Critical Junctures &Revolution in Russia
1861-1917 The Russian Revolutions and the End of the Russian Tsarist State
Even though the serfs (peasant bonded to nobles) had been emancipated in 1861, little had changed regarding ownership of land in Russia; the landlords (the state) still owned much of the land. Russia had an autocratic government and no entrepreneurial class, and so any attempts to industrialize and move forward came from either the state or foreign capital. Trade Unions were either illegal or useless, and the regime repressed its people. Workers grew discontent, and along with liberals, intellectuals, students, and later, peasants, started a revolution in 1905, which succeeded in toppling the tsarist regime in 1917.
This revolution involved non-state actors fighting against the state. Therefore, it can be defined as guerrilla warfare. The change is most certainly revolutionary in nature, as the former regime was entirely toppled and gave way to a completely new one.
This revolution involved non-state actors fighting against the state. Therefore, it can be defined as guerrilla warfare. The change is most certainly revolutionary in nature, as the former regime was entirely toppled and gave way to a completely new one.
1917-1929 The Bolshevik Revolution and the Establishment of Soviet Power
In March 1917, Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown. In November, the Bolsheviks, lead by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the moderate provisional government. The Bolsheviks were Marxist who claimed to stand for the ideals of the proletariat (working class). They formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922. They seized key economic sectors and nationalized industries. The Bolshevik strategy included two parts. The first: Democratic centralism, that is, an elected leadership, but with strict discipline in implementing party policy. The second: vanguard party, that is, the Bolsheviks believed that they understood the interests of the working people better than the people themselves did. Throughout the 1920's, the "centralism" part of Democratic centralism would take precedence over "Democratic," and the party would become increasingly authoritarian. After Lenin's death in 1924, the Bolsheviks experienced internal turmoil, with Stalin ultimately ascending to the "throne." The Bolshevik Revolution and the proceeding years marked a period of international isolation for Russia.
The Bolshevik revolution involved non-state actors (the Bolsheviks were not part of the government prior to gaining power) against the state, so it is guerrilla warfare. The change veers towards revolutionary, as it is a violent, sudden, and drastic change in regime.
The Bolshevik revolution involved non-state actors (the Bolsheviks were not part of the government prior to gaining power) against the state, so it is guerrilla warfare. The change veers towards revolutionary, as it is a violent, sudden, and drastic change in regime.
1929-1953 The Stalin Revolution
Although the Stalin Revolution did not involve public seizure of the state, yet it's a revolution,notorious for heavy dose of violence and blood-bath, that lead to far-reaching political, economic, and social changes in Soviet union.
First, with regard to economy, just from 1929 to 1935, the Soviet governemnt had taken away all economic assests (land, factories, stores.etc) and more than 90% of agricultral lands from property owners and farmers under control of the state. Instead of "the invisible hand of market" , the state planing economy committe (Gosplan) set production targets for every factory and collective farm, strongly emphasizing on heavy industry (steel mills, machine buidling) at the expense of farming and light industry(producing consumer goods). Such a radical economic revolution, named "Collectivization ", had successfully transfromed Soviet Union from a traditional farming-based country to a highly industrialized one within mere ten years since 1929, thereby laying a solide foundation for the later emergence as a global superpower. However, this centralized command economy of Soviet Union was inefficient in production and had been that way until the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991.
Second, during this period, the society had similarily undergone a sweeping change.The peasantry and and capitialist class suffered heavily from this revolution, lossing almost all their private properties. Widespread famine resulted in death of millions. The fast-paced urban industrial life soon supplanted long-standing countryside lives across the country. Moreover, strict media censorship and powerful propaganda machine strifled the freedom of speech, blocked the interaction with the outside world and strangled creativty: those who (includign clergy) deviating from the government's interpretations were either imprisoned, exiled or executed without solid evidence or proper judicial process. Because of the terror brought by Great Pruge, people weren't dare to express their true view; in addition, mistrust between each other spread rapidly. In addition, the bloody suppresion of minorities' ( e.g Chechens) rebellions against Soivet totalitarism further widened the ethinc and social cleavages.
Third, Stalin changed the Soviet politics with a heavy hand. By eliminating political rivals, oppositions and dissidents periodically, Stalin and his secret police therefore seized the absolute control of every sector of
the Soviet Union and built up a forceful, bloody dictatorship, the Stalinist system. Almost all the important decisions were made by Stalin himself, the process of which was unpredicatble. This totalitarian system shocked the western word and made Soviet Union isolated from the international community until the World War Two.
In the postwar period (after 1945), the Stalin's Soviet model was largely replicated in east Europe. Hence, the Soviet Union de facto turn those countries such as Eastern Germany and Poland as satellite countries or just simply integrated them, forming a large bloc from the outside world.
First, with regard to economy, just from 1929 to 1935, the Soviet governemnt had taken away all economic assests (land, factories, stores.etc) and more than 90% of agricultral lands from property owners and farmers under control of the state. Instead of "the invisible hand of market" , the state planing economy committe (Gosplan) set production targets for every factory and collective farm, strongly emphasizing on heavy industry (steel mills, machine buidling) at the expense of farming and light industry(producing consumer goods). Such a radical economic revolution, named "Collectivization ", had successfully transfromed Soviet Union from a traditional farming-based country to a highly industrialized one within mere ten years since 1929, thereby laying a solide foundation for the later emergence as a global superpower. However, this centralized command economy of Soviet Union was inefficient in production and had been that way until the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991.
Second, during this period, the society had similarily undergone a sweeping change.The peasantry and and capitialist class suffered heavily from this revolution, lossing almost all their private properties. Widespread famine resulted in death of millions. The fast-paced urban industrial life soon supplanted long-standing countryside lives across the country. Moreover, strict media censorship and powerful propaganda machine strifled the freedom of speech, blocked the interaction with the outside world and strangled creativty: those who (includign clergy) deviating from the government's interpretations were either imprisoned, exiled or executed without solid evidence or proper judicial process. Because of the terror brought by Great Pruge, people weren't dare to express their true view; in addition, mistrust between each other spread rapidly. In addition, the bloody suppresion of minorities' ( e.g Chechens) rebellions against Soivet totalitarism further widened the ethinc and social cleavages.
Third, Stalin changed the Soviet politics with a heavy hand. By eliminating political rivals, oppositions and dissidents periodically, Stalin and his secret police therefore seized the absolute control of every sector of
the Soviet Union and built up a forceful, bloody dictatorship, the Stalinist system. Almost all the important decisions were made by Stalin himself, the process of which was unpredicatble. This totalitarian system shocked the western word and made Soviet Union isolated from the international community until the World War Two.
In the postwar period (after 1945), the Stalin's Soviet model was largely replicated in east Europe. Hence, the Soviet Union de facto turn those countries such as Eastern Germany and Poland as satellite countries or just simply integrated them, forming a large bloc from the outside world.
1953-1985 Attempts at De-Stalinization
De-Stalinization is more appropirate to be defined as a " moderate revolution" due to several reasons.
First, there is no fundamental change in political system: the Soviet Union is still ruled exclusively by the Communist party, the party leader still held the dominating power when making important decisions and the power is still highly centralized in the group of top leaders. The Soviet regime still remained conservative and bureaucratic. However, there is a noticable shift of politics from arbitrary, violent Stalinist model to rationality and stabilization. Since Nikita Khrushchev, who initiated the De-Stalinization, took the office as the party leader in 1953, the important issues has begun been discussed in the regular party meetings and decisions were made collectively, the activity that was inhibited by Stalin. Also, the power of the secret (KGB) was largely undermined because the Soviet elite realized that the terror, the base of Stalinist System, was harmful to the stability of country at long run. Certain, but still restricted freedom of expressing different political views was allowed, such as the criticism of Stalinist system.
