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Modern European Revolutions: Review. From 1917 to 1989. Russian Revolution, 1917-1921. Historical background: Tsarist state which was slow to modernize politically and economically. Late 19 th century: Rise of revolutionary movements on the left ( Narodniki , Nihilists, Socialists)
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Modern European Revolutions: Review From 1917 to 1989
Russian Revolution, 1917-1921 • Historical background: Tsarist state which was slow to modernize politically and economically. • Late 19th century: Rise of revolutionary movements on the left (Narodniki, Nihilists, Socialists) • Flaws of ruling system: Government does not respond effectively to crises it faces, e.g., Russo-Japanese war, 1904-05, Russian Revolution of 1905)
Russian Revolution, cont. • Opponents of the regime on the left: Marxist factions (Bolsheviks and Mensheviks); Agrarian socialists (SRs); Anarchists. • Failure of Liberalism: Octobrists and Kadets (Duma, parliamentary road to reform and change?) • Final crisis: First World War and the collapse of Tsarist regime, 1917.
Russian Revolution, cont. • Revolutionary events of 1917: Provisional government, Soviets (dual power-sharing), the role of crowds • Fatal flaws of Provisional Government: opposition from the right (Kornilov) and left (Bolsheviks, etc.) • October Revolution of 1917 (Rise of Bolshevism)
Russian Revolution, cont. • Civil War and Revolution, 1918-1921 • “Reds” vs. “Whites”: Who fought whom? And why? • Triumph of the Communists: What did the revolution achieve?
POINTS TO CONSIDER: • Ideological content of revolutionary movements on the left. • Role of gender/crowds • Phases of revolution: Liberal democratic , radical transformation accompanied by bloodshed/violence. • Accomplishments of revolutionaries: Vision of new society, new social and economic forms (art, collective enterprises, media…)
Spanish Civil War and Revolution • Historical background: From dictatorship (1923-1930) to Second Republic (1931-1936). • Political factions on left and right • Breakdown of democracy
Spanish Civil War and Revolution • July rebellion and popular revolution • Examples of revolutionary events: Collectivization projects, transforming the urban and rural landscapes (revolutionary cultural, economic, and political forms) • International intervention
Spanish Civil War and Revolution • Opposing sides: “Nationalists” vs. “Republicans” • Course of war: Major battles and contrasting conditions of war-time society in Nationalist and Republican zones.
Points to consider • Ideological content of revolutionary factions on the left (anarchosyndicalists, etc.) • Examples of revolutionary behavior: collectives, dress codes, gender relations, people power. • Limits imposed on revolution
Points to consider, cont. • Accomplishments of revolution: empowering peasants and workers, establishing examples of self-rule/control over key elements of society and economy. • Why revolution failed: shortcomings of revolutionary strategy and tactics; role of counter-revolutionary forces on the left; military superiority of Nationalists.
Revolutions of 1989 • How had revolutionary model which emerged under the Bolsheviks in 1917-1921 changed over the course of the 20th century? • Why were communist regimes established after 1945 non-revolutionary? • How would you characterize the “revolutionary” forces which eroded communist rule between 1945 and 1989?
Revolutions of 1989 • What general circumstances gave rise to the collapse of communism in 1989: economic conditions, rigidity of communist state systems, persistence of nationalism, pressures/influences from liberal west. • Examples of “liberal” revolutions of 1989
Revolutions of 1989 • How were the European revolutions of 1989 related to previous revolutions of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries?