Unit II: Revolutionary Russia and the International Order
Table of Contents
This unit explores the rise of the first socialist state and the subsequent attempts by the international community to organize a collective security system to prevent future global wars.
1. The Russian Revolution of 1917
The Russian Revolution was a series of two revolutions that ended centuries of Imperial rule and led to the creation of the Soviet Union.
Stages of the Revolution
- February Revolution: Spontaneous strikes in Petrograd led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and the formation of a Provisional Government.
- October Revolution (Bolshevik Revolution): Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government, promising "Peace, Land, and Bread."
Consequences
- Withdrawal from WWI: Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany.
- Civil War: A struggle between the "Reds" (Bolsheviks) and "Whites" (monarchists/anti-communists).
- Abolition of Private Property: Nationalization of industries and banks.
2. The League of Nations
Proposed by Woodrow Wilson, the League was the first global institution dedicated to maintaining peace through "Collective Security."
Structure
- The Assembly: All member nations (Debating body).
- The Council: Permanent and non-permanent members (Executive body).
- The Secretariat: Administrative staff.
Why it Failed?
- U.S. Absence: The United States Senate refused to join, depriving the League of major financial and military backing.
- Lack of Enforcement: The League had no army; it relied on moral condemnation or economic sanctions.
- Aggression by Powers: Failed to stop Japan in Manchuria (1931) and Italy in Abyssinia (1935).
3. The Mandate System
This system was a compromise to manage the former colonies of Germany and the Ottoman Empire without outright annexation by the victors.
| Class | Status | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Almost ready for independence. | Palestine, Iraq, Syria |
| Class B | Require long-term supervision. | Togo, Cameroon |
| Class C | Administered as integral parts of the Mandatory power. | South West Africa |
4. The French Quest for Security
France, having been invaded twice by Germany within 50 years, sought legal and military guarantees to prevent a third invasion.
Key Diplomatic Pacts
- Locarno Pact (1925): Germany, France, and Belgium agreed to respect their mutual borders. It brought a brief "Spirit of Locarno" (peaceful hope).
- Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): A "war-outlawing" pact signed by 65 nations promising to solve disputes through peaceful means.
- Defensive Alliances: France built a "Little Entente" with Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
5. Exam Corner
Exam Tip: Always mention the Locarno Pact when discussing 1920s diplomacy; it was the high-water mark of post-war cooperation before the 1929 Depression hit.
FAQs
- Why did Russia leave WWI? Due to internal collapse and the Bolshevik promise to end the war at any cost.
- Was the Kellogg-Briand Pact effective? No, because it had no mechanism to punish those who broke the promise of peace.