Russian Revolutions World History

2 Minute Research Spend 2-3 minutes researching facts about Russia. When you have six facts you find interesting (about ANYTHING involving Russia), make a bubble map with those facts. Keep it until next class!

Goals Comprehend the basis of the Russian Revolutions and recreate the pivotal moment in the life of a key Russian leader.

What is a “pivotal moment?” An important moment which signifies a shift in direction. Examples from your life?

Russian Government Before Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution No political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people. (Okhrana)

What are the Russian Revolutions? A time period from that included 2 revolutions: one overthrew the Czar, and the second installed the era of communist rule.

What is Communism? a political theory advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned Government owns EVERYTHING! Kind of like “all people are equal” Usually leads to single party dictatorship

Group and Leader Assignments

Czar Nicholas II – Savanna, Meaghyn, Adam

Karl Marx – Drake, Evan, Sam

V. I. Lenin – Gracie, Noah, Ellie

Rasputin – Rachael, Hunter, Mack

Pivotal Moment Plays Research background of your Russian/important individual Produce 2-3 slides on background/importance of your individual on Google slides (share w/me) Determine their “pivotal moment” Write/create a written/typed 1 scene/act play of appx. 1 minute acting out pivotal moment! Must include all dialogue and stage direction Exit Ticket: 1 paragraph summarizing the background of your figure, and explaining his pivotal moment

Grading Presentation20 pts 2-3 slides Background, pivotal moment and reasoning why Script/Play20 pts Written/typed script of PM includes dialogue, stage direction One scene acted out Each group member participates

Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Czar Nicholas II and Family

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

Bloody Sunday (1905)

Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria- Hungary War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front

Rasputin

Rasputin with Admirers

March Revolution (1917) protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI

October (Bolshevik) Revolution Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread” Won support of people (especially peasants)

March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest ‑ Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.

White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions Reds defeat Whites

Rule of Lenin Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism Political Reforms -Bolshevik party became Communist Party -Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics

Communism A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

1924 Lenin Dies Power Vaccuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control Now must decide how he will maintain power Decides to create a totalitarian state

Characteristics of a Totalitarian State Dictatorship- Absolute Authority Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation State Control Over All Sectors of Society Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts State Control Over the Individual Obedience Denies basic liberties Organized Violence Uses force to crush opposition

Stalin’s Totalitarian State State Control of the Economy 5 year plan, collective farms Police Terror Great Purge, crush opposition Religious Persecution Control of the individual Propaganda (socialist realism) Molding peoples minds Education Controlled by the government