1.

What were factors contributing to the Russian Revolution on a political, economic, and
social level

Political
● The incompetent leadership of the Tsar to recognise that the Russian system of governance was failing
as a whole.
● The Tsar was negligent and did not prioritise the well being of the people but rather focused on his
family needs.
● The autocratic rule of the Tsar Nicholoas II.
● The Tsar failed to appoint competent and well-worked ministers but rather appointed those he favoured.
● The political oppression of the government by using secret police and censorship led to growing
frustration and lack of freedom of the people.
Economical
● Russia was far behind on industrialization compared to other regions in Europe,only 16% of the
population was working in industries.
● Within only 16% of the population working at factories , the working conditions were very poor and low
wages were received.
● The spread of the Marx ideas to create a communist society motivated the peasants to start riots and
protests to start inequality.
Social
● Massive class inequality creates a deep social division and injustice of human rights towards the poor.
● Frequent peasant unrest occuring due to the major destruction and inequality of Russia which was
frequently shut down by the secret police.
● The lack of formal education meant that only 4% of the population was literate.
● The loss of the World War led Russia into a deeper depression as massive casualties occurred and
death decreased the population.
● The loss of the war strained Russia's economy leading to food shortages, inflation and decreasing
standard of living.
● A huge portion of the population being poor as majority of the people were struggling peasants making
up 84% of the population.
2. What was the profound effect of industrialization and collectivization in Russia?

● The system of collectivisation introduced by Stalin caused strong resistance among the kulaks
which overall led to millions of kulaks being deported or killed.
● Millions of peasants died from hunger when their produce was taken from them due to
collectivisation.
● The first two five year plans transformed the economy into a modernised state, due increased
immigration from rural areas to cities.
● Quality of goods from industrialization was weak and production levels became extremely low
due to shortage of people possessing necessary skills to maintain production levels.
● There was increased forced labour within industrialisation causing high casualties.
● Increased labour discipline to meet production targets which was often at cost the wellbeing of
the people which was harsh punishments
● Technological advancements due to the improved transportation networks such as roads and
railways to support industrial activity created more travelling more efficiently.
● Collectivization resulted in famine due to poor planning of distribution of food and harsh policies
● Rural depopulation as the collectivisation was introduced many rural people turned to the urban
areas due to the hardships of collectivisation and strictness.
● Communism ideologies were enforced which eliminated class distinctions and created a more
equal society.
● Short term growth in industrialization and economic growth which assisted Russia in world war
2
● Long term issues of a low standard of living due to frequent due to emphasis on heavy industry
rather than consumer goods
● Increased centralization around Stalin's power due to the strengthened government control due
to policies which consolidate Stalin's power
3. What was the impact of war communism policy on Russia?

● The government forcibly requisitioned grain and other food products from peasants to feed urban
populations and the Red Army, often meeting with resistance.
● These policies, along with drought and the chaos of civil war, led to severe food shortages and
famines. The 1921-1922 famine was particularly devastating, resulting in millions of deaths.
● By 1921, industrial output had fallen to about 20% of its 1913 level, severely crippling the
economy.
● Agricultural production also plummeted, exacerbating food shortages and hunger.
● The Bolsheviks targeted wealthier peasants (kulaks) as class enemies who were not supportive
of communist ideas, leading to violent confrontations.
● War Communism centralised political and economic power in the hands of the Bolshevik Party,
strengthening the status and promoting their leadership
● The Cheka (secret police) were used extensively to eliminate counter-revolutionaries and enforce
loyalty to the regime which caused some severe casualties to those in opposition.
● The harsh policies provoked widespread discontent, leading to strikes, uprisings, and revolts
among the people
● Major industries, including factories, mines, and railways, were nationalised and placed under
state control.
● The sudden transition from private to state control led to significant disruptions. Many managers
and skilled workers were removed or fled, causing inefficiencies and reduced productivity.
4. The impact of the NEP: Did the New Economic Policy prove beneficial?

● The NEP allowed peasants to sell surplus produce on the open market after meeting state quotas. This
incentivized farmers to increase production, leading to a significant recovery in agricultural output.
● Peasants' economic conditions improved as they could now benefit from their labour, leading to a more
stable and productive agricultural sector.
● Small-scale industries and businesses were privatised, while the state retained control over large
industries, banks, and foreign trade which helped revive industrial production.
● The private sector, including small businesses and traders (NEPmen), flourished, contributing to
economic availability of consumer goods.
● The NEP period saw increased investment in infrastructure projects, including transportation and
communication networks, which facilitated economic growth and development.
● The NEP led to a more diverse and available range of consumer goods, improving living standards for
many Soviet citizens.
● Agricultural recovery under the NEP helped alleviate the severe food shortages and famines that
plagued the country during War Communism.
● Cities began to recover as industrial production increased and urban services improved.
● The NEP stabilized the economy, helping to consolidate Bolshevik power by reducing economic
discontent.
● While some Bolsheviks viewed the NEP as a necessary retreat from socialist principles, it was generally
accepted as a pragmatic solution to the economic crisis.
● The NEP generated ideological controversy within the Communist Party, with hardliners viewing it as a
betrayal of socialist principles and a concession to capitalism.
● Economic recovery was uneven, with significant disparities between the thriving private sector and the
lagging state-controlled heavy industries.
● The success of NEPmen and wealthier peasants (kulaks) led to new class tensions and social
inequalities, which were at odds with communist ideology.
 5. What was the impact of the 1905 revolution , the February and October revolutions in
Russia?

1905 Revolution
Causes:
● Widespread poverty, harsh working conditions, and economic inequality fueled discontent among
workers and peasants.
● The autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II, lack of political freedoms, and the influence of radical ideas.
Key Events:
● On January 22, 1905, peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon were fired upon by the Imperial Guard,
killing and wounding hundreds. This event triggered widespread strikes and uprisings.
● Throughout 1905, strikes, peasant uprisings, and mutinies in the armed forces destabilized the regime.
Impacts:
● The Tsar was forced to issue the October Manifesto, which promised civil liberties and the creation of a
State Duma (parliament). However, the Duma had limited powers and was often bypassed or dissolved
by the Tsar.
● Some political parties and trade unions were legalized, and censorship was eased, leading to a more
open political environment.
● The underlying social and economic grievances remained largely unaddressed, setting the stage for
future upheavals.

February Revolution (1917)

Causes:
● Military failures, high casualties, and severe shortages of food and fuel caused immense suffering and
discontent from WW1
● Inflation, food shortages, and strikes exacerbated public anger.
● The Tsarist regime's refusal to implement meaningful reforms and the incompetence of the government.
Key Events:
● In February 1917, protests and strikes in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) escalated into mass demonstrations.
● Soldiers in Petrograd joined the protesters, refusing to suppress the uprisings and instead siding with
the revolutionaries.
● Facing the collapse of his regime, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 2, 1917, ending centuries of
Romanov rule.
Impacts:
● A Provisional Government was established, led by liberal and socialist politicians, with the intention of
governing until a Constituent Assembly could be elected.
● Workers' and soldiers' councils (soviets) gained significant influence, creating a dual power structure
with the Provisional Government.
● The Provisional Government struggled to address key issues such as land reform, war policy, and
economic hardship, leading to ongoing instability and discontent.
October Revolution (1917)
Causes:
● Inability to withdraw from World War I, failure to address land reforms, and economic difficulties.
● The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, gained popular support with their promises of "peace, land, and bread"
and their opposition to the war.
● Increasing radicalism among workers, soldiers, and peasants, fueled by continued hardships and
disillusionment with the Provisional Government.
Key Events:
● Bolshevik Seizure of Power: On October 25-26, 1917 (Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks, with support
from the Petrograd Soviet, overthrew the Provisional Government in a coup.
● Storming of the Winter Palace where Bolshevik forces captured the government headquarters with
relatively little resistance.
Impacts:
● The Bolsheviks established a new government, the Council of People's Commissars (Sovnarkom), with
Lenin as its head.
● Withdrawal from World War I: The new Soviet government signed the Treaty with Germany in March
1918, ending Russia's participation in the war.
● The October Revolution led to a brutal civil war (1918-1921) between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and
the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks), along with various other factions.
● The Bolsheviks implemented radical changes, including land redistribution, nationalisation of industry,
and the suppression of political opposition.
 6. What was the impact of the 5 year plans on Russia ?

Economic Impact
● The Five-Year Plans prioritised heavy industries such as steel, coal, and machinery. As a result, industrial
output increased dramatically.
● Massive infrastructure projects were undertaken, including the construction of new factories, railways,
and power plants
● The focus on meeting quantitative targets often led to inefficiencies, poor quality of products, and
wastage. Factories would produce goods to meet quotas regardless of actual demand or quality
standards.
● Millions of small farms were consolidated into large collective farms (kolkhozes) and state farms
(sovkhozes). The goal was to increase agricultural productivity through mechanization and centralized
control.
● Collectivization faced significant resistance from peasants, leading to widespread disruption. The forced
collectivization and requisitioning of grain contributed to the catastrophic famine of 1932-1933.
Social Impact
● The Five-Year Plans led to a massive migration of people from rural areas to urban centers in search of
industrial jobs. This rapid urbanization changed the demographic landscape of the Soviet Union.
● The rapid influx of workers into cities led to overcrowded and inadequate housing conditions. Many
workers lived in communal apartments or temporary barracks.
● The state mobilized a large labor force, including women, to work in factories and on infrastructure
projects. Women entered the workforce in large numbers, contributing to gender shifts in employment.
● The use of forced labor, particularly from Gulag prisoners, became widespread. Millions of people were
subjected to harsh conditions in labor camps, contributing significantly to industrial and infrastructure
projects.
● The government invested heavily in technical education to produce skilled workers and engineers
needed for industrialization. Institutes and technical schools proliferated.
● Education also became a tool for propagating Soviet ideology and loyalty to the Communist Party.
Political Impact
● The implementation of the Five-Year Plans was closely linked to Stalin's consolidation of power. The
state exercised total control over the economy, suppressing any dissent.
● The plans were enforced with brutal repression. The purges of the 1930s targeted those deemed to be
saboteurs or enemies of the state, including engineers, managers, and party officials who failed to meet
production targets.
● The emphasis on heavy industry laid the foundation for a powerful military-industrial complex. By the
late 1930s, significant portions of industrial production were directed towards armaments, preparing the
Soviet Union for future military conflicts.
● By the onset of World War II, the Soviet Union had transformed from a primarily agrarian society into an
industrial powerhouse capable of sustaining prolonged military engagement.
● Despite industrial growth, there were significant disparities in the quality of life. Consumer goods
remained scarce, and the focus on heavy industry often came at the expense of the agricultural and
consumer sectors.
● The industrial base created by the Five-Year Plans was crucial in enabling the Soviet Union to withstand
and ultimately repel the Nazi invasion during World War II. The focus on heavy industry and
infrastructure proved vital for the war effort.