Sunday, March 29, 2020
A Chemistry Tutor Can Really Help Your Homework
A Chemistry Tutor Can Really Help Your HomeworkIf you are looking for a chemistry tutor, Joondalup in South Australia is not a very difficult place to locate one. Even with so many high schools in the area, it is very easy to find a chemistry tutor in Joondalup.In fact, there are plenty of people who work from home and do not have to make a lot of money. So, if you need some help with your chemistry homework, then looking online will make it very easy for you to find a tutor. You might also be able to contact someone that has already finished a course in this subject.A tutor can really help you with your homework and that is why you should get a tutor who knows the particular method that works best for you. I had my first session with someone who could have been my tutor in 1998. It was a very good experience, because he could tell me exactly what I was doing wrong.The tutor taught me to distinguish between things that I was doing wrong, and things that I was simply not aware of. He told me how to differentiate between important facts and how to understand them. He was an expert in his field.The tutor taught me not to stress about anything. He also showed me how to apply the right mindset when solving problems. I believe this really helped me a lot.I have always been a stickler for finishing my homework and I believe that I am probably the type of person who does not take as much time as I should when doing my homework. That is why I really enjoyed my first chemistry tutoring session. I just wanted to finish my homework and get back to studying.Mytutor actually made me pay attention and think about what I was doing and made me take note of what I was reading and studying, so that I could catch mistakes before I wrote my own report. As I said, if you are looking for a chemistry tutor in Joondalup, you will have no problem finding one. The more a person is able to learn from their tutors, the better they will be at learning.The only downside to going to a big uni versity in a small town is that the tuition fees will be very expensive. However, if you want to achieve good grades in school and learn the basics of science, then you may as well give it a go. If you cannot afford a university, then a tutor might be the answer.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Teacher talks What its like living and teaching English in Spain
Teacher talks What itâs like living and teaching English in Spain As a hugely popular tourist destination, Spain, to many Europeans, is synonymous with sunny beaches, sangria and sunburn. Itâs where many of us spent our family vacations growing up. As a result we often have a tendency to take this incredible country for granted. The fact is, thereâs a lot more to Spain than meets the eye, including a fascinating history and a rich culture. Having never explored beyond the confines of the most âtouristyâ areas in my life, as a fully-fledged adult with my shiny new bachelorâs degree in hand, I was eager to discover the hidden side of Spain. What better way to get off the tourist trail and get to the very essence of the the real Spain, I thought to myself, than by going on the hunt for a job teaching English in Spain in a remote rural town that I had never even heard of? Supply and demand for English teachers in Spain All that apartment hunting was worth it in the end! As a country that places a huge emphasis on learning English, Spain has always been a hotspot for ESL jobs in Europe. If the fact that Spanish children study English from a very young age at both public and private schools wasnât enough to fuel the relentless demand for English teachers, many parents also enroll their kids in extracurricular English language immersion summer camps and after-school English language courses. Teaching English to adults in Spain is also a booming industry, as more and more Spanish companies have set new requirements for their employees to upskill and develop stronger English language skills. While the majority of English teaching jobs seemed to be concentrated in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, smaller towns in more rural regions of Spain also had plenty of ESL job opportunities as well. As I was seeking a more relaxed pace of life, I set my sights on Ciudad Real, the town of the famous writer Cervantes and Manchego cheese, just south of Madrid, where there was an abundance of English teaching jobs. My top tip for landing a job teaching English in Spain: Get your TEFL first! A weekend spent visiting the famous Alhambra. I found a position teaching in a small school in Ciudad Real relatively quickly, working with middle and high school school students preparing for Cambridge exams as well as adult English learners. Working with two distinct types of ESL students - adolescents and adults - both requiring very different energies and lessons all in the space of one day, was a great opportunities for me to hone my teaching skills. It was