Roots of the Russian Revolution 1881, reforms stop when Alexander II assassinated Alexander III strengthens “autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationality”

Nicholas’ reforms bring discontent Forced industrialization Workers badly exploited Bolshevik (Communist) party formed by Lenin

Lenin’s communism Based on Marx’s early writings. Union between workers and peasants “Peace, Land, Bread”

Unrest Grows 1905 Loss of Russo-Japanese War 1905-St Petersburg Massacre- “Bloody Sunday” Alexandra and Alexis The Rasputin scandals

World War I Doom for Romanovs February (March) Revolution Nicholas abdicates Mensheviks rule Russia

Kerensky Government Tries to remain in war- Soviets form as rival governments Lenin leads October Revolution

Lenin’s early reforms Land redistribution Worker control of factories Peace with Germany-Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

civil war Mensheviks ( Whites ) democrats/czarists oppose Lenin Bolsheviks ( Reds ) led by Leon Trotsky-communists Intervention by western democracies

civil war 15 million die Czar Nicholas and family executed 1921 war ends Communists in firm control Civil war leaves towards western democracies

Lenin’s later reforms Formation of the Union of Socialist Soviets of Russia (USSR ) New Economic Policy (NEP)

Lenin dies in 1924 Power struggle between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin Stalin wins