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What are the factors that led to the Russian Revolution of 1917? Discuss its consequences.
The Russian Revolution was a major political event in Russia's history that shaped the country as we see it. This political upbringing marked the end of a 300 year domineering reign of the House of Romanov over the nation. The revolution also served as a pathway for the formation of the first socialRead more
The Russian Revolution was a major political event in Russia’s history that shaped the country as we see it. This political upbringing marked the end of a 300 year domineering reign of the House of Romanov over the nation. The revolution also served as a pathway for the formation of the first socialist nation, the Soviet Union. The factors that led to the upheavel are as follows :
Economic and Political differences between Russia and rest of Europe :
While nations such as the Great Britain and France offered liberty and equality along with satisfactory humanitarian conditions to the populace, Russia was being viewed as an impoverished and a backwards society by the entire continent.
Shortage of food and lack of basic amenities :
A harsh growing season for the serfs accompanied with a population boom in the 1900s resulted in a shortage of food which angered the serfs toiling for hours on the fields of their landlords. Food was scarce, and the devastated economy
Excess Military expenditure :
The war against Japan and growing military tensions on the west end resulted in excess provisions being exhausted on the army. Russia had to deal with heavy losses of soldiers, numerous ships, reputation of the army and monetary losses.
The Industrial Revolution :
The Industrial Revolution also played a key role in initiating the Russian Revolution. The workers, toiling in harsh conditions, had a mass development of conciousness which sparked the revolution.
The consequences of the above said issues were as follows :
Retreating from the first global conflict :
Russia had faced immense damage on the defense front. In 1918, Russia withdrew from the World War 1 for good.
Bolsheviks coming into power :
The Bolshevik Party, later known as the Communist Party under Vladimir Lenin, forced its way into power. Secret police to enforce Lenin’s government was established.
Re-building the economy :
The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in the 1921. Main focus was given to the production of food for the commoners. It also focused on lowering the ever increasing inflation of the nation.
Civil War :
The nation saw another conflict right after the revolution. The civil war, 1918-1920 was fought by the “Reds” (Bolsheviks) and the “Whites” (Non-Bolsheviks) because of the acceptance of exceedingly shameful terms in the treaty of Brest-Liyovsk.
See lessAnalyze the causes behind the collapse of the Soviet Union and its impact on the contemporary world order.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was caused by a collection of internal and external factors. It marked the end of the Cold War, which lasted about 45 years. The emergence of new independent states from the former parts of Soviet Union reshaped geopolitical dynamics, particularly in CentealRead more
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was caused by a collection of internal and external factors. It marked the end of the Cold War, which lasted about 45 years. The emergence of new independent states from the former parts of Soviet Union reshaped geopolitical dynamics, particularly in Centeal Asia and Eastern Europe.
Internal Factors
Glasnost and Perestroika:
Mikhail Gorbachev‘s policies of greater openness and transparency in Government(‘Glasnost’) and economic restructuring (‘Perestroika’) were meant to modernize the Soviet Union but inadvertently led to demands for greater freedom and criticisms of the Communist system.
Insufficient Central Planning :
The Soviet economy was centrally planned, meaning decisions about production, investment, and resource allocation were made by government agencies rather than market forces. This led to a large and cumbersome bureaucracy that often hindered efficient decision-making.
Focus on Heavy Industry Over Consumer Goods :
The consumer goods that were produced often suffered from poor quality due to the emphasis on quantity over quality and the lack of competition to drive improvements.
Burden of military expenditure :
A significant portion of the Soviet budget was allocated to military spending, driven by the Cold War arms race with the United States and the desire to maintain a vast military presence globally.
External Factors
Arms Race and Cold War Tensions :
The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States was marked by an intense arms race, where both superpowers sought to outdo each other in nuclear weapons and other military technologies. This competition required enormous financial and material resources.
Economic Burden of Military Presence :
The Soviet Union maintained a vast military presence, not only within its own borders but also through alliances and interventions in countries around the world, such as Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and various client states in Africa and Asia.
Impact on Soviet Influence and Stability :
The combination of economic hardship, military overreach, and the success of democratic movements in Eastern Europe led to a gradual erosion of Soviet control. The Soviet leadership struggled to maintain authority both domestically and over its satellite states.
Impact on the Contemporary World Order
The dissolution of the Soviet Union had profound effects on the contemporary world order. It marked the end of the Cold War, leading to the unipolar dominance of the United States. The emergence of new independent states from the former Soviet republics reshaped geopolitical dynamics, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. NATO and the European Union expanded eastward, incorporating former Warsaw Pact members. Economically, the transition from communism to capitalism in these regions was often tumultuous, leading to significant social and economic challenges. The collapse also paved the way for the rise of China as a global power, as it adopted market-oriented reforms while maintaining a single-party system. The legacy of the Soviet Union continues to influence global politics, particularly in relations between Russia and the West.
See lessDefine volcanic hotspots and expound upon their key characteristics.
Volcanic hotspots are regions of the Earth's mantle where heat rises in a plume from deep within the Earth. These plumes of hot mantle material are unusually hot compared to the surrounding mantle, and they can cause partial melting of the mantle and the overlying crust, leading to volcanic activityRead more
Volcanic hotspots are regions of the Earth’s mantle where heat rises in a plume from deep within the Earth. These plumes of hot mantle material are unusually hot compared to the surrounding mantle, and they can cause partial melting of the mantle and the overlying crust, leading to volcanic activity at the Earth’s surface.
Key Characteristics
Persistent Activity :
Hotspots can remain active for millions of years, leading to long-lasting volcanic activity. The Hawaiian hotspot has been active for at least 70 million years.
Location :
Hotspots are typically located away from plate boundaries, though some can be near or even at boundaries.
Mantle Plumes :
The heat source for hotspots is mantle plumes, which are columns of hot, solid material that rise from deep within the mantle, possibly from the core-mantle boundary.
Age Progression of Volcanic Islands :
As tectonic plates move over stationary hotspots, a chain of volcanic islands or seamounts can form. The age of the islands increases with distance from the current location of the hotspot.
Volcanic Products :
The volcanic activity at hotspots can produce various volcanic products. The composition of these products can vary.
See less