India's Freedom Struggle andFebruary Revolution in Russia - Essay Example

Although the presence of the British in the Indian subcontinent was not as significant as in other possessions of the Crown, the British succeeded to rule two-thirds of India directly while the rest of British India comprised the semi-autonomous Princely States. Furthermore, the Mistress of the Seas utilized successfully the “Divide and Rule” principle in India as a means of precluding the natives from uprising against the puppet Raj rule. British policies in India resulted in numerous crop failures and famines killing over 10 million people

In this atmosphere of Muslim-Hindu, hostility first step towards independence of India and western-fashioned democracy was taken with the designation of councilors of Indian descent to assist the viceroy and with the creation of made up of Indians provincial councils. From 1920 such leaders as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi initiated an extremely popular mass movement to strive against the Raj regime, using predominantly non-violent, peaceful methods. There were however several leaders which adopted a belligerent approach.

  The strong impact Mohandas Gandhi had on India as well his ability to obtain independence through an entirely peaceful, the non-violent movement made him follow by example. He suggested Indians wear a minimum of homemade clothes to undermine the British textile manufacture. He also orchestrated the idea of the march to the sea, where the protesters were making the salt of their own protesting against the British monopoly. Indians awarded their spiritual leader with the name Mahatma which stands for Great Soul

Although there were other movements striving for Indian independence from the Crown it was the Gandhian non-violent movement that played the crucial role in achieving Indian freedom in 1947. Having at last obtained independence Indians were saved from a fratricidal war. (Heehs 1998)

Unlike India, Russia has not succeeded in changer political order without violence. However, Russians overthrew despotic stardom that had been drastically oppressing them as well as many non-Russian subdued peoples 1917 February Revolution proved to be abortive. Once the Petrograd factory workers went for a general strike demanding social improvements military units sent to quench the riots refused to obey the orders, while the army and the police officers deserted from setting Russian capital to rights. As a result despotic Tsardom fell without being overthrown. Those Russian politicians who formed the first Provisional Government and proclaimed the Russian republic did nothing to overthrow Nicolas II. Figuratively they rode the tide of the popular discontent.  Furthermore, as subsequent events proved Russian democrats had rather vague ideas of the future of their nascent democracy – take alone the disbandment of the police and the secret service (okhrannoe otdelenie).

This measure in addition to the general Amnesty resulted in a dramatic increase in crime throughout the country making people long for strong power. The soldiers in trenches, factory workers, and the broad masses of Russian peasantry did not care a bit about the slogans and political programs. It is no wonder that they clung instinctively to the Bolsheviks fully aware of their goals as well as of Russia’s future. It was significant when in the course of one of the numerous discussions which were held within the period between March and November of 1917, Bolshevik leader Lenin announced, “There is a party!”(Service 2000), able to assume responsibility for the future of Russia. It is no wonder that it was the Bolshevik party that soon took power and put their country in order, although using drastic measures.  

February revolution appeared to have broken out spontaneously without both any formal planning and without any real leadership. Politicians who became the leaders of the February Revolution often had no precise idea of the Revolution’s aims. It is no wonder that the leaders of the February Bourgeoisie Revolution lost their cause to those of the October Bolshevik Revolution.

Unlike the ministers of the Provisional Government, Bolsheviks had formal leadership of the coup. Furthermore, they set precise goals. They claimed entire state power to the Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ deputies that were dominated by Bolsheviks and promised to withdraw Russia from World War. It is no wonder that the October revolution ultimately triumphed over most parts of the former Russian Empire.