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Comparing the French and Russian Revolutions

What? Political Revolutions that changed the power structure of Europe and the World. French peasants storm the Bastille to free political prisoners and to seize weapons in 1789.

French peasants storm the Bastille to free political prisoners and to seize weapons in 1789.

Where?: Europe (France and Russia to be specific)

When?: 1789 and 1917

Who? The key figures in the French Revolution were King Louis XVI, Robespierre and Napoleon. The key figures in the Russian Revolution were Czar Nicholas II, Lenin and Stalin.

Why?: In both cases a wealthy aristocracy supported by religious leaders exerted great power of the peasants and the working poor. In both cases the influx (introduction) of new political ideas sparked revolution. Bolshevik workers seize the headquarters of the Provisional Government of Alexander Kerensky beginning the Bolshevik phase of the Russian Revolution i

Bolshevik workers seize the headquarters of the Provisional Government of Alexander Kerensky beginning the Bolshevik phase of the Russian Revolution i

How?: In both cases angry workers and peasants rose up an seized the reigns of power. In France by Storming the Bastille and in Russia by first seizing the Czar and then later the Bolsheviks took power by seizing the provisional government at the Winter Palace.

Related Terms: 1) Communism, 2) Aristocracy, 3) Peasant, 4) Estates-General & 5) Political Revolution

Comparing the French and Russian Revolutions - Global History 2

stustein	Latest page update: made by stustein , Jan 27 2008, 8:31 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by stustein 150 words added 3 images added view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: French Revolution Political Revolutions Russian Revolution More Info: links to this page