also pretty overwhelming and, at times, terrifying. In central Spain, they still do a siesta so that helped. Who doesnât want to nap for a few hours in the middle of the work day? Siesta time in northern Spain. Being honest, at that time, teaching job requirements in Spain were a little more lax than they are now. As a result, I had cheaped out and skipped getting TEFL certified, which in retrospect was a big mistake. Having little to no training in the most effective methods for working with English language learners meant that I struggled to find my feet in the classroom for the first while. If the idea of standing in front of a class full of students without a clue of what youâre doing isnât enough to break you out into a cold sweat, itâs also worth bearing in mind Spain has also become one of the most most competitive ESL teaching job markets in the world. Gone are the days when a native English speaker could walk into any language school in Spain and snag a great-paying job, like I managed to do. Nowadays, there are thousands of overseas teachers, from North America as well as neighboring countries in Europe, all vying for the same English teaching jobs in Spain each year. So take it someone whoâs been there: If youâre serious about teaching English in Spain, do yourself a favor and invest in a TEFL course! And with that piece of hard-won wisdom out of the way, letâs cover some things that were awesome about teaching in Spain: 1. Spain has the best food in the world. Tapas and canas - my staple diet while teaching in Spain! As a foodie, I was in my element living and teaching in Spain. Food is very ingrained in Spanish culture and much to my delight, I spent most evenings after work eating tapas. In the non-touristy parts of Spain, bars still offer free tapas when you buy a small beer (commonly referred to by the locals as cana) or wine. Ciudad Real is also the home of Manchego cheese so needless to say, I was a bit plumper by the end of my time there from overindulging. In my year there, the most spanish vocabulary I learned was about food and menus. Despite my local bar owner not speaking a word of English, I bonded with him and his wife over the Jamon, Gazpacho and Bocadillos they sold. 2. The European approach to work-life balance is incredible. In marked contrast to North Americans, Spanish people have a far better balance between work and life (in fact, theyâve been voted the second best in the world for work-life balance). Family and person time is highly valued and so the working day is much shorter. In my town, the siesta was still used by all schools and businesses, which meant that around 12 noon each day we had a few hours free to eat a long lunch and nap or get the laundry done. The pace of life is in general, much more laid back and relaxes. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 3. You can travel Europe on the cheap. Teaching in Spain meant I was located smack bang in the center of Europe, where travel was relatively cheap and I could visit other cities in Spain and Europe in just a couple of hours. I spent my spring break traveling around Portugal and Northern Spain, as well as shorter weekend trips all over the country. 4. Spain is one of the countries with the most vacation days in the world. Semana Santa Festival. Spain is famous for its abundance of ancient and quirky festivals and holidays. Each municipality has 13 holidays a year. Semana Santa (Easter) is the biggest, and small towns like mine did lots of really interesting things to celebrate, like burning fish in the town centre. These were great occasions to share with my students and create lessons and learn about their traditions. Ever want to see a whole town and itâs people covered in tomatoes? Tomatina Festival in Valencia is just the ticket for you! 5. Ever wanted to learn another (very useful) language? Hereâs your chance! Despite Spanish being a relatively easy language to learn, I hold my hands up and freely admit I did not leave a fluent speaker. I did pick up quite a bit out of necessity. however, as locals in the smaller towns in Spain tend to speak little English. If your goal is to a fluent Spanish speaker, then immersion is without a doubt the best way to learn a foreign language. You would definitely be able to achieve fluency by living in one of the smaller cities, where you canât reply on others speaking your native language. 6. Living in Spain is very affordable. Granted, the salaries to teach in Spain are not as competitive as other places like the UAE and China. However, even with my fairly modest teaching salary, I could afford a nice apartment near the central plaza, a beer after work every day and save up enough to travel around Europe on my free time. I never worked long hours, there wasnât lots of extra paperwork (that us teachers love so much) and so I had ample time to explore the history and culture of this special country. I have every intention of going back to teach in Spain again someday. And even retire there, who knows?
5 Habits of Successful College Students to Adopt This Summer
5 Habits of Successful College Students to Adopt This Summer Image via Pixabay.com 1. Get enough sleep According to the University of Georgia, most college students only get six to six and a half hours of sleep each night when young adults are recommended to get at least eight hours of sleep. Sleeping for just a few hours a night can be detrimental to your health. Sleep is your bodyâs natural way of recovering energy, of fighting off illnesses, and helping you to be more alert. Think of how you feel when you donât get enough sleep at night. You might feel on edge or nervous, maybe even cranky. Youâre not at the top of your game, which is a necessity in college. Youâre unable to think as clearly as youâd be able to with enough sleep. This summer, why not try aiming for a healthier amount of sleep at night? Your body will thank you. 2. Keep a schedule Things can get a little hectic when schoolâs in session. Do you remember how busy you were last semester? Do you remember how many times you might have forgotten about scheduled dates with friends, a change in your work schedule, or that a class was canceled? Sometimes, there are so many events going on in your life that your mind canât hold them all. Thatâs why maintaining a schedule is so important. Either on paper or on an app, create a schedule and note any particular events or dates that are out of the ordinary. That way, youâll have all of your important dates written down somewhere and it will be easier to see when youâll have free time. 3. Deal with emotions A recent Healthy Minds study analysis by a team at UCLA tells us that there is still a stigma surrounding mental health. Researchers say that stigma is the reason why many college students are hesitant to seek help on campus. The study found that campuses where there is more of a stigma around mental health, there are fewer students seeking mental health treatment. There should be no stigma around mental health. If youâre not feeling like yourself, if you find that youâre having a hard time coping with something, or if you just need to talk to someone, go seek help. Mental health isnât something that should be swept under the carpet. The only way youâre going to grow is by facing your problems. 4. Eat healthily I personally know how hard it can be to eat healthy in college. They donât call it the freshman 15 for nothing. In a college town, there are greasy fast food eateries and food delivery services like BiteSquad abound. It can be so easy to simply pick up a phone and call for a pizza rather than cook a healthy meal. You can do better than that this summer! Make the decision to cook and go grocery shopping a bit more. Limit your fast food visits to once or twice a week. Make an effort to cut out unhealthy food in your life altogether and opt for more fruits and veggies. 5. Do your very best This summer, give your all in everything that you do. If you have a part-time job, go there with a smile on your face and do the best job you can do, even if itâs a part-time position. Be known for having a great attitude. Having an unpaid internship doesnât mean you have to do the bare minimum amount of work. Give your boss your best and theyâll notice how hard youâre working. What are some other habits of successful college students that youâd like to start this summer? Share your ideas by commenting!
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Discovering If a Chemistry OR Physics Major is Right For You
Discovering If a Chemistry OR Physics Major is Right For YouDo you want to know if there is a difference between the two different types of students who have been given the Biology or Chemistry major as their major? Are there any specific differences between the two different majors that the student needs to be aware of before choosing a major? There are a lot of things that you need to know and keep in mind when you are deciding which college to apply to, and that includes the choice of major.Physics and Chemistry are not the same type of major. A good example of this is Chemistry. While Chemistry has many branches such as organic chemistry, chemical bonding, and spectroscopy, Physics has much more to it. This can be seen by looking at the studies that are required in Physics, which range from those who only need basic theory, to those who need theory from advanced classes such as Physics 110.However, despite having so many branches, the subject matter in each branch of Science cour se is very different. That's because all branches are very similar, and they are all concerned with the study of the physical world.For example, in Science, there are four elementary groups of the physical world: Forces, Matter, the Atomic Structure, and the Human Body. As one of the branches of Science, Science has the oldest and largest body of laws to regulate the world we live in. These laws are called Physical Laws, and they are basic to understanding the way our world works.The study of Physics is very much like a study of these Elementary Physical Laws. The study of Physics in particular has nothing to do with the study of Matter and/or the Atomic Structure, except maybe in how we interpret them. Physics is concerned with the relationship between matter and the forces acting on matter, the study of atoms and their motion, and the study of the atomic structure.Chemistry on the other hand, is not so much concerned with the study of Physics as it is with the study of Chemistry. The most common field of study for Chemistry majors is chemistry, so it is expected that you will have a background in Chemistry. However, if you decide to major in Chemistry, you will need to learn about different aspects of Chemistry, including chemical bonding, chemical diagrams, reaction kinetics, chemical processes, and gases and compounds.It is important to note that despite the differences in the subject matter between the two major subjects, the process of getting a degree in Biology or Chemistry does not change that much. You still need to work hard in your classes, be organized in your classwork, and maintain a good grade point average.
