Russian Revolution Research Paper
Blake Feldmar
Period 3, H World History
February 20, 2013
The Russian Revolution Russia’s government and economic system underwent profound changes in the 20th century. With a monarchy that had been in power for more than two centuries, a lack of industrialization, and the advent of World War I, Russia’s time had come to evolve as a country. Over the course of two decades, Russia went from agricultural to industrial, and the new idea of communism was implemented. Communism is an economic system in which all business is government-owned and distributed evenly among citizens, and is vital to the understanding of Russia’s growth. The issue arises with respect to how, what, and why did Russia evolve and “progress” from an antiquated monarchy into its latest evolution, and what will Russia evolve into next? Conditions in the early 1900s were ripe for a revolution in Russia. A small revolt had already occurred in 1905, and the Russians had suffered a humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese war. The Czar, Nicholas II, was extremely unpopular, and late in the year granted Russia’s first constitution and permission to create a parliament, the Duma. However, radical political groups often came into power in the Duma, which bothered the Czar. As a result, he continuously disbanded it and forced new elections, rendering it ineffective. Meanwhile, while many other European countries were industrialized, Russia remained a primarily agricultural country. When they joined World War I in 1914, they lacked the weapons and technology to fight, and suffered huge losses relative to the other combatants. In hopes of gaining popularity, Czar Nicholas II went to fight at the battlefront, leaving his wife, Alexandra, in charge. Alexandra was largely disliked by the people, due to a combination of her German heritage and obstinate personality. Alexandra’s biggest problem was the overwhelming influence of Gregori Rasputin, a poor uneducated “holy man” from Siberia. Rasputin claimed
Period 3, H World History
February 20, 2013
The Russian Revolution Russia’s government and economic system underwent profound changes in the 20th century. With a monarchy that had been in power for more than two centuries, a lack of industrialization, and the advent of World War I, Russia’s time had come to evolve as a country. Over the course of two decades, Russia went from agricultural to industrial, and the new idea of communism was implemented. Communism is an economic system in which all business is government-owned and distributed evenly among citizens, and is vital to the understanding of Russia’s growth. The issue arises with respect to how, what, and why did Russia evolve and “progress” from an antiquated monarchy into its latest evolution, and what will Russia evolve into next? Conditions in the early 1900s were ripe for a revolution in Russia. A small revolt had already occurred in 1905, and the Russians had suffered a humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese war. The Czar, Nicholas II, was extremely unpopular, and late in the year granted Russia’s first constitution and permission to create a parliament, the Duma. However, radical political groups often came into power in the Duma, which bothered the Czar. As a result, he continuously disbanded it and forced new elections, rendering it ineffective. Meanwhile, while many other European countries were industrialized, Russia remained a primarily agricultural country. When they joined World War I in 1914, they lacked the weapons and technology to fight, and suffered huge losses relative to the other combatants. In hopes of gaining popularity, Czar Nicholas II went to fight at the battlefront, leaving his wife, Alexandra, in charge. Alexandra was largely disliked by the people, due to a combination of her German heritage and obstinate personality. Alexandra’s biggest problem was the overwhelming influence of Gregori Rasputin, a poor uneducated “holy man” from Siberia. Rasputin claimed