Second, in regard to society, the control, although lossen compared with that in Stalin period, over media, speech and cultrual life was not removed: however, it still tightened in certain time. But the social environment was much improved since people were more could publicly discuss issues unimportant to the regime. Morever, during this period, people enjoyed free medical & recreational services, much higher standards of living and more personal life. That stable, relatively better-off situation stands in stark contrast with the society when Stalin in the office.
Third, the economic system is still commanded by the governemnt and production remained inefficent. The majority of resources was poured into the military sector and heavy industry in order to keep Soviet Union as a global superpower. That is to say, consumer and farming industry was still ignored.
To sum up, by definition, De-Stalinization was not a revolution since ther is no fundamental change political, social and economic structure.
First, there is no fundamental change in political system: the Soviet Union is still ruled exclusively by the Communist party, the party leader still held the dominating power when making important decisions and the power is still highly centralized in the group of top leaders. The Soviet regime still remained conservative and bureaucratic. However, there is a noticable shift of politics from arbitrary, violent Stalinist model to rationality and stabilization. Since Nikita Khrushchev, who initiated the De-Stalinization, took the office as the party leader in 1953, the important issues has begun been discussed in the regular party meetings and decisions were made collectively, the activity that was inhibited by Stalin. Also, the power of the secret (KGB) was largely undermined because the Soviet elite realized that the terror, the base of Stalinist System, was harmful to the stability of country at long run. Certain, but still restricted freedom of expressing different political views was allowed, such as the criticism of Stalinist system.
Second, in regard to society, the control, although lossen compared with that in Stalin period, over media, speech and cultrual life was not removed: however, it still tightened in certain time. But the social environment was much improved since people were more could publicly discuss issues unimportant to the regime. Morever, during this period, people enjoyed free medical & recreational services, much higher standards of living and more personal life. That stable, relatively better-off situation stands in stark contrast with the society when Stalin in the office.
Third, the economic system is still commanded by the governemnt and production remained inefficent. The majority of resources was poured into the military sector and heavy industry in order to keep Soviet Union as a global superpower. That is to say, consumer and farming industry was still ignored.
To sum up, by definition, De-Stalinization was not a revolution since ther is no fundamental change political, social and economic structure.
1985-1991 Perestrokia and Glasnost(openness)
The Glasnost( the policy of openess) launched by Mikhail Gorbachev is revolution in Soviet Union, althouh lacking violence.
First, the previously highly-centralized political power has been decentralized to local levels. Therefore, the regional autonomy increased. Even by 1989,many union republics claimed autonomy and dissected from the Soviet Union. Under Demokratizatsiia, the policy of democratization movement launched by Gorbachev, competitive elections started to be hold regularly in republic and local level. In 1990.3, the single party rule by Communist Party was rescinded and democratic political system consisting of multiple political parties began to form. Such a political change is a definitely fundamental one.
Secondly,there was a shift from command economy to market economy. Enterprises and factories gained independent power to decide what and how to produce the products according to demand of the market, not the mandatory order from the government.
Thirdly, people in Russia were given the unprecedented freedom of speech and participation in different kinds of social activities. The civil society grew much stronger. Russians were westernized rapidly.
Therefore, the Glasnost is a revolution since there were fundamental changes in politics, economical system and society. The power started to be given back to public.
First, the previously highly-centralized political power has been decentralized to local levels. Therefore, the regional autonomy increased. Even by 1989,many union republics claimed autonomy and dissected from the Soviet Union. Under Demokratizatsiia, the policy of democratization movement launched by Gorbachev, competitive elections started to be hold regularly in republic and local level. In 1990.3, the single party rule by Communist Party was rescinded and democratic political system consisting of multiple political parties began to form. Such a political change is a definitely fundamental one.
Secondly,there was a shift from command economy to market economy. Enterprises and factories gained independent power to decide what and how to produce the products according to demand of the market, not the mandatory order from the government.