What Does Incompatibilite Mean in Chemistry?
What Does Incompatibilite Mean in Chemistry?What does insoluble mean in chemistry? Most of us may find this question to be perplexing and confuse it with others. To understand the answer to this question, you must have to take a look at what insoluble actually means in chemistry.Soluble means that it has no molecular association to any other molecule. This means that it does not make any attachment to another. So, a substance that is soluble can be very helpful to us. They are very useful for the substances that we use to take out the contaminants and pollutants. This helps the people who work in factories because they can easily clean the air by simply using some of the products that are available.Another definition that you may be familiar with is that it is usually a liquid or a gas. These two definitions are related because both contain one or more molecules. You need to know how each one looks like when it is in its pure form. When you read chemical jargon, it will become clear that this definition applies only to the meaning of solubility.Solubility refers to the ability of a compound to stick to another in aqueous solution. So, it is the tendency of a substance to adhere to another in a medium of water or other solvent. This can be used as a reference when we talk about solvents.Soluble means that it is liquid. There are many examples of solids in the world today. Examples of solids are glass, plastic, rubber, mineral oil, and cardboard.Compounds that are soluble are those that are easily separated in water. It is the mixture of water and some solvent that enables them to be separated. There are many examples of solids that are soluble. Examples are amino acids, silica, starch, and sugar.Chemistry is a subject that is worth knowing and understanding. Knowing the difference between solubility and insolubility will help you get a better grasp on chemistry and its different components.
Economics Tutor - What Else Should You Know?
Economics Tutor - What Else Should You Know?If you have a budding career as an economics tutor and you want to enjoy it to the fullest, then you need to become a part of Los Angeles' thriving economics community. The reason for this is because the economy of the city is very heavily dependent on how well an economy runs. A top economy means a top job and a lot of financial resources are at stake when you have a nation that is experiencing massive economic stagnation.The next best thing to getting hired would be to find out if the market you are planning to open your own school in is in a hot spot in the region. If it is, then you can expect to see a rush of applicants. However, if you are new to the business, then it is important that you take your time. If you are prepared to find out where you will fit in, then it will not be that hard to get the head start that you need.Getting an education at a quality institution that also offers the most competitive tuition rates in Los Angeles is one of the keys to success. There are plenty of schools that you can choose from but the one that will suit your needs the best is the one that is within walking distance of your home. This way, you are able to go there anytime you want.Anaconda Venture School in California, for example, is just a few minutes away from where you live and work. Its tuition rates are quite competitive and the classes themselves are practical so you can work on your skills while you are taking your lessons. You will also be able to attend any of the other classes that you desire, and this will not only improve your mind, but also your career.If you are still worried about the economy, then you might want to consider learning how to do some tutoring. You can find jobs like this all over the city and the lucrative salaries are even higher. Tutors teach economics at colleges, for example, and you will be required to teach courses like math, physics, economics, and more. However, before you can apply f or a job, you will have to pass an exam for admission.In fact, the only reason why you should consider getting into economics tutoring position is to increase your financial resources. If you cannot afford to pay the standard fees for a college, then you can always take out a second mortgage to fund your educational endeavors.Atlanta is another booming economy, and with a good education in economics, you will not be left behind. You will not only enjoy your job, but you will enjoy your life as well.
