Russia: The Bolshevik Revolution<\/h5>\n
The Revolutions of February 1917<\/a> and October, 1917, brought about a seismic change in Russian politics. The Tsar abdicated in 1917<\/a>, giving way to a Provisional Government. A further Revolution saw the Bolsheviks seize control<\/a>. During the Civil War<\/a> that followed, the execution of the Romanov family was authorised and carried out in secret. With victory in the Civil War, Lenin and the Bolsheviks began a period of rule that was to last until 1991<\/a>.<\/p>\n Founded in 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union), was the first single party socialist state in the world. Policies were introduced<\/a> to speed up the process of creating Socialism. Agriculture was Collectivised. Industry became state controlled<\/a>. Opposition was censured, censored, oppressed, imprisoned or exterminated. A Cult of Personality<\/a> was fostered around the second Bolshevik leader, Joseph Stalin<\/a>. Great purges took place to rid society of any real or potential opponents.<\/p>\n Both Russian and Soviet states saw reformers<\/a> and reactionaries. They both endured long, bitterly contested wars. The government throughout all of this contended with the problems that the physical features and size of the nation(s) posed. People starved. Some, due to natural catastrophe. At times, due to the negligence or actual policy of government and\/or their officials. Life was often hard as a result<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tsarism and the Soviet state both went into decline<\/a>. Society<\/a>, Government and the Economy had weaknesses. These contributed to the fall of the Romanov’s and the End of the USSR<\/a>.<\/p>\n [table id=4 \/]<\/p>\n This consisted of a combination of Zemstvos and Dumas.<\/p>\n A Zemstvo was a district council. It was established to maintain and Following the 1905 Revolution<\/a>, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to accept Image – The Assembly Rooms of the Russian Duma.<\/em><\/p>\n Consequences:<\/strong><\/p>\n Russia is HUGE. It contains hundreds of different ethnic groups who liveThe USSR and Stalinism<\/h5>\n
![\"Joseph](\"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/stalin-cccp-300x204.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSociety in Russia and the Soviet Union<\/h5>\n
Decline, Revolution and Disintegration<\/h5>\n
Romanov Russia and the Soviet Union: Chronology<\/h5>\n
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\nMoscow<\/li>\n
\nand introduces some reforms<\/li>\n
\nprovisional government<\/li>\nTsarist System of Government<\/h5>\n
\nprovide roads, medicine and education within its area. The councils for
\nurban areas (towns) are sometimes called municipal dumas. These local
\ncouncils were elected by landowners, merchants and artisans. Power though,
\nwas held by an executive controlled by the Governor of the region – who
\nwas appointed by the Tsar.<\/p>\n![\"Speech](\"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Count_Kokovtsovs_speech_in_Duma.jpeg.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNational Government<\/h5>\n
\na State Duma. This was introduced alongside the October manifesto. This
\nsaid that Russian people should have freedom of speech, assembly and association
\nand that laws in Russia should be ratified (agreed) by the State Duma.
\nHowever the Tsar wanted to retain power for himself, and before the first
\nState Duma met, he introduced the Fundamental Laws which stated that the
\nTsar and his ministers had executive authority for matters relating to
\nthe law, the chruch and the Duma. He also insisted that he could dismiss
\nthe Duma and that decisions and laws made by the Duma had to be signed
\nby himself in order to become law.<\/p>\n![\"Photograph](\"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/700px-Tauride_duma-300x98.jpg\")
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\ndiscussion and debate but holds no real decision making power.<\/li>\n
\nhe wants to.<\/li>\nRussian Society and Geography<\/h5>\n
\nin hugely different environments. The Russian Empire stretched from modern
\nday Poland to the Pacific and from the arctic circle to Afghanistan. Russian
\nsociety reflected these massive differences.<\/p>\n
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Formation-of-Soviet-Union-300x185.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n