A perspective view : Did the Bolshevik Revolution improve the condition of Soviet women ?
The Russian Revolution was one of the most legendary landmark in the world history and it was also a great turning point in the history of humanity’s struggle against feudalism , human suppression , ruthless despotism and unending serfdom . It marked the beginning of Marxist - Leninist or scientific socialist or communist governments throughout the world . The great Russian revolution was not a singular revolution or movement . It started with many violent skirmishes and protests against the conservative Russian monarchy chronologically spreading over a decade since 1904 . However revolutionary ideologies , awareness and wide -spread popular sentiment for an end to the rule of the monarchy and establishment of a democratically elected government were swirling like a whirlpool throughout the huge Russian population since the middle of the nineteenth century .
- THE INCEPTION OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
Workers ‘ trade unions in the cities , peasant groups and down-trodden women formed the various proletariat groups which were very frequently staging violent protests and demonstrations . The Tsar was ruthless and merciless in subjugating these popular protests which led to the death of hundreds of people . The Russian Revolution consisted of the first initial February Revolution and the second final and decisive October Revolution leading to the creation of a Bolshevik or a Communist government.
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The vast country of Russia was ruled since the medieval ages by the harsh , brutal and despotic Russian Emperors known as the Tsars . Under the Tsar’s authoritarian rule the Russian people suffered with poverty , oppression and inhuman working conditions .
- THE CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION
Huge unrest and resentment was growing among the working class , the peasants and the proletariat throughout Russia even since the mid eighteenth century . The Russo - Japanese war of 1904-1905 in which Russia was defeated by Japan was the triggering point which started a series of violent revolutions by the farmers , industrial workers in St. Petersburg , Moscow and the other cities in Russia .
- THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION
In 1914 Russia was made to foray into the First World War by the last Tsar Nicholas II . The multiple heterogenous ethnic groups of Russia were largely disunited and violently disloyal to the Tsar’s imperial regime . The devastating defeat by the powerful German forces resulted in the famous final October revolution by the Bolshevik party . Vladimir Lenin the Bolshevik leader seized total control over the entire Russian Empire and reorganized it into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics .
- THE ROLE OF SOVIET WOMEN IN THE REVOLUTION
The Soviet women participated vehemently , actively and in large numbers along-side their male counterparts or comrades since the beginning of the Russian Revolution . The Bolshevik party promised the liberation of women bestowing upon them equal status , opportunities and representation as men . Legally equal status was implemented and provided to the women in terms of marriage , divorce and alimony . The Bolsheviks later established a women’s organization which spread huge awareness about their legal rights in the Soviet women . It successfully spread literacy among women . The condition of Soviet women improved because of the reforms and they vociferously supported the Bolsheviks and even volunteered in the army .
- THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOLSHEVIKS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONDITION OF THE SOVIET WOMEN
The Bolshevik revolution contributed to a large extent in improving the over-all plight and condition of the Soviet women , in liberating them from traditional conservative male-dominated society and lowly paid working conditions . The government was successful in providing the women better welfare facilities like health-care , education , higher wages and better jobs .
However the majority of the impoverished peasant women in rural Russia remained ignorant of the Communist reforms and they remained secluded in the beliefs of their old traditional centuries old agrarian society . They were conservative in outlook and they resented the drastic reforms brought about by Bolsheviks .
Thus the Bolshevik revolution improved the condition of women only to some extent . However , a large majority of the Russian women in the villages and rural country-side did not benefit much from the reforms and remained secluded .
Source :
- “ Emancipation of Russian Women ” , V.I.Lenin ,1923
- “ Women and Social Revolution” Alexandra Kollontoi ,1935