Composing Life Lessons from Music
Composing Life Lessons from Music Suzy S. The benefits of music are well-documented when it comes to instilling skills and confidence in young children here, TakeLessons instructor Bryan B. explains how music can translate into career success for adults as well! ____________________________________________ Recently, I went on a two week trip to sunny Northridge, California, where I got to work with amazing artists and teachers to help develop my craft. What is my craft you say? Singing more specifically, opera singing. The program I took part in, OperaWorks, provided me with much more insight than I initially expected. Living in an age of doubt, I immediately felt like it might not have been worth my money. But after two weeks I was pleased to see that there were noticeable changes not only in my music, but also in my life. Lets take a closer look at how my training in music affected my life and my world: Opera-ism #1: I am AWESOME. This was a technique I learned to help prepare myself for an audition. By giving myself a pep talk before walking through the door, I am able to walk in with confidence. So how does this apply to my life? Well, aside from teaching, I have a normal day-to-day job in sales. And as part of that job, I have to provide people with a service or product. This can be really nerve-wracking because I hate sales people myself. I recently went to buy a car and the worst part about the whole experience was the salesman. I already knew I was going to buy a car, I had already researched the car that I wanted and he just seemed to get in the way. Because of experiences like these, I try to steer myself away from being a âpushyâ sales guy. When I applied my âI am AWESOME!â pep talk to my day-to-day job, I found that it was a lot easier for me to sell to people without being pushy or being pushed over. I was able to confidently talk about products, build relationships with my clients and actively listen and respond to their concerns. Essentially, being AWESOME allowed me to be myself when I was on the phone, and let my personality shine. What I learned from this is products dont sell people do. Opera-ism #2: Music is not whats written on the page, it is what the performers make of it. The intention of the composer was not that the performer sing the song exactly how it was written, in a robotic fashion, but to add expression and interpretation to it. This came to light for me when I sang an operatic aria (Love Sounds the Alarm from Acis and Galatea), which is a love song. Rather than expressing lovey-dovey emotions, this aria became a war speech in OperaWorks. I was inspiring a nation to defend itself against its enemies. The whole meaning of the song changed, but it was really effective. The real life experience happened in learning my âpitch.â You can always hear the sales pitch coming when youre on the phone with a salesman. Well, I realized its not about the words, its about the meaning. Upon returning, having already memorized the pitch, I started to implement the meaning of the words, and tie them back to the desires of my customers. What Ive learned as a performer has more than affected my life it has changed me. I went into OperaWorks as an insecure performer and came out a confident man. The results speak for themselves. My performance at work has improved, and my personal life is much happier and free. This just goes to show that things shouldnt be taken at face value. What you learn in school might actually apply to real life. Who knew? Bryan B. TakeLessons Instructor
What is it Like to Attend Tufts University
What is it Like to Attend Tufts University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Evelyn is a St. Louis tutor specializing in SAT prep tutoring, GRE prep tutoring, Middle School Math tutoring, and more. She graduated from Tufts University in 2009 with a degree in Biopsychology. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Evelyn: Tufts University is located in Somerville/Medford, right outside of Boston. I really liked that the school is located in a less busy, suburban area but is still close to the city. I felt safe on the Tufts campus, but I always used common sense strategies just in case (e.g., didnt walk around alone at night, paid attention to my surroundings). There is a lot of public transportation available for Tufts students, including bus and subway systems. In addition, Tufts runs a campus shuttle (known as The Joey) that can transport you to a few different locations on-campus. It also goes to Davis Square, the location of the nearest subway stop (about a 15-20 minute walk away from campus). I dont think its necessary to have a bike or car at Tufts, though it can make it easier to get to certain places a little further from campus (e.g., the grocery store, Target). VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Evelyn: I never had an issue with getting in touch with professors, academic advisers, teaching assistants, etc.everyone that I had was very accessible, both via e-mail and to meet in-person. Most of my professors and teaching assistants actually encouraged students to reach out to them, which I dont think is always the case at other schools. