To what extent did the rise of the Soviet Union impact the Russian people and the entire world as a whole?
By cola041
-
Thesis
Communism had one of the greatest political impacts in the entire world and was crucial for shaping our world. Russia was the first country to ever prove the communist systems failure in an attempt to escape a divided social standard. The experiment started off by Vladimir Lenin cost the lives of millions, however, they were crucial to the victory of WWII. Overall, the effects were extremely negative, but it can be argued that this spark of events was necessary for history to play its course. -
Russia Enters World War I
In August of 1914, Russia entered WWI in support of the French and British allies. In time, there involvement in the war proved to be disastrous for the Russian people. Russia Sustained more casualties than any other country at the time, including the Germans. In addition, Russia faced famine and lack of fuel which caused inflation and destroyed the Russian economy. -
The February Revolution
Following the war, Russia faced the February revolution (which began February 23 according to the Julian calendar). The results of WWI caused despair and famine drove people to the streets supported by thousands of striking workers who were literally unable to live. The police, though they opened fire and killed many, were unable to control the crowds leading to CzarNicolas's abdication. After centuries of rue, the Romanov one was once and for all ended with a provisional government. -
Bolshevik Revolution
Often referred to as the October Revolution (as a result of the Julian calendar which placed it in October), November 6 and 7 1917 marked when the leftist Bolshevik party overtook the provisional government with Vlademir Lenin as its party leader. Because the provisional government was powered by the Bourgeois of the population and essentially got nothing done, instead, the bolshevik party would be lead by a mix of social classes with Lenin becoming the worlds first communist dictator. -
Russian Civil War Begins
The Russian Civil War broke out directly after the Bolshevik Revolution with the two opposing sides being the Red and White Armies. The Red Army represented the Bolshevik Party and Lenin while the White army was composed of supporters of democratic socialism. -
Assassination of the Romanov Family
After being imprisoned and transported multiple times throughout Russia post Czar Nicolas's abdication, they were kept in a house in Yekaterinburg. On the night of July 17, 1918 they were moved to the basement, tied to chairs, and brutally assassinated through gunshots by 12 soldiers and then stabbed if suspected of living. -
Russian Civil War Ends
The War ultimately came to a close in 1922 with a victory for Lenin Red Army, establishing the threat and power which a communist government poses. This eventually led to the Red Scare which was seen on a global scale. -
Death of Vladimir Lenin and Rise of Stalin
On the evening January 21, the great leader of the U.S.S.R. passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage. Joseph Stalin who was on the members of the SovietUnions Central Committee rose to power taking Lenin's place however to do so he had to over throw Trotsky, which by no means was an easy task. With the help of fellow committee members Zinoviev and Kamenev, whom Stalin later betrayed, he overthrew Trotsky. Stalin became arguably an even more cruel ruler with The Great Terror. -
Period: to
The Great Terror
On this day Sergei Kirov was (allegedly) murdered by Leonid Nikolaev. This was all that Stalin needed in order to spark his reign of terror. Over the span of these years, Stalin exterminated opposing members of his rule and executed approximately 750,000 people. in addition, he exiled over 1,000,000 people to Gulags or labor camps. The effects of these purges were felt in the country long after Stalins demise. -
Period: to
The Cold War
The Cold War was a prolonged conflict between The USSR and the United Staes of America during the 19th century. The essential issue was that the soviets wanted to spread Communism and the Americans capitalism so with this began the Space Race, the Arms Race, and a lot of competition. Though not one person was killed directly because of this conflict, there were events that left both sides on the verge of war such as the Berlin Blockade and the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
The Death of Stalin and the Rise of Nikita Krushchev
When Joseph Stalin died, the USSR was at a loss. Eventually Georgi Malenkov was picked to be leader of the superpower. Even so, another party member, Nikita Krushchev had a constant power struggle with Malenkov until eventually he resigned his shrt term as dictator and replaced by Krushchev. Kurshchev however was a much more docile and peaceful leader calling for "peaceful coexistence" with the United States. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier between East and West Berlin (West being controlled by Allies and East by the Soviets). 171 people were killed in an attempt to cross the all as it was heavily guarded by militants. The wall was created in 1961 in order to prevent refugees fleeing from east to West. The fall of the wall marked the end of an almost 50 year conflict and was seen as the beginning of a new era.
