Causes of the Revolution Dissatisfaction with the Czar’s Imperial rule –Russia still had a feudal society where serfs (peasants) had to pay all taxes Industrial Revolution created factory jobs with very poor pay and conditions; it was also illegal to create labor unions Military loss to Japan in the 1905 Russo-Japanese war –A humiliating defeat revealed the lack of leadership in the Russian military and government World War I –Russian troops with extremely unprepared for the war which saw many defeats and large losses of life –Food shortages back in Russia left the population starving to death –In the middle of the war, Czar Nicholas II replaced all the military leaders with his close friends

Rasputin’s Influence Czar Nicholas II left the Moscow to lead the troops on the battle fields on the Eastern Front Czarina Alexandra was left in charge of the government Alexandra asked Grigori Rasputin for advice on how to run the government Rasputin: A “healer” for Prince Alexei (son of Nicholas and Alexandra) Was an uneducated, corrupt, mystic that used hypnosis to persuade people to listen to his radical ideas

The 1917 Revolution Conflict erupted between government forces and groups of rebels that wanted to get rid of the Czar Czar Nicholas II would eventually give up the throne after losing support from the workers, military, and aristocracy A new legislative body was created (Duma) with a temporary government Eventually a civil war broke out between the two leading parties in the Duma Mensheviks: “Whites”, most popular and largest group VS. Bolsheviks: “Reds”, small group of radical communists Bolsheviks won and their leader Vladimir Lenin was declared the first dictator of the new communist Russia

U.S.S.R Communists under Lenin organized the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which originally made up of four ”union republics” or states. The number would eventually increase over time through the 30s., 40s, and 50s.

New Economic Policy Helped to restore production by relaxing government conditions in order to change the flawed system Cancelled law forcing peasants to give up a percentage of their crops to the government Only meant to be temporary

“He alone could have found the way back to the causeway…the Russian people were left floundering in the bog. The worst misfortune was his birth…their next worst was his death.” -Winston Churchill on Lenin

A New Totalitarian Regime Joseph Stalin General Secretary of Soviet Union during Lenin’s rule (second in command) Took power in 1924 after Lenin’s death and ruled until his death in 1953 Main concern while in power was the spread of communism and to have complete power Often would fill the government with his close friends and supporters