bolsheviks, rejecting democratic politics, established a dictatorship, leading to the formation of the USSR and the implementation of the New Economic Policy as a temporary measure to bolster the economy.

Takeaways

• 🔥 World War I and the incompetence of Tsar Nicholas II's government led to immense suffering and a lack of basic necessities for Russian soldiers.
• 🏛 The failure of the government to manage the war effort resulted in local organizations like zemstvos taking on responsibilities and undermining support for the government.
• 👑 Tsar Nicholas II's decision to personally oversee the battlefront and his perceived indifference to the common people's plight contributed to his eventual abdication.
• 🌟 The Provisional Government, formed after Nicholas' abdication, was a diverse assembly of monarchists, conservatives, liberals, and socialists, reflecting the disorder and new forms of organization.
• 🏭 Workers and soldiers formed 'soviets' to claim a voice in ruling Russia, leading to a power struggle with the Provisional Government.
• 🚂 Vladimir Lenin's return to Russia and his platform of 'Peace, Bread, Land' resonated with the people, setting the stage for Bolshevik influence.
• 🔄 The Bolsheviks, under Lenin and Trotsky, used propaganda and grassroots organizing to gain support and eventually led a coup against the Provisional Government.
• 🏛️ The Bolsheviks rejected the democratic process, imprisoning and murdering advocates for democracy and freedom, and shut down local institutions to consolidate power.
• 🗺️ The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ceded Russian territory to Germany, was initially rejected by Lenin but later accepted due to military pressure.
• 🛑 The Russian Civil War, fought between the Bolshevik 'Reds' and the 'White Movement', was marked by violence, disease, and famine, with the Bolsheviks eventually emerging victorious.

Q & A

What were the main reasons for the suffering of Russian soldiers during World War I?

The main reasons for the suffering of Russian soldiers during World War I were the lack of basic materials such as bullets and boots, poor leadership with some generals being uninstructed in modern techniques, and the failure of Tsar Nicholas II's government to build an efficient administration to ensure adequate weaponry, transportation, food, medical care, and other necessities of modern warfare.

How did local organizations called zemstvos contribute to the situation during World War I?

Zemstvos were local organizations that took responsibility for civilian well-being, joining other groups to take care of the wounded and maintain the home front more generally. Their involvement in tasks traditionally done by the government deeply undermined support for the Tsar's government.

Why did Czar Nicholas decide to personally oversee the battlefront, and what was the consequence of this decision?

Czar Nicholas decided to personally oversee the battlefront after a string of Russian defeats, likely in an attempt to rally the troops and improve the war effort. However, this decision made him appear incompetent and seemed to show a lack of interest in the survival of ordinary Russians, which further weakened his rule.

What was the significance of International Women’s Day in Russian history as mentioned in the script?

International Women’s Day on Russian February 23, 1917, was significant because it marked the beginning of protests in Petrograd by working women against the effects of a mismanaged war effort, leading to soaring inflation, food scarcity, and casualties. These protests surged in the capital and then spread across the empire, contributing to the revolutionary sentiment.

What was the composition of the Provisional Government that took over after Nicholas II abdicated?

The Provisional Government was composed of a variety of political factions including monarchists, conservatives, liberals, and various socialist members. It was constituted by members of the Duma, the assembly of elected representatives that Nicholas had set up to end the revolution of 1905.

How did the Bolsheviks' approach to revolution differ from Marx's idea of the working-class leading revolutionary change?

The Bolsheviks believed that an elite cadre of leaders needed to lead the revolution, breaking with Marx's idea of the working-class spearheading revolutionary change. This approach was a significant departure from traditional Marxist thought.

What was the 'Peace, Bread, Land' platform that Lenin declared upon his return to Russia?

The 'Peace, Bread, Land' platform was a populist slogan declared by Lenin, which explicitly rejected continuing the war and appealed to hungry, landless, and war-weary people. It represented a call for an end to the conflict, food security, and land redistribution.

What was the outcome of the Bolsheviks' coup in October 1917?

The Bolsheviks led a coup at a meeting of the Soviets in October 1917, taking over government buildings, arms depots, transportation networks, and other infrastructure. They then endorsed elections to a Constituent Assembly, but forced the dismissal of the Assembly before it could be constituted as a government, effectively seizing power.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and why was it significant?

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty that gave Russia's western holdings to Germany. It was significant because it was a turning point for many, including those who were ready to continue fighting for a Russian victory in World War I. Lenin initially called the German offer 'obscene,' but eventually accepted it as the Central Powers advanced through Russian territory.

How did the Bolsheviks' approach to governance differ from the Marxist socialist vision of the nineteenth century?

The Bolsheviks' approach to governance was far different from the Marxist socialist vision of the nineteenth century. It was to be led by an elite, not by workers, and the Bolshevik state became more powerful, with Lenin inflicting perpetual violence on its own people to maintain control. This was a stark contrast to the Marxist prediction of the state 'withering away' after a workers' revolution.