Imagine yourself living in a country where the mass population is suppressed and economically exploited by a small number of people. That was the situation in the Russian empire. The monarch accompanied by some elite businessmen had all the power to run over the common people -- most of whom struggled to provide for their families even with their best efforts.
Protests over this situation ultimately resulted in a revolt against the imperial authorities. In historical accounts, this is referred to as the Russian revolution.
Reasons
While most of the European powers in the 19th century had put their steps in the sphere of industrialization. Russia was still far behind under the rule of the Tsars (the title of the kings of the Russian empire). Their industries started to develop in the latter half of the 19th century.
While industrialization flourished rapidly, the common people still suffered to witness a change in their fates. Conversely, this rapid industrialization led to the rise of some aristocratic and elite classes. The majority of people had no say in the way the country was run. After a humiliating defeat to the Japanese army in 1905, the then Tsar Nicholas II faced tremendous backlash in his country which eventually started to fuel the upcoming revolts. The devastation of the Russian Empire during World War I also spread the gun powders for this revolution.
The Russian revolution is divided into two parts. The February revolution and The October revolution.
The February revolution
Protests began in the capital city of Petrograd, now known as St Petersburg, in March 1917. They were dissatisfied with their shortage of food and the suffering brought on by the ongoing war. Tsar Nicholas II was forced to resign due to the intensity of the situation. Interestingly the revolution took place in March but due to a different type of calendar used at that time, this revolt became known as the February Revolution.
The rise of the Bolsheviks
After the resignation of the Tsar, A temporary government came to power. However, this government miserably failed to fulfil the demands of the common people which sparked the rise of the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks promised to fulfil the demands and necessities of the common people. They also promoted a new ideology known as “Communism.” Communism aims to create a classless society, promoting equality in every sphere of society. Under the leadership of a charismatic orator, Vladimir Lenin, the party prospered more than ever before.
The October revolution
The Bolsheviks started another revolution in October 1917. On October 25, they invaded the Winter Palace, the seat of the provisional government.
This event occurred without any major bloodshed and conflicts. Having power, the Bolsheviks started implementing new policies. They seized industries from their owners and turned them over to the workers; they also withdrew Russia out of the First World War and granted lands to the farmers.
The next time you think about how important it is to stand up for what you believe in, remember the story of the Russian revolution
Life after the revolution
The Bolsheviks took some drastic steps to redesign the economy. But some people were not satisfied with them. This started a civil war between the Bolsheviks (also known as the Reds) and their opponents (the Whites). The civil war lasted from 1918 to 1922.
The creation of the Soviet Union
After winning the civil war, the Bolsheviks established the Soviet Union in 1922. The Soviet Union became the largest country in the world in terms of land area. This newly formed country also embraced a new socio-economic ideology called “Communism.”
The impact of the Russian revolution
The Russian revolution had a huge impact on the world. It inspired other countries to think about their systems of government and consider making changes. It also led to the spread of communist ideas around the world.
Conclusion
The Russian Revolution was a time of great change and upheaval. It was a period when the people of Russia stood up and demanded a better life. Though it was a difficult and sometimes violent time, it led to the creation of a new government and new ideas that influenced the world for years to come.
So, the next time you think about how important it is to stand up for what you believe in, remember the story of the Russian revolution and how the people of Russia changed their country forever.
Ruwaid Mehran Shayaan is a student at Dhaka Residential Model College.