Generic question style: Describe and explain how a force or movement influenced a specific individual or group of people *to

take actions* Describe and explain *the consequences/success of these actions* Specifics: Force or movement: Communism Group/individual: The Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin Structure:

The Russian Revolution

A rough essay plan ;)

Introduction, outlining the force, the group, the influences, and the actions they take. I write mine like an English essay introduction, which seems to work just fine. A paragraph outlining the way the force influences the Bolsheviks. The force of communism centred around the ideals outlined in Karl Marxs late 1800s text The Communist Manifesto, which detailed the struggle of the workers over the ages, and discussed the progressive economic and governmental changes that society had been through and should expect; the end goal, he said, was a communist society where no government held power and each and every man was equal, with the slogan from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, i.e. everyone working together for the benefit of society. The Bolsheviks identified strongly with these ideas, and set about as revolutionaries to abolish the ruling elite, redistribute all wealth, land and assets, and introduce mass social and economic reforms including the removal of free trade and money from the economy, and the introduction of free education and health care for all. The Bolsheviks fashioned themselves as revolutionaries fighting for the good of their fellow countrymen and women, under the influences of these communist ideals. Social-economic conditions as an influence The poor socio-economic conditions the majority of Russians lived in were a key influence in the Bolsheviks attempts to *seek change* 1861 edict of emancipation frees all serfs, but landowners then sell land to the recently freed serfs, who cannot afford it. Very high taxes and mortage rates are imposed on the peasants, which leaves them with very little money and little land on which to live off, leading to mass famine. 1.5% of Russians own all the land, and the ruling autocracy under Tsar Nicholas Rumanov taxes landowners very low in relation to the peasants. Poor quality of life in country is not bettered by cities; industrial revolution in mid 1800s lead to factories in Russia, but there is equally terrible wealth disparity as wages are very low and there is little food available. Influx of peasants from countryside due to famine doesnt improve situation. The Bolsheviks felt that the introduction of communism would help solve these issues by redistributing wealth equally, including land, and ensuring food was distributed for the good of the people rather than for bolstering economy through sale. Political issues as an influence The persecution of foreign national minorities through the policy of Russification, and the Russian nations involvement in World War 1, were key influences on the Bolsheviks *seeking change* Individuals of foreign nationalities and of religions other than the Russian Orthodox Christianity were persecuted in the earl 20th century in a process known as Russification, whereby foreigners were forced to adopt Russian practices and only recognise the Russian Orthodox Church, or face punishments and persecution. This process involved all foreigners speaking the Russian language, using Russian customs, and following the Russian Orthodox

Church, kept strictly under control by the ruling Tsar and used as an IDA (idealogical state apparatus), as a form of propaganda for the people of Russia. Russia was also fighting on the Eastern front of World War One against Germany, and was failing catastrophically in the majority of its battle; in a single battle lead by the Tsar in late 1914, 120,000 troops were lost. Although there had been excitement across Russia at the outbreak, by 1915 the war was causing strife for all and discontent was high; the people of Russia wanted to make a peace treaty with Germany and pull out of the war, but the Tsar refused. The Bolsheviks saw these issues as a point that they could gain support on, and used it as a rallying point, as it supported their ideals. The Bolsheviks felt that communism and its equality of rights for all would solve the Russification issue, and they promised to the Russian people to pull out of the war with no loss of Land for Russia. A brief paragraph on the revolution itself In February 1917, dissatisfaction with the Tsars autocratic ruling style and the policies he was enforcing, coupled with Russias poor performance in WWI and the Tsars refusal to pull out, reached a peak amongst the working class and mass protests occurred. During this time, on his return from the front lines, the Tsar found his train unable to continue and, sensing the possible outcome of the unrest, abdicated from power without naming an heir. The workers unions (the Soviets, which were largely controlled by Bolshevik revolutinaries) and the remains of the parliament of the Tsar (the Duma) quickly formed a dual system of rule in Russia, with the Duma adopting the title of the Provisional Government. Due to their hold on the infrastructure of Russia, they held the most control; however, their fundamental flaw was that they were not prepared to take the action that the working class was calling for and, in October, a second revolution was staged, and the Soviets took control of the nation. This effectively installed the Bolsheviks as the ruling party of the nation. Economic consequences Lenin, as the leader of the Bolsheviks and thus the leader of the new nation of Russia, rapidly made sweeping changes to the economic system in Russia. All money was removed from circulation and made valueless, and free trade between individuals was abolished, while all land previously held by landlords was made available for equal distribution amongst the working class. It was also announced that the output of factories and farms was to be regulated by the government, so that the right amount of goods were produced, and any surplus was equally distributed. This reform was intended to bring about an end to the wealth disparity and famine amongst the working class, and initially succeeded in doing this. Social consequences Lenin also introduced reforms that changed the structure of society, and the way people were treated by others. Lenins first change involved the dissolving of the social hierarchy, so that all people regardless of race and gender were equal; no longer were doctors and lawyers held higher than others, as everyone referred to each other as comrade. Lenin also introduced a national state welfare system, that provided care for those of old age, with injuries, or disabilities, or illness. Promises were made for maternity leave for mothers, and the Orthodox Church, as a symbol of the Tsarist regime and against the ideals of communism, was all but destroyed. Lenin disbanded the nations army, another symbol of the Tsar, saying that private militia of Russians would be suffice to defend the nation. Political consequences The Bolsheviks introduction of communism had several political consequences as well, including the establishment of a new ruling party, the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty with Germany, and a civil war that enveloped the country for several years. Under Marxist ideals, communism (an economic system) should be able to function without the help of a single ruling body; Lenin, however, created the Sovnarkom, which he chaired and stated was responsible for the effective introduction of national communism. In mid-1918, the Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Germany, the Brest-Litovsk treaty, that effectively removed Russia from World War One. Before the takeover, this had been a very contentious

issue, and the Soviets had claimed it could be done without any loss of land or people; this, however, did not occur, and Russia lost a quarter of its population and fertile land, and more than half its coal and iron deposits, along with war reparations of 300 million gold roubles. This left many people in Russia very unhappy, but it also angered the other allied nations of World War One, e.g. Britain and America, and they had lost a valuable ally. In an attempt to force them back into the war, the other Allied nations helped the deposed members of the Provisional government and their supporters, the White Armies, to attack the Bolshevik Reds, and regain control. This move forced the Bolsheviks to re-establish the Red Army, in order to defend its grip on power. In order to keep the Red Army forces going, the Bolsheviks instilled a policy of War Communism, whereby all factories produced equipment for the army as their priority, and personal requirements and the welfare of the civilians of Russia as a secondary priority. Food and goods were tightly rationed, and tens of millions died through famine. The fighting that proceeded to break out across Russia became the Russian Civil War, and lasted until 1921 when, with the Allies winning the war several years earlier and their support for the White Forces slowly waning, the Bolsheviks gained full control of the country. My mind has gone blank now XD. Sorry.