#AP European History: Russian Revolution Study Guide

Hey there! Let's break down the Russian Revolution and get you prepped for the AP exam. Remember, you've got this! 💪

#The Russian Revolution (1917-1923)

The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social upheaval that transformed the Russian Empire into the Soviet Union. It's a crucial topic, so let's dive in!

#

• Timeline: 1917-1923
• Key Players: Tsar Nicholas II, Vladimir Lenin, Bolsheviks, Provisional Government
• Outcome: Overthrow of the monarchy, establishment of the Soviet Union

Jump to Roots of the Revolution
Jump to February Revolution
Jump to October Revolution
Jump to Russian Civil War
Jump to Final Exam Focus
Jump to Practice Questions

# Roots of the Bolshevik Revolution

The revolution didn't just happen overnight. It had deep roots in social, economic, and political issues.

• Socialism:
  • Arose in response to the Industrial Revolution's inequalities.
  • Advocated for collective ownership and fair distribution of wealth.
• Industrialization in Russia:
  • Slow and uneven, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty.
  • Created a large, dissatisfied working class.
• Political Stagnation:
  • Autocratic rule of the Tsar. 👑
  • Lack of political reform and representation.
• Costly Wars:
  • Crimean War and World War I drained resources and fueled discontent.
• Bolshevik Party:
  • Led by Vladimir Lenin, a Marxist revolutionary.
  • Supported by Germany to destabilize Russia during WWI.

# February Revolution (1917)

This was the first major upheaval that led to the end of Tsarist rule.

• Causes:
  • Food shortages, high inflation, and war weariness.
  • Government corruption and Tsar's incompetence.
  • Protests led by women and workers in Petrograd.
• Key Events:
  • Mass protests and strikes forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate.
  • Duma established the Provisional Government.

# October Revolution (1917)

The Bolsheviks seized power, setting the stage for a communist state.

• Bolshevik Takeover:
  • Led by Lenin, the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government.
  • Military and worker insurrections.
  • Established a dictatorship of the proletariat based on Marxist-Leninist theory.

# Russian Civil War (1917-1923)

A brutal conflict that shaped the early Soviet Union.

• Combatants:
  • Red Army (Bolsheviks) vs. White Army (Monarchists and liberals).
  • Foreign powers supported the White Army.
• Key Events:
  • Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed.
  • Millions of casualties, mostly civilians. 💔
• Outcome:
  • Red Army victory.
  • Establishment of the Soviet Union under Lenin.
• New Economic Policy (NEP):
  • Introduced by Lenin to improve economic performance.
  • Combined some free-market principles with communist ideology.
  • Allowed for some private enterprise to boost recovery.

#Vladimir Lenin; Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

# Final Exam Focus

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here's what you absolutely need to know for the exam:

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Causes of the revolution (social, economic, political).
  • Key events: February and October Revolutions, Civil War.
  • Lenin's role and the Bolsheviks.
  • Impact of WWI on Russia.
  • New Economic Policy (NEP).
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on key events and figures.
  • Short Answer Questions (SAQs) on causes and consequences.
  • Free Response Questions (FRQs) analyzing the revolution's impact.

• Time Management:
  • Don't spend too long on one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
  • Allocate time for each section based on its weightage.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Confusing the February and October Revolutions.
  • Not understanding the role of WWI.
  • Failing to analyze the impact of the NEP.

# Practice Questions

Let's test your knowledge with some practice questions. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a cause of the Russian Revolution? (A) Food shortages (B) World War I (C) The rise of fascism (D) Government corruption

2. The New Economic Policy (NEP) implemented by Lenin in the 1920s was designed to: (A) Completely eliminate private property (B) Introduce some capitalist elements into the Soviet economy (C) Rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union (D) Establish a fully communist society immediately

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain the significance of the February Revolution and the October Revolution in the context of the Russian Revolution.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the Russian Revolution. In your response, be sure to discuss how these factors interacted with each other to create the conditions for revolution.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Evidence (2-3 points): Provides specific historical evidence to support the thesis, such as:
  • Social: Class tensions, poverty, inequality.
  • Economic: Industrialization, food shortages, inflation.
  • Political: Autocracy, corruption, WWI.
• Analysis (2-3 points): Analyzes how these factors interacted to cause the revolution. For example:
  • How WWI exacerbated existing social and economic problems.
  • How political stagnation fueled discontent.
  • How the Bolsheviks capitalized on these conditions.
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the Russian Revolution to broader themes in European history, such as:
  • The impact of industrialization on social structures.
  • The rise of socialist and communist ideologies.
  • The effects of war on political stability.