The Russian Revolution Or French Revolution II: The Proletariat Strikes Back

What do we know about Russia? With a partner, describe the situation in Russia during the 1800s and 1900s. How was it different than elsewhere in Europe?

A Declining Empire Thanks to the efforts of rulers like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, Russia had entered a “Golden Era” by the end of the Napoleonic Wars However, its failure to effectively navigate the great changes wrought by the Industrial Revolution led it to fall behind western Europe While the Empire still maintained a lot of power, standard of living remained poor Lost Crimean War (1853) and Russo-Japanese war (1905); shows that Russia is outdated

Decembrist Revolt Officers of the army upset by the succession of Nicholas I revolt in 1825 They want reform of serfdom Unsuccessful; conspirators deported to Siberia and Nicholas I becomes czar- he is very conservative

Reform-minded Emperor After Nicholas I dies, his son Alexander II (Alexander the Liberator) takes the throne He is much more liberal than his father Frees the serfs (1861) Provides education Relaxes many rules on the lower classes He even begins plans to constitutionalize the government, but he is assassinated before he can

Alexander III Conservative who reverses many policies of Alexander II, going back to the legacy of repression He is succeeded by Nicholas II

Modernization efforts and stress Russia finally experiences Industrial Revolution in the 1890s due to the efforts of Czar Nicholas II Former serfs with no land, money or power are now basically wage slaves Teachings of Marx and communism become very popular

Bloody Sunday Russia loses Russo-Japanese War in 1905 Upset by this and poor working conditions, protestors march on the winter palace and are massacred Sets off rebellion across the country Finally quelled when Nicholas II agrees to create the Duma- Russian Congress- that essentially has no power

The Royal Family

Rasputin Siberian Peasant and devout Orthodox Christian Somehow rises all the way up to the Russian royal court Holds enormous influence over Czarina and Czar “Magical Healing Powers”- seems to be the only person that can save the Czar’s son who has hemophilia Rasputin is…interesting Excessive use of alcohol Frequent promiscuity, even with members of the royal court Tabloid rumors about his relationship with the Czarina

World War I World War I proves to be a disaster for Russia Nicholas I insists on leading from the front- leaves the Czarina Alexandra in charge Bad idea- people are angry and Rasputin gains more influence- he is assassinated in 1916 Russia cannot keep up with demands of modern warfare and its people begin to starve

March 1917- February Revolution Bread riots- led by women- happen in St Petersburg This time, the army sides with the protestors- proves to be decisive Czar abdicates, provisional government led by the Duma takes over, Soviets also have large influence Provisional government continues war Led by Alexander Kerensky- a Menshevik

Bolshevism Marxists in Russia split into Bolsheviks (radicals) and Mensheviks (Moderates) in 1903 What is Marxism? What is Communism? Talk with your partner

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) Exiled in 1897 Living in Switzerland Germany pays to return him to Russia- they hope he will foment revolution to exit Russia from the war A Russian general named Kornilov attempted to overthrow government; Kerensky releases Bolsheviks from prison to help him stop it

November Revolution (1917) Soviet- Workers collective Petrograd (St Petersburg) Soviet is full of radicals who want to change the government and leave the war Lenin and Leon Trotsky (had respect of the army) launch a coup and replace provisional government Bolsheviks even assassinate Royal Family

Communist Revolution “All Power to the Soviets” “Peace, Bread and Land” Bolsheviks change name to Communist Party Private property is abolished Complete change of society attempted; “War Communism” is a radical attempt for the state to control economy

Russian Civil War (1917-1920) Catastrophic civil war “Reds” “Whites” Bolshevik forces led by Leon Trotsky “Whites” Loose confederation of anti-Bolshevik forces Royalists, supporters of provisional government, less-radical communists Supported by many foreign governments including allied powers and Germany Third parties “Greens” and other non-affiliated groups More and less radical leftist groups, peasants, parts of the army and national independence groups

New Economic Policy War claims up to 12 million lives (mostly civilians) Bolsