Russian Revolution

Definition

The Russian Revolution refers to a series of events that took place in 1917, leading to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a communist government in Russia. This monumental shift not only altered the political landscape of Russia but also had significant implications for literary movements, especially Russian Formalism, which emerged as a response to the radical changes in society and culture following the revolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Russian Revolution consisted of two major events: the February Revolution, which resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and the October Revolution, where the Bolsheviks took control.
2. The revolution was fueled by widespread discontent with food shortages, military defeats in World War I, and a growing desire for political reform among various social classes.
3. The aftermath of the revolution led to significant changes in literary expression, as writers sought to respond to and reflect the new socio-political realities.
4. Russian Formalism arose partly as a reaction to the changes initiated by the revolution, focusing on the formal properties of literature rather than its content or context.
5. The revolution set off a wave of revolutionary movements across Europe and beyond, influencing global politics and artistic movements well into the 20th century.

Review Questions

• How did the Russian Revolution influence literary movements like Russian Formalism?
  • The Russian Revolution had a profound impact on literary movements such as Russian Formalism by changing the focus of literature from traditional narratives and themes to formal aspects of text. As writers sought new ways to express their experiences in a transformed society, Formalism emerged emphasizing techniques like structure, style, and language over ideological content. This shift allowed literature to become a tool for exploring and understanding the complexities of post-revolutionary life.
• Evaluate the role of Tsar Nicholas II's abdication in shaping the events of 1917 and its aftermath.
  • Tsar Nicholas II's abdication during the February Revolution was pivotal because it marked the end of over three centuries of Romanov rule and led to a power vacuum that precipitated further upheaval. This absence of strong leadership allowed for the rise of radical groups like the Bolsheviks who capitalized on public discontent. The provisional government's inability to address key issues ultimately set the stage for the October Revolution, cementing revolutionary change in Russia.
• Analyze how socio-economic factors contributed to the emergence of Russian Formalism after the revolution.
  • The socio-economic turmoil following the Russian Revolution created an environment ripe for new literary theories like Russian Formalism to develop. As society underwent radical transformations with economic instability and class struggle, writers began questioning traditional narratives and explored literature’s formal aspects as a means to understand and critique their new reality. This led to an emphasis on technique over content, allowing artists to navigate complex social dynamics through innovative literary forms that reflected their changed circumstances.

Related terms

Bolsheviks: A faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that, under Lenin's leadership, seized power during the October Revolution, advocating for a radical socialist transformation of society.

Tsar Nicholas II: The last Emperor of Russia whose reign saw immense social unrest, culminating in his abdication during the February Revolution of 1917, paving the way for the Bolshevik takeover.

October Revolution: A key phase of the Russian Revolution where the Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government in October 1917, leading to the establishment of a Soviet government and subsequent civil war.