4.1.7 Emergence of Communism in Russia

4.1.7 Emergence of Communism in Russia

Russia was the largest country in the world, with a diverse geography, resources and cultures. It had been ruled by absolute monarchs and the Russian aristocracy for centuries. Most Russians were illiterate peasants who could not vote. Historically, most Russians had been serfs, labourers who were forced to work in the homes and fields of landowners in return for their protection. They had little or no income, few legal rights, and, therefore, little power over their own lives. Russia had not industrialized at the same rate as other European nations, and wealth was very unevenly distributed. In the mid-nineteenth century, the empire of the Romanov family comprised more than one-sixth of the earth's surface. It was a "whole world, self-sufficient, independent, and absolute" with the greatest wealth in Europe. Czar (sometimes spelled Tsar or Tzar) Nicholas II opposed Western ideas, including democratization.

Emancipation of the Serfs

In 1861, a huge liberal reform occurred with the emancipation of the serfs. Twenty-three million serfs were given the rights of citizens, including the right to marry without the consent of the landowner, the right to own property, and the right to own a business. Peasants who had been field workers could buy land from the landlords; household serfs gained their freedom but no land. However, this change was not entirely successful because many freed serfs could not afford to buy enough land that would feed their families. They borrowed money to buy land, and their loan payments were far more than they could afford.

Russian Revolution of 1905

Failure of Democratic Reforms

The first Duma lasted for only ten weeks. The second Duma was composed of Social Democrats, Social Revolutionaries, and members of the right wing. Accused by the Prime Minister of plotting an armed overthrow of the Czar, the second Duma was dissolved quickly. New rules that gave greater power to landowners ensured that the rich had greater control, so the unrepresentative Third Duma lasted for its full five years.

World War I began in 1914, causing more problems for the Russian people. Food shortages, strikes by workers, and huge losses in the war all caused great anger towards the Czar. As in other industrializing countries, many farm workers had moved to the cities, resulting in a large urban labour force, many of whom were unemployed and starving. There was also a growing class of business people and professionals. These people were influenced increasingly by new and revolutionary political ideas.

Provisional Government

The Fourth Duma agreed to suspend its operation for the duration of World War I, but its members became increasingly unhappy with the way the Czar and the military were handling national affairs. The February Revolution of 1917 led to the abdication of the Czar and the formation of the Russian Republic. Its government was called the Provisional Government, also sometimes known as the Kerensky Government after its leader, a prominent socialist.

Although most Russians wanted to see Russia withdraw immediately from the war, it launched a new offensive instead, weakening its public support. The government was victim of a power struggle between left and right. Economic chaos added to the problems. Production decreased, industries shut down, the cost of living increased, and there was mass unemployment. Many of those who still had jobs went on strike. Foreign debt skyrocketed, and the country was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Russian Revolution 1917

By the fall of 1917, thousands of peasant uprisings were directed against landowners and attempts to punish the rioters enraged them more. Soldiers and sailors declared they no longer recognized the authority of the Provisional Government and refused to follow orders. The October Revolution of 1917 saw Lenin's Bolsheviks take power and a civil war followed from 1917 to 1922. It ended with the formation of the Soviet Union.

During this time of turmoil, revolutionary groups assassinated political leaders and civil servants, and the government responded by executing those they thought were responsible. More than 10 000 people were assassinated or executed. The failure of capitalism and one unsuccessful parliament after another led the Russian people to consider other ideological perspectives.

Communism emerged in the Soviet Union partly as a rejection of liberalism but also as a rejection of a capitalist system based on hereditary wealth and power in which the average citizen was poor, owned very little property, and had little or no autonomy. One Duma after another, followed by the more democratic Provisional Government, showed the people that parliamentary democracy was ineffective and would not bring about any real change.

Lenin and Leninist Thought

How the communists developed their support base

Russia was a huge and mostly rural country with a limited communications network and a high rate of illiteracy. How did the communist government reach the masses to deliver its message about the promise of a socialist state? The communist government used visual images to reach the general population with a number of simple messages. These simple, colourful posters achieved several goals.

To consolidate power, the government identified the enemies of communism, provided educational messages about hygiene, health care, and agricultural production, and encouraged solidarity and support for the communist party. Through these posters, the communists encouraged the peasants and factory workers to support the communist movement and its promise for a fairer world.   See sample posters and their messages here.