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Evelyn: All freshmen and sophomores are required to live in dorms on-campus. Students can choose from various dorm options (e.g., different locations on campus, healthy living, freshmen-only, suites or individual rooms, etc.). Some dorms are better than others, but theyre all passable. There isnt enough on-campus housing for everyone at the school, so it can be little difficult to get a dorm as a junior or senior. There are a lot of apartments available for rent right next to the campus, though, and I was actually ready to live in my own place by the time I was a junior! There are two main dining halls on-campusI got a little tired of the food by the time I was a senior, but it was still pretty good overall. Tufts Dining Services makes a conscious effort to offer a variety of foods, including healthy options, and the dining halls had some fun theme nights every week (I remember stir fry night being particularly popular at one of the dining halls). The school is actually in both Somerville and Medford, two towns right outside of Boston. I really liked the location because it was still pretty close to the city without being right in the middle of it. There were a lot of opportunities for socialization on-campusI met most of my friends through running cross-country and track, but there are a ton of other groups students can join (intramural sports, various music groups, fraternities and sororities). A lot of my friends were also really close with people they met in their freshmen dorms. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Evelyn: Tufts undergraduate program is divided into the School of Arts Sciences and the School of Engineering. When I was a student, I knew a lot of people who majored in English, Economics, Biology, Psychology, and International Relations, and several of my friends were Engineering majors. I was a Biopsychology major, so I took classes in both the Biology and Psychology departments. Ive always been interested in the biological basis of cognition and behaviour, so that major was a perfect fit for me. I felt very supported in my studiesI had a great adviser and some really amazing professors. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Evelyn: It was pretty easy for me to meet people as a freshman because I was a member of a sports team. It seemed like it was relatively easy for most people on-campus to make friends, though, either through their dorm or some type of student group. When I was in school, Greek life didnt play a huge role on-campus, but they did have a presence. I wasnt involved in the Greek system at all, but I remember hearing a lot about various philanthropic activities they were involved in (as well as parties they would host on the weekends!). VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Evelyn: I found Tufts Career Center very helpful, especially when I was applying to Teach for America my senior year. I know they offer help with resumes and cover letters, hold various career fairs, and assist people in applying for graduate school and jobs. The Academic Resource Center was also a really great serviceI worked there as a biology and psychology tutor, but I know they offer tutoring in virtually all subjects. Tufts is well-known as an academically rigorous school, so I think a lot of reputable companies recruit on-campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Evelyn: The on-campus study areas were easily available and spacious, for the most part. The only time it may have been hard to find a place to study at the library was during finals period, if you didnt get there pretty early in the morning. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Evelyn: There is a lot going on in the Boston arealots of museums, concert venues, shopping, great restaurants! Davis Square is about a 15-20 minute walk away from campus, and it has a few good bars and places to eat (and a delicious ice cream placeJP Licks). From there, its a pretty short subway ride to Cambridge and Boston. In my experience, most people at Tufts usually stayed relatively close to campus (e.g., Davis or Harvard Square). It could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get to downtown Boston, depending on where you wanted to go. People would venture into the city every now and then, though, especially when there were special events going on (Head of the Charles Regatta, St. Patricks Day Parade, Boston Marathon). VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Evelyn: The undergraduate student body is about 5,000 people. I was, for the most part, pleased with the class sizesexcept for a few introductory courses I had to take for my major, classes were usually pretty small (about 15 people per class). VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Evelyn: My most memorable experience was, in the summer before my senior year, participating in a program called Research for Undergraduates. I got to do an independent research project about sexual selection in fireflies (I could nerd