Thirdly, people in Russia were given the unprecedented freedom of speech and participation in different kinds of social activities. The civil society grew much stronger. Russians were westernized rapidly.
Therefore, the Glasnost is a revolution since there were fundamental changes in politics, economical system and society. The power started to be given back to public.
1991-the Present Collapse of the USSR and Establishment of the Russian Federation
In 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the President of Russia, and declared the end of Soviet rule. In addition, he formed the Commonwealth of Independent State and claimed himself as the champion of democratic values and Russia national interest. Furthermore, he made many radical reforms, such as approaching to market economy and adopting the concept of Western Democracy in Russia. But on the other hand, since these are new and controversial to the old ideologies in Russia, these policies did not help the country but damage it. For example: the reforms lead to the declination of real wages and high inflation. In addition, another serious issue was the discord in executive and legislative branch, and it lead to new elections and a constitutional referendum, which enhanced the power of the President and weekend the power of the Parliament. Later on, the military conflict with Chechnya leads to a costly and poorly managed war and terrorist bombing. These events hurt the popularity of Yeltsin, and in 1999, Yeltsin nominated Vladimir Putin, and resigned as President. And in 2000, Putin became the new President of Russia.
After September 11, 2001
During Putin’s presidency, the economy is Russia have “experienced its first real grow in over a decade”. But however, in this time, Russia has been viewed as an authoritarian country and even a democratic backslider. In the beginning, when the attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon occurred, Russia has collaborated with the US to fight against terrorism. But then, few incidents, such as US’s incursion into Iraq, and its increasing influence in neighboring Georgia and post-Soviet Central Asia, had ruined the good relationship between Russia and US. On the other hand, since
1999, Russia had been attacked and bothered by a series of terrorist attack (the Chechens). And followed by the 911 incident in US, a series of terrorist attacks also occurred in Russia. The most serious terrorist attack was in September 1, 2004, when terrorist hold 1,000 children and family members into the gymnasium and made demands that were unacceptable. Since the terrorists had refused to provide the hostages with food and water, when the government successfully rescued the victims, it was three days later, and 300 people were dead already. These terrorist attacks did not weaken the power of the President, instead, giving Putin excuses to strengthen its power. After the terrorist attacks, Putin recentralized the political powers, making regional governments more dependent on the president. Furthermore, new legislation set obstacles to nongovernmental organizations with foreign connections, and make it easier to restrict press freedom and civil liberties.
1999, Russia had been attacked and bothered by a series of terrorist attack (the Chechens). And followed by the 911 incident in US, a series of terrorist attacks also occurred in Russia. The most serious terrorist attack was in September 1, 2004, when terrorist hold 1,000 children and family members into the gymnasium and made demands that were unacceptable. Since the terrorists had refused to provide the hostages with food and water, when the government successfully rescued the victims, it was three days later, and 300 people were dead already. These terrorist attacks did not weaken the power of the President, instead, giving Putin excuses to strengthen its power. After the terrorist attacks, Putin recentralized the political powers, making regional governments more dependent on the president. Furthermore, new legislation set obstacles to nongovernmental organizations with foreign connections, and make it easier to restrict press freedom and civil liberties.
Sources:
http://www.vebidoo.de/boris+yeltsinhttp://www.mhpbooks.com/joseph-stalins-scary-blue-pencil/
http://www.osundefender.org/?p=130607
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/29/world/russia-fast-facts/http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2013/10/31/putin-can-use-his-moral-high-ground-to-reset-relationshttp://www.fcuitx.com/yhplay/index18342.html?18342-0-0
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/russianrev/
http://www.osundefender.org/?p=130607
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/29/world/russia-fast-facts/http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2013/10/31/putin-can-use-his-moral-high-ground-to-reset-relationshttp://www.fcuitx.com/yhplay/index18342.html?18342-0-0
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/russianrev/