The Russian Revolution of 1917
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was one of the most influential geopolitical events of the 20th century. The success of the Revolution resulted in the collapse of a centuries-old absolutist monarchy, the destruction of the Romanov dynasty, and promised a new state built upon the ideas of the dictatorship of the proletariat. However, this was not to be, as the legacy of the revolution turned out to be the rise of one of the most oppressive totalitarian regimes in history. It also brought to the world stage several influential individuals whose actions would shape the lives of those around them. The Russian Revolution of 1917 changed the world in many ways and affected the lives of millions upon millions of people. …show more content…
Early in his life, Lenin adopted the ideas of Karl Marx, known as Marxism. Marxism advocates the establishment of a communist society, in which goods and property are universally shared. He became a leader in a group of radical Marxists known as the Bolsheviks (meaning “majority” in contrast to the other main group, known as the Mensheviks, or “minority”). Once Lenin began spouting revolutionary rhetoric, he was exiled from Russia to prevent him from causing unrest. During the Revolution of 1905, Lenin called for an uprising against the imperial government. After the October Manifesto was passed, Lenin returned to St. Petersburg (then Russia’s capital) and resumed revolutionary activities. During the Revolution of 1905, revolutionaries briefly took control of St. Petersburg and created a soviet (a council of workers). A major leader in this soviet was Leon Trotsky, who served as vice-chairman. Trotsky was exiled following the arrest of the soviet by the imperial government. Trotsky would later join the Bolsheviks along with Lenin. Their revolutionary activities would become very important during the Revolution of
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was one of the most influential geopolitical events of the 20th century. The success of the Revolution resulted in the collapse of a centuries-old absolutist monarchy, the destruction of the Romanov dynasty, and promised a new state built upon the ideas of the dictatorship of the proletariat. However, this was not to be, as the legacy of the revolution turned out to be the rise of one of the most oppressive totalitarian regimes in history. It also brought to the world stage several influential individuals whose actions would shape the lives of those around them. The Russian Revolution of 1917 changed the world in many ways and affected the lives of millions upon millions of people. …show more content…
Early in his life, Lenin adopted the ideas of Karl Marx, known as Marxism. Marxism advocates the establishment of a communist society, in which goods and property are universally shared. He became a leader in a group of radical Marxists known as the Bolsheviks (meaning “majority” in contrast to the other main group, known as the Mensheviks, or “minority”). Once Lenin began spouting revolutionary rhetoric, he was exiled from Russia to prevent him from causing unrest. During the Revolution of 1905, Lenin called for an uprising against the imperial government. After the October Manifesto was passed, Lenin returned to St. Petersburg (then Russia’s capital) and resumed revolutionary activities. During the Revolution of 1905, revolutionaries briefly took control of St. Petersburg and created a soviet (a council of workers). A major leader in this soviet was Leon Trotsky, who served as vice-chairman. Trotsky was exiled following the arrest of the soviet by the imperial government. Trotsky would later join the Bolsheviks along with Lenin. Their revolutionary activities would become very important during the Revolution of