The Russian Empire at its peak made up nearly one-sixth of the world's land surface
Russian Empire
Vast and diverse range of climates
Vast and diverse range of cultures, ethnicities, and economics
Most of the population lived in the western areas
By 1900s, the Russian population was around 126 million people
Russian society was dominated by the influence of the Orthodox Church
Political parties
Not legally permitted until 1906
Political parties popular up to 1917
Octoberists
Cadets
Social Revolutionaries (SRs)
Mensheviks
Bolsheviks
From 1906 to 1914, Russian workers were increasingly unionized
In 1912, there were 750,000 workers on strike, and by 1914 this had increased to 1,450,000
1905 Revolution
Resulted from issues including the failure of Russia in the Russo-Japanese War and the unionization of workers
The October Manifesto created a national parliament called the Duma, but the Duma's power was limited and the Tsar retained authority
Peter Stolypin
Head of government between 1906-1911, restored order through a policy of "small reforms" and brutal repression
The prison population in Russia rose from 98,000 in 1905 to 250,000 by 1913 due to the repression of political crimes
Tsar Nicholas II was the last ruling monarch of the Romanov dynasty, which had ruled Russia since 1613
Tsar Nicholas II was reluctant to introduce the reforms promised in the October Manifesto, and the Duma and other government institutions had no real power, with the Tsar retaining ultimate authority
By the end of 1916, the war had taken a dramatic toll on the Russian economy
There was an increase in inflation, a munitions crisis, and extensive rationing
This had significant socio-economic effects on the state of Russia
The scarcity of goods increased, leading to a rise in strikes in Moscow and Petrograd
In 1914, there were 10,000 workers on strike, but this number had risen to 880,000 by 1916
The war also brought economic problems to the rural areas, with a decrease in the workforce due to conscription
Peasants were unable to make a profit due to low grain prices, and inflation further impoverished them
The Tsar was complacent and did little to address the social unrest, assuming the government would survive as it had in 1905
On February 23, 1917, thousands of women took to the streets to celebrate International Women's Day, and the protests snowballed out of control
On February 25, 1917, there were 200,000 people protesting in the streets of Petrograd, and the military troops sent to suppress the rebellion joined the protesters
On March 2, 1917, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated his throne, ending the Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia since 1613
This was the first step towards the establishment of a Soviet Socialist Republic
Lenin didn't expect the Tsar to abdicate as early as March 1917, he believed the Tsar would try to suppress the revolution
Lenin didn't expect the revolution to occur in his lifetime, but when the Tsar abdicated he saw it as an opportunity to instigate a socialist revolution
The German government helped Lenin return to Russia because they saw him as someone who would intensify tensions and either cause domestic problems in Russia or negotiate peace with Germany
When Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917, he argued that the socialists should take over the government and there should be an immediate socialist revolution
Other leaders who returned to Russia in 1917
Joseph Stalin in March
Gregory Zinoviev in April
Nikolai Bukharin in May
Lenin's "April Thesis"
Demanded an immediate socialist revolution, no more provisional government
Lenin's "Promise of Peace, Land and Bread"
Withdraw from WorldWar 1, land reform for peasants, end hardships of war
"All power to the Soviets"
Demanded all power be delegated to the Soviets, saw the February Revolution as only the first step
Initially, Lenin's return had little impact, his April Thesis didn't win much popular support
The Bolsheviks began to oppose the Provisional Government, which was seen as a blockade to achieving a socialist state
Lenin's ideas attracted support from radicals like Trotsky
In June 1917, the provisional government launched a renewed attack on the Austro-Hungarian army, known as the June offensive
The June offensive was a failure, leading to mass desertions, breakdown of army discipline, and many deaths
Cadet ministers resigned from the government on July 3rd