What is Communism?
Communism is an economic system with equal income distribution. That is is the ideological sense. Even Lenin had to let some capitalism in to help add some industry. Due to the little drive to work when everyone one gets what's equal, communism, unlike full-fledged socialism (communism's sister) forces people to work. Communist ideology views social classes in two groups, the small group known as the bourgeoisie, who are the few that benefit, and benefit greatly. The other group is the proletariat, which works for the bourgeoisie and is oppressed by them and gets little compensation for the hard work and labor they do. In an ideological communist society, the proletariat is in a dictatorial position because since the proletariat is made up of the workers, they would know exactly what to do. Key Communists and Terms -Mao Zedong -Josef Stalin-Vladimir Lenin -Kim Jong Un -Karl Marx -Equality -Proletariat Importance to the Russian Revolution The czars had a dynastic rule in Russia for a long time. Tsar Alexander III was an autocratic ruler, same with his successor, Nicholas II. An autocracy maintains full power over the lives of everyday people. Russians were 4/5 peasants as they were still under the outdated Feudalistic system. They still had serfs and lords. The Rapid Industrialism period in Russia from 1863 to 1900 doubled the number of factories. Even with all the success Russia still lagged behind Western Europe. The people also experienced the oppression and harsh conditions of Industrialism. The factory work was back-breaking and received little pay. Russia also had it's morale lost when it lost to Japan in the Russo-Japanese War, and when Russia suffered being mowed down by Germans due to a lack of proper equipment in World War One. Talks of a new idea by Karl Marx of Communism spread between the oppressed workers. They protested in 1905 for a better government and were massacred, even though they were unarmed. Again in 1917, they protested, even the soldiers meant to shoot them sided with them. The Czar decided to share power with an elected Legislative Duma that lasted for ten weeks. He cancelled it because he wanted all the power to himself. He was then abdicated and the Duma took control. The Duma planned to stay in World War One, so that failed. People then formed Soviets to share wealth with a Marxist ideology. The Marxist Bolsheviks won the support of the people and fought in a civil war against the White army Bolsheviks who opposed communism. Towards the end of the war, the Communists took power establishing the Soviet Union. |
What is a Provisional Government?
A provisional government is a government made in the time of emergency. This is usually after a change in government from a revolution. Provisional governments usually don't last that long and get taken over by another one that might be longer lasting and more successful. The government usually tries to get to a new form of government idealistically, but is in its beginning stages. It is usually one party. Provisional Governments and Their Leaders -US government under the Articles of Confederation -Flensburg Government -Free France -Vichy France -Legislative Assembly -Republic of China -Duma Government in Russia -Alexander Kerensky -Jiang Jieshi/Chiang Kai-Shek -Sun Yat-Sen Importance to the Russian Revolution After the Tsar was abdicated, Russia needed a new government. The Duma which was cancelled by the Czar because he didn't want to share his power. The Duma was reinforced as a provisional government. It was led by Alexander Kerensky. He decided to keep fighting in World War One. Everyone was outraged. Soviets were already forming to share income and supplies. The Soviets had more influence than the actual government at times. The Bolshevik communists gained support with Lenin's slogan, "Peace, Land, and Bread." The provisional government soon fell to the Red Army Soviets, and like many others, it was ineffective and lacked power. |