Russian Revolution and the Rise of Communism Judy Fruscione Konos Juniors World Geography Russia Week 7

Tsar Nicholas (1868-1918) Russia’s Last Emperor Tsar Nicholas was educated by private tutors. His Father, Alexandar III gave his son little training in affairs of state and it would later have dire consequences. Alexander III, died from liver disease in October 1894 and Nicholas took the throne when he was 26.

Tsar Nicholas and family That same year Nicholas married Princess Alexandra of Hesse - the grand-daughter of Queen Victoria. They had 5 children. Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei. The birth of Alexei in 1904 brought great rejoicing --an heir to the throne had been born. But this soon was marred as it became clear that Alexei suffered from hemophilia.

Autocratic Rule Continues Alexandra was instrumental in convincing Nicholas to resist ever-growing calls for increased democracy within Russia. Alexandra was a firm believer in the autocratic principle. Nicholas required little persuasion: as a nationalist he decried those who favored western-style democracy. He continued to suppress those who opposed his regime He persecuted religious minorities, especially the Jews

The People are Disgruntled Behind the scenes, people are becoming disgruntled and different groups begin to form. Later these groups play a part in the fall of the Tsar. At the beginning of the 20th century the Russian industrial employee worked on average an 11 hour day (10 hours on Saturday). Conditions in the factories were extremely harsh and little concern was shown for the workers' health and safety. 1904 was a particularly bad year for Russian workers. Prices of essential goods rose so quickly that real wages declined by 20 percent.

Bloody Sunday (January 1905) Czarist troops open fire on a peaceful demonstration of workers in St Petersburg Peaceful marchers in St. Petersburg carried a petition to Tsar Nicholas II asking for higher wages, a shorter work day, better working conditions, a legislative assembly, and universal manhood suffrage, hoping reform would come from above. In reaction, Nicholas II ordered his guard to fire into the unarmed crowd; when news of one hundred dead and hundreds more wounded escaped, public opinion almost universally turned against the old regime.

WWI (1914-1918) Patriotic gesture - Nicholas II goes to the front to personally take charge 1915 - Over 2 million Russians die on the front Soldiers do not have sufficient rifles, ammunition or medical care While Nicholas II is at front, he leaves domestic affairs to wife, Alexandra

Rasputin “Mad Monk” Alexandra relied on a “holy man”, Rasputin, for advice on ruling Russia Rasputin wasn’t trusted by the government or people and had many enemies. Prince Felix Yussoupov poisoned and shot Rasputin and fellow assassins threw him into a lake. (12/29/1916)

March Revolution Marchers through the streets shouted “Bread, bread, bread” Troops refused to fire on demonstrators. Czar abdicated – to give up the throne. Duma (advisory group) set up provisional (temporary) government. Russia continued in WWI

Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov was the founder of the Russian Communist Party and leader of the Bolshevik Revolution. Lenin ‘s brother was killed for attempting to kill Alexander III in 1887. Lenin hated the Czarist government. Between 1893-1902 Lenin studied the Marxism. Karl Marx, a German economist and philosopher has written a book called the Communist Manifesto (principles of communist) which became known as Marxism. Lenin quickly adopted its ideals.

Bolsheviks November Revolution (1917) Bolshevik means “majority” and they were a group of revolutionaries organized by Lenin. Their motto was “Peace, land, and bread” Red Guards – armed factory workers joined munitions sailors from the Russian fleet in attacking provisional government Overthrew provisional government New symbol of government – Red flag with entwined hammer and sickle symbolized union between peasants and workers Bolsheviks renamed communists

Civil War Communist overthrow the government in 1917 and take control of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Civil War broke out and lasted for three years. Whites – Tsar supporters Red Army – Lenin Supporters During this time, Tsar Nicholas and his family were killed. Lenin's forces (Red Army) gain control of all of Russia. This ends the Tsar’s rule in Russia.

USSR is established Communist Party is formed Communist party establishes a new government which they call the USSR or the Soviet Union. Citizens can vote, but only one party. The government controls the newspapers, radio and media. A secret police is formed and keep watch on the citizens for any opposition. Anyone against the Communist party was called an “enemy of the state”

Map of Soviet Union

Joseph Stalin (1879-1953) Soviet Leader and Russia’s worst tyrant. He ruled from 1929 until his death in 1953. Great Purges (1936-1938) Stalin rids Russia of all its “enemies”. They were arrested, sent to prison camps and thousands were killed. During 1937 -1938, 40,000 people a month were killed. He was responsible to transforming the Soviet Union into a major world power.

The Five Year Plan (1927-1932) Based on Marxist principles Stalin’s goal is to modernize and industrialize Russia, no matter the cost. Gov’t takes over the bank, factories, mines and other industries. He takes the land from the wealthy peasants and sets up collective farming. The owners receive nothing for their property. Famine sweeps the country, the peasants are persecuted and up to 10 million people die.

Communism rules until 1991 Communists believe in the common ownership of land and industries. Government owns all the land. Government owns the businesses. People all work for the government. Housing is owned by the government. You were required to have a job. Salary was determined by the government.

Communism ends in 1991 Russian Federation is created