out right now, but I wont. Ill just say that it was very interesting!). Everyone in the program got to do his or her own project and present the findings at a research symposium at the end of the summer. We also went on a couple biology-related field trips and had weekly meetings/seminars about various topics in biology. It was a memorable experience because I had an awesome mentor and got to investigate a topic I found fascinating. I worked hard on my project and got a lot out of it (including a paper published in a scientific journal, which Im still really proud of!). Check out Evelyns tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution What Was the Russian Revolution About? ChaptersThe Russian Revolution: Terms and ConditionsThe First 1917 Russian RevolutionThe Interim Months and The Bolshevik RevolutionThe Aftermath of the Russian RevolutionOur title actually concerns a pair of revolutions, one early in 1917 and the other toward the end of the year, both for the same causes: the countryâs political leadership and economic stability.The events are difficult to narrate in a linear fashion because, often, the causes and effects themselves are not linear, to say nothing of the fact that dating the events is challenging for the different calendars used at the time.Furthermore, the terminology used has a different meaning in Russian than their English interpretation.For these reasons and others, we start our dissertation of these historical events with a glossary; a roadmap of sorts to help navigate the remains of what was, fundamentally, an impressive struggle.The Julian calendar, on the other hand, alternates between 29 and 31 days and February presents its own leap year variations; that month might have 23 or 24 days.Why is this important?Unlike most of Europe and, for some purposes, Great Britain, Russia was using the Julian calendar almost exclusively at the time of the revolution.The trouble lies in assuming every event recorded in Russian history on any given date must reflect the Julian date rather than including the possibility that the Gregorian date had in fact been used, especially in when events in Russia are contrasted with global events.Currently and at the time of the Russian Revolution, the Julian calendar runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.That discrepancy could lead to some confusion over the sequence of events. That is why historians denote any date relating to Russian history with either O.S. or N.S. to indicate which calendar should be consulted when considering exactly what happened and when.We will follow that protocol in this text.Terminology of the Russian RevolutionSoviet: literally means council in RussianBolshevik: translated from Russian as one of the majority; Bolsheviks were also known as RedsMensheviks, by contrast, were the political minoritiesthe Duma: the Lower house of the legislative assemblyPetrograd: St. Petersburgat the time of the revolution, it was the capital of RussiaHowever, by the Second World War, the seat of government had moved further inland, to Moscow.Architects of the RevolutionThese are the principal engineers of the Russian Revolution:Karl Marx: philosopher and political theorist whose writings inspired Lenin, among othersVladimir Lenin: leader of the Bolsheviks and creator of the Marxist-Leninist political ideologyLeon Trotsky: Marxist and Bolshevik, though as the revolution was gaining traction, he was a MenshevikJulius Martov: a Menshevik who stirred Leninâs ire by suggesting peace with Germanyit was his writings that formed the basis of the Trotskyâs manifestoGrigory Zinoviev: a staunch supporter of Lenin, he was, along with Trotsky and Stal in, one of the seven original members of the Politburo.To this illustrious list, we should add Nicolai Ruzsky, the army general who forced Tsar Nicholasâ abdication.Of course, we all know that Tsar Nicholas was the last Russian emperor and his abdication signalled the end of the Romanov dynasty.His role in the revolution is our starting point, now that we have all of the groundwork laid.Rioting in the streets of Petrograd Source: Wikipedia Credit: Victor BulleThe First 1917 Russian RevolutionNo event in history is freestanding: there are always causes leading up to and fallout â" be it social, political, economic or a combination of all three.Russiaâs February Revolution (March 1917 N.S.) was instigated by the 1905 Revolution and the root cause of both actions was Tsar Nicholas II.The crux of the 1905 event was Bloody Sunday, when the palace imperial guards fired upon unarmed factory workers approaching the Winter Palace to submit a petition for their emperor to intercede on th eir behalf.They were asking for better working conditions but were murdered instead!This incident had several effects; among others, it served to deepen social unrest and distrust of the Tsar, as well as stirring up political fervor.It is important to note that the Tsar was not in residence at the time.He had been informed of the workersâ demonstration and ordered troop reinforcements to the palace ahead of their arrival. He did not command the palace guards to open fire