Socialism in Europe and the Russia

Factors Leading to Socialism in Europe

Liberals and radicals wanted change in the social structure.

Conservatives realized that change was inevitable, however wanted it to be a

gradual process.

The industrial revolution led to the formation of new cities, industrial regions and
the expansion of the railway.

The working conditions were however quite poor.

Advent of Socialism in Europe

Socialists were against the concept of private property.

They believed that property needed to be owned collectively.

Some of the eminent socialist thinkers were Robert Owen, Louis Blanc, Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels.

The 1905 Revolution

Russia was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II.

Both peasants and workers were unhappy with the situation.

Parties such as the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party and the Socialist
Revolutionary Party were formed to help them.

The RSDWP consisted of two groups – Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin and
Mensheviks led by Julius Martov.

In 1905 the Russians revolted.

The Tsar finally relented and created the Duma.

Russian Participation in the First World War

Russia took part in the First World War.

It suffered heavy causalities.

While retreating the soldiers burnt crops and buildings rendering lots of people
homeless.

The Germans blocked the supplies coming to Russia through the Baltic sea.

Labour shortages resulted in workshops shutting down.

Shortage of grain resulted in bread riots.

The February and October Revolutions

The February revolution saw the fall of the monarchy.

A provincial government was formed headed by Kerenskii.

The October revolution saw the fall of the Kerenskii government and the rise of the
Bolsheviks.

The Civil War

The Bolsheviks implanted the April Thesis ideas.

The anti-Bolsheviks were not happy with some of the steps taken by the
Bolsheviks.

They, along with America, Britain, France and Japan tried to wrest power from the
Bolsheviks.

The Bolsheviks finally won the civil war.

In 1905 the Russians revolted.

The main outcome of the civil war was the creation of the Soviet Republic or
USSR.

Five year plans were made to ensure the growth of the Soviet Union.

Stalinism and Collectivisation

There was an acute grain shortage in 1927.

Farmers were not willing to sell at the government specified prices.

Stalin introduced collectivization as a solution.