Social Classes of the Russian Revolution in 1917

Social hierarchies among the Russian society in 1917 were strongly present, often reflecting upon political and religious values. The hierarchy was designed to mock lower class Russian citizens, also redirecting the hierarchy to sustain it's power over land and social mobility as well.

The use of propaganda and art showed a distinct social divide among society. One piece in particular, "Russian Wedding Cake" was designed to show the upper class being able to stand on their own by smothering lower class citizens (taking away their land, legal codes, religious values, money, etc.).

However, looking at the social pyramid, we not only see the lower class being treated poorly, but also all the way up until the Orthodox church are their rights still limited. The only group in society at this time to have held power were known as the "Elite's"- the king, his family, and the aristocrats. 

In comparison to today's society, we certainly don't see such a divide like this (especially seeing the church and king/ruler on top). 

Lack of tending to the economy and it's people left many people in urban life to live in apartments with as many as up to 16 people, 6 people per room. (16 people being an average during the early 19th century in Moscow). "Unskilled peasants" were to replace workers in the city who were needed during the war. Demand for war supplies and workers lead to protests and riots. The lack of attention the lower class received during this time was not something ever expected for Moscow's people. 

Works Cited: 

http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/russian-society/ 
http://www.academia.edu/5046842/Social_and_economic_problems_in_Russia_from_1900_to_1917 

Russian Architecture During and Post Revolution

The Russian Revolution in 1917 not only brought a radical change in politics and daily life but also in Russian Architecture. Although these times brought a lot of pain and suffering to Russia, it changed the scope of architecture and building design forever. Most of the prominent and beautiful architecture known in Russia today was made far before the Russian Revolution, during the 16th and 18th centuries. 

During the early 1900’s Russia was playing catch up with the rapid urbanization and expansion taking place across Europe due to modernization. Unfortunately, this meant building as quickly as possible, in turn creating buildings that critics were soon to call formless and chaotic.

Shortly after the revolution itself, not much building took place as there was a large shortage of materials and almost no means of transportation. Instead of building new structures, Russians chose to make efforts towards unifying the current buildings in the light of the revolution. Architects worked closely with artists to further this idea, creating only small buildings such as kiosks and tribunes, used for propaganda. This was due to the changing reform to education for artist and architects, who now learned side by side in institutions such as VKHUTEMAS in Moscow. They aspired to build “utopian factions” and create art that would be influential across the world.

"festive decoration of a bridge" Vladimir Krinsky 

This was a strange time for Russia, as their country was still in many ways stuck in the perception that their country was psychologically and socially backwards and therefore much different than the rest of Western Europe. While most attempts at reform and modernization were met at a much slower pace than their neighbors, Russian architecture post revolution was taking a step in the right direction. During this time Russian design had finally began to evolve at a parallel with Western design. Using the combination of tradition and innovation, the post-Revolutionary Russian avant garde style had been born.

MoGES Power Plant, Moscow, Built 1926

Work Cited: 

Soviet Architecture. Vol. 1. Amsterdam: Art Unlimited Books, 1989.

The Royal Academy of Arts. Building the Revolution: Soviet Art and Architecture 1915-1935. London: The Royal Academy of Arts, 2011.

Brumfield, William C. The Origins of Modernism in Russian Architecture. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991.   

http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft1g5004bj;chunk.id=0;doc.view=print.

Politcal Events

There's a lot to know about political matters during the Revolution. Let's break it down to best understand how it happened, why it happened, and who was involved.

When did the Russian Revolution take place?
The revolution began March 8, 1917 and ended November 7, 1917.

Why did the Russian Revolution take place?
The revolution was a result of a series of long periods of times of unrest and repression. Only three years after WWI took place, rulers had been removed and replaced with little change to show for. Civilians were unhappy with the rule of the country led by Czar Nicolas, causing them to rebel and refuse to do their work.


People to know:

      Vlamir Lenin
-founder of Russian Communist Party
-leader of the 1917 revolution
-first head of the Soviet Union









      Czar Nicolas

-last czar of Russia
-he inherited the throne after the death of his father
-unprepared for the role, he was labeled  as an incompetent leader
-opposed to reform during a time of social and political change
-forced to abdicate in 1917

Timeline of Events

February 1917-  Another revolution begins as protests and strikes broke out.

March 1917-  Czar Nicolas tried to step down and pass the throne off to his brother, with no success. In the meantime, other Russians tried to form a temporary government.

July 1917- Vladmir Lenin tried to take control of the temporary government. After an unsuccessful attempt he was chased back into hiding.

October 1917- Vladmir Lenin was successful in taking over. He led the split political party of the Russian Social-Democrat Labor Party and took control of Russia.



Outcome of Revolution
The most significant outcome of the revolution was the fall of the Russian Empire. This in turn led to the beginning of socialism under Vladmir Lenin. This marked a new era for Russia, specifically with its political and economic relations.



Sources:

"Fact Monster: Online Almanac, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Homework Help." Fact Monster: Online Almanac, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Homework Help. Accessed November 22, 2016. http://www.factmonster.com/.

Russian Revolution

"History.com." History.com. Accessed November 22, 2016. http://www.history.com/.

Vladmir Lenin

"SoftSchools.com Provides Free Math Worksheets, Free Math Games, Grammar Quizzes, Free Phonics Worksheets, and Games. Worksheets and Games Are Organized by Grades and Topics. These Printable Math and Phonics Worksheets Are Auto Generated." Free Math Worksheets, Free Phonics Worksheets, Math Games and Online Activities and Quizzes. Accessed November 22, 2016. http://softschools.com/.

Russian Revolution Timeline

Leisure and Social Activity, Abigail Walouke

In the days of the Moscow Russian Revolution of 1917, it was rough to see what social and leisure activities were like because most people were too busy digging trenches in the streets and building barricades throughout alley ways and in front of stores and institutions.  Life for civilians, especially those in poverty were more deadly and violent then most poverish situations.

There were two revolutions in 1917.  One in February and one in October.  These are few of many revolutions in the past many many years Russia has faced.

Civilians suffered from poor working conditions, the poor were treated very harshly, food shortages was horrible and the government tried their best to work around the poor without even a glance.  But soon, awareness grew for the poverish people of Moscow and the people would no longer stand for it.

On February 23, 1917, because of it was the International Womens Day Festival, female workers protested by leaving their jobs at the factories.  The following day of the protest, the population of Moscow's workers dropped dramatically including male workers who began protesting as well.

During this time, the social status divide was so bad, it was compared on radios and television across Europe to the Ancient Egyptians.  The poor and wealthy lived in fear of a mass genocide like the Revolution in 1905. Propaganda was produced by the government to publicize on televisions and radios with historical figures to "inspire" the people not to bring up another revolution because bad things will happen like the Revolution in 1905.  (Practically threatening the people.) Of course that did not work.

“Situation serious. There is anarchy in the capital. Government paralysed. Transport of food and fuel completely disorganized. Public disaffection growing. On the streets, chaotic shooting. Army units fire at each other. It is essential at once to entrust a person enjoying the country’s confidence with the formation of a new government. There should be no delay. All delay is death.”

Mikhail Rodziano, telegram of February 1917

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoHLEgxXlNg

Works Cited

"1917 Russian Revolution." 1917 Russian Revolution. Accessed November 14, 2016. http://www.local-life.com/st-petersburg/articles/1917-russian-revolution.

"February Revolution Quotations." Russian Revolution Quotes. 2015. Accessed November 14, 2016. http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/russian-revolution-quotations/.

Shlapentokh, Dmitry. "The Image of the Russian Revolution." The Image Of The Russian Revolution On Russian TV: 289-98. EBSCOhost.

Team. "Moscow Destroyed By the Revolution." English Russia. February 13, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2016. http://englishrussia.com/2013/02/13/moscow-destroyed-by-the-revolution/.