3.3 Russia, 1905–41
📚 Depth Study: Russia 1905–1941
Background & Causes
Think of Russia in the early 1900s as a giant, old tree that has been growing for centuries. The tree’s roots (the autocracy of the Tsar) are deep, but the soil (the economy, social structure) is cracking. The 1905 Revolution was the first big storm that shook the tree’s bark.
- 📈 Rapid industrialisation created a new working class.
- ⚖️ Inequality: peasants held little land, workers faced long hours.
- 🗳️ Political repression – no real political representation.
- 🌍 Influence of European ideas of democracy and socialism.
Key Events (Timeline)
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1905 | First Revolution – Bloody Sunday, creation of the Duma. |
| 1914–1918 | World War I strains the economy, fuels unrest. |
| 1917 | February Revolution – Tsar abdicates; October Revolution – Bolsheviks seize power. |
| 1922 | Formation of the USSR. |
| 1930s | Collectivisation and industrialisation under Stalin. |
| 1941 | Germany invades the USSR – Operation Barbarossa. |
Political Changes
After 1917, Russia transformed from a monarchy to a socialist state. Imagine a school that suddenly changes its rules: the headmaster (the Tsar) is replaced by a council (the Bolsheviks). The new rules focus on equality, but also on strict control.
- 📜 Abolition of the monarchy.
- 🔧 Establishment of the Soviet system – workers’ councils (soviets).
- 🛠️ Centralised planning – the state decides what to produce.
- 🚨 Repression of opposition – Red Terror, purges.
Social & Economic Impact
Think of the economy like a garden. Before 1917, only a few gardeners (the aristocracy) had the best tools. After the revolution, the garden was reorganised: plots were redistributed, but the new gardeners (the state) often overwatered or underwatered the plants.
- 🌾 Collectivisation: peasants’ land became collective farms.
- 🏭 Rapid industrialisation: factories sprouted, especially in the north.
- ⚖️ Inequality reduced in theory, but shortages and famine (e.g., 1932–33) caused suffering.
- 👥 Urban migration: millions moved to cities, creating new social dynamics.
Exam Tips for 3.3 Russia 1905–1941
Remember:
- ??? Use key dates: 1905, 1917, 1922, 1930s, 1941.
- 🔍 Identify causes and effects – link social, economic, political factors.
- 🗣️ Mention key figures: Tsar Nicholas II, Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Hitler.
- 📚 Use primary sources where possible – quotes, slogans, propaganda.
- 📏 Keep answers concise but evidence‑based; use bullet points for clarity.
Example structure for a short answer:
- Introduction – brief context.
- Body – chronological order with causes/effects.
- Conclusion – overall impact on Russia and the world.
Revision
Log in to practice.