on the supplicants; nevertheless, he was blamed for the massacre.This incident cemented the idea that Nicholas II was at least cowardly if not ineffective, a sentiment carried through the world war, especially as Russia suffered staggering losses.During World War I, Russia herself was in turmoil, not only for the casualties sustained in battle but because, on the home front, people were starving â" and the Tsar was to blame!Flash forward now to 1917...The Tsar had been overseeing the front lines of the war for tw o years.As the socio-economic crisis deepened in Petrograd, the State Duma advised their emperor to establish a constitutional monarchy, at least to see the country through this period of unrest. He ignored the advice and any bit of loyalty to him that the people may have harboured evaporated.Further demonstrations led to more bloodshed, with police firing on demonstrators... before siding with their cause and actually joining them. Other regiments, some in the city on the Tsarâs orders, also mutinied.Member of the Soviet and the Duma quickly formed a provisional government in an effort to restore order. Their first official act was to demand the abdication of the tsar.On March 15, 1917 (N.S.), Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, naming his brother, Michael, to the throne. Wisely, that Duke deferred ascension until the people could vote on whether to continue the monarchy or institute a government by the constitutional assembly.That move, while lauded, left a vacuum in the countryâs gov ernance: leadership was up for grabs.The same could not be said for the American colonies; they resented England's leadership, which led to the American Revolution.The Red Guards, armed to the teeth, in front of a Petrograd factory Source: Wikipedia Cedit: Viktor BullaThe Interim Months and The Bolshevik RevolutionUpon Duke Michaelâs deferment of the crown, the Duma maintained the hastily formed provisional government, but it catered mainly to the wishes of the aristocracy.In other words: the people still had no champion at the national level and no relief from the hardships of daily life.Unlike their former enemy, where a certain Herr Hitler would become the people's champion in Nazi Germany.The socialist Soviets worked hard on behalf of the people and even earned the loyalty of left-leaning urbanites, but they were under constant pressure from the Bolsheviks, who were seeking a road into â" or, at least a way of swaying the Duma to their agenda.Lenin led the movement that deman ded an immediate cessation of hostilities with Germany, an end to serfdom â" those who worked the land should have ownership of it, and an adequate food supply for all.The government wanted to continue fighting the war, which gave the Bolsheviks all the justification they could have hoped for to escalate their revolutionary tactics.The workers who had previously demonstrated without any real direction were whipped into a militia and aimed at insurrection.On November 7th, 1917 (N.S.) The Red Guards, as they were called, violently overthrew the provisional government and rendered all political power onto the Soviets, with the Bolsheviks as the supreme reigning political party.The Aftermath of the Russian RevolutionThe Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, moved the seat of national government to Moscow where, in one of its first official acts, it drafted and signed the Treaty of Brest-Litvosk with Germany (March 1918), thus ending their involvement in the First World War.Making good on that prom ise earned the Bolsheviks a lot of goodwill and faith from their war-weary constituents.Unfortunately, one treaty does not make peace on all fronts. Several political factions within Russia were dissatisfied with Bolshevik rule.The Whites were counter-revolutionaries who rather wanted the bourgeois system to be reinstated. The non-Bolshevik socialists resented all of the power the Bolsheviks accorded themselves in the Brest-Litvosk treaty.And then, there were independent movements espousing the breakup of the nation into smaller nation-states, out from under Bolshevik control.The Bolsheviks and their Red Army â" formerly the Red Guard, by now well-regimented and well-equipped, was able to put down all of these skirmishes, in the process rebranding themselves as the Communist party.Their withdrawal from the world stage into communism served to shield the country from the ravages brought on by the Great Depression.What happened with Tsar Nicholas and his family?After being refused ex ile in England, where Nicholas believed he might find a sympathetic royal court, he and his family were relocated several times; the last move being to Yekaterinburg.Around 2:00 in the morning on July 17th, 1918, the entire family was awakened, given time to dress, ushered into the basement of their residence and executed.Historians cannot seem to agree on who gave the actual order for this tragedy but Lenin is strongly thought to have commanded it.How discover more earth-shattering events that changed our world's political and economic landscape.
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