Communism and the March Revolution
- With the poor leadership of Tsar Nicholas II, many revolutionary groups formed. All wanted
rapid change (revolution) brought about by overthrowing the Tsar.
- Most of these groups followed the teachings of Karl Marx, a German philosopher who wrote
several books including “The Communist Manifesto” which was the blueprint for communism.
- Marx believed that society was a series of struggles between the wealthy ruling class
(bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). He believed that eventually the proletariat,
through revolution, would overthrow the ruling class and a system would be created where all
classes were equal and a government would not be necessary.
- Marx believed that this revolution would first happen in an industrialized society such as
Germany.
- Followers of Marx argued over what was necessary to achieve their goals. Below is a
comparison of the two main groups:
Bolsheviks Mensheviks - --
- wanted to remove the Tsar from power. - wanted to remove the Tsar from power.
- wanted a revolution without help from - wanted a revolution with help from
middle class. middle class.
- led by small group of educated people. -led by middle class educated people.
- advocated the use of violence. -opposed the use of violence.
- Not everyone followed Marx and not everyone wanted to get rid of the Tsar. Other less radical
groups wanted to reform Russia’s education, economy, and political systems and introduce a
parliamentary democracy. Many men in the Duma had this belief. They were called
Constitutional Democrats or Cadets.
-Every party wanted a change in Russia but their aims were different which led to conflicts
between parties
The March Revolution
- On March 7 in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), 20,000 steel workers went on strike. They were
joined by 90,000 other workers and civilians who protested the shortage of food and fuel. Many
- With the poor leadership of Tsar Nicholas II, many revolutionary groups formed. All wanted
rapid change (revolution) brought about by overthrowing the Tsar.
- Most of these groups followed the teachings of Karl Marx, a German philosopher who wrote
several books including “The Communist Manifesto” which was the blueprint for communism.
- Marx believed that society was a series of struggles between the wealthy ruling class
(bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). He believed that eventually the proletariat,
through revolution, would overthrow the ruling class and a system would be created where all
classes were equal and a government would not be necessary.
- Marx believed that this revolution would first happen in an industrialized society such as
Germany.
- Followers of Marx argued over what was necessary to achieve their goals. Below is a
comparison of the two main groups:
Bolsheviks Mensheviks - --
- wanted to remove the Tsar from power. - wanted to remove the Tsar from power.
- wanted a revolution without help from - wanted a revolution with help from
middle class. middle class.
- led by small group of educated people. -led by middle class educated people.
- advocated the use of violence. -opposed the use of violence.
- Not everyone followed Marx and not everyone wanted to get rid of the Tsar. Other less radical
groups wanted to reform Russia’s education, economy, and political systems and introduce a
parliamentary democracy. Many men in the Duma had this belief. They were called
Constitutional Democrats or Cadets.
-Every party wanted a change in Russia but their aims were different which led to conflicts
between parties
The March Revolution
- On March 7 in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), 20,000 steel workers went on strike. They were
joined by 90,000 other workers and civilians who protested the shortage of food and fuel. Many
