All Flashcards
What was the February Revolution (1917)?
Mass protests and strikes forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate; Duma established the Provisional Government.
What was the October Revolution (1917)?
Led by Lenin, the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government, establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat.
What was the Russian Civil War (1917-1923)?
Conflict between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (Monarchists and liberals); Red Army victory led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
What was the significance of the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family?
Marked the end of the Romanov dynasty and symbolized the radical nature of the Bolshevik revolution.
What was the impact of World War I on Russia?
Drained resources, fueled discontent, and exacerbated existing social and economic problems, contributing to the revolution.
What was the purpose of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
Introduced by Lenin to improve economic performance by combining some free-market principles with communist ideology.
What events led to the Tsar's abdication?
Food shortages, inflation, war weariness, government corruption, and protests in Petrograd.
What was the outcome of the Bolshevik takeover?
The Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government and established a dictatorship of the proletariat based on Marxist-Leninist theory.
What role did foreign powers play in the Russian Civil War?
Foreign powers supported the White Army in an attempt to defeat the Bolsheviks.
What was the human cost of the Russian Civil War?
Millions of casualties, mostly civilians, due to fighting, famine, and disease.
Compare the February and October Revolutions.
February: Overthrow of Tsar, Provisional Government. October: Bolshevik takeover, communist state.
Compare the Red Army and White Army.
Red Army: Bolsheviks, supported revolution. White Army: Monarchists/liberals, opposed revolution, supported by foreign powers.
Compare the Tsarist regime and the Provisional Government.
Tsarist regime: Autocratic, resisted reform. Provisional Government: Intended to be democratic, weak and ineffective.
Compare Lenin's approach to communism with traditional Marxism.
Lenin emphasized a vanguard party and adapted Marxist principles to the agrarian Russian society.
Compare the social and economic conditions before and after the revolution.
Before: Inequality, poverty, war weariness. After: Some improvements in equality, but also widespread famine and political repression.
Compare the goals of the Bolsheviks and the Provisional Government.
Bolsheviks: Establish a communist state. Provisional Government: Establish a democratic republic.
Compare the NEP with strict communism.
NEP: Some free-market principles. Strict communism: State control of all aspects of the economy.
Compare the impact of WWI and the Civil War on the Russian economy.
Both devastated the Russian economy, but the Civil War led to even greater destruction and famine.
Compare the leadership styles of Tsar Nicholas II and Vladimir Lenin.
Tsar Nicholas II: Autocratic and indecisive. Vladimir Lenin: Charismatic and ruthless.
Compare the roles of workers and peasants in the February and October Revolutions.
Both played a key role in both revolutions, but the Bolsheviks were more successful in mobilizing their support.
What is Socialism?
Arose from Industrial Revolution inequalities; advocates for collective ownership and fair wealth distribution.
What is the Bolshevik Party?
Led by Lenin, a Marxist revolutionary; supported by Germany to destabilize Russia during WWI.
What is the Provisional Government?
Established by the Duma after the February Revolution, intended to govern Russia temporarily.
What is the Red Army?
The Bolshevik army during the Russian Civil War.
What is the White Army?
A coalition of monarchists, liberals, and other anti-Bolshevik factions during the Russian Civil War, supported by foreign powers.
What is the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
Introduced by Lenin to improve economic performance; combined some free-market principles with communist ideology.
What is meant by 'dictatorship of the proletariat'?
A Marxist concept referring to a state where the working class holds political power.
Define Autocratic Rule.
A system of government where one person possesses unlimited power.
What is meant by 'War Weariness'?
A feeling of fatigue, disillusionment, and discontent caused by prolonged involvement in war.
What is meant by 'Marxist-Leninist theory'?
A political ideology combining Marxist principles with Lenin's adaptations, emphasizing a vanguard party and the dictatorship of the proletariat.