Change in Russia Following the 1917 Revolution - 1035 Words

The Russian Socialist Party, the Bolsheviks brought about dramatic changes in Russian society following the 1917 Revolution. They took advantage of the unique time and place and once they had gained control of Russia they were willing to go to any lengths to ensure they remained in power and their Socialist ideals were put into action. The social organisation in Russia was an unjust system of autocracy, resulting in a majority of discontent. Russian society consisted of large amounts of peasants who owned a small amount of the land but made up the greatest proportion of the population. Socialism, and thus the Bolsheviks, was seen as a great attraction as dramatic change was what the majority wanted to see to change this unfair social†¦show more content†¦This did not mean that the Bolsheviks, now Communists, did not have enemies. Enemies who were determined that the party should not remain in power for long. 1918 was the beginning of a civil war between the Reds (Communists) and the Whites ( Bolshevik opponents) which was to tear Russia apart. To keep the Red Army supplied Lenin instituted war communism. Society suffered as it meant food supplies were low and industry production fell as workers left the cities. By 1921 this policy had left the Russian economy in ruins, cities were in chaos and agricultural production had collapsed resulting in famine. The Bolsheviks had take power with little resistance and quickly instituted many changes to the system of government and social organisation of Russia. However, a large percentage of the Russian population did not believe the Bolsheviks should govern Russia. The Reds single-minded belief that they were in the right and their unity allowed them to win the Civil War and firmly entrench themselves in government. The social organisation in Russia was changed radically once the Bolsheviks seized power. Women and men became equal, maximum eight-hour day was implemented, workers insurance was established and everyone became equal as class distinctions were abolished. Even so, harsh standards of living had to be endured under the policy of war communism- the brutality of the new government quickly became apparent with the Red Terror. The Communists under theShow MoreRelatedThe Russian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution Essay1196 Words   |  5 PagesRussian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21. London: UCL Press, 1996. Read, Christopher. From Tsar to Soviets: The Russian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21. London: UCL Press, 1996. pp. 6, 63. Christopher Read, the author of the book From Tsar to Soviets: The Russian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21, is a professor at the University of Warwick in Europe. Read teaches twentieth-century European history. 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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 Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1295 Words   |  6 Pages†¢ Following the Second World War, complications arose centering on the shifting of international power. The Soviet Union wanted to acquire additional territory, while the United States attempted to limit the gains desired by the soviets. This battle of ideology has resulted in an increase in National se curity, Diplomatic tension and Proxy wars between the two powerful nations.For over three hundred years, Russia had been controlled by an autocratic government known as the tsarist regime. This empireRead MoreFebruary Revolution: Causes1326 Words   |  6 PagesCAUSES OF THE FEBRUARY REVOLUTION (1917)
                      
        

      The February Revolution of 1917 was first of the two revolutions in Russia in 1917, the revolution which began the transformation of the country. As an immediate result of this revolution, Tsar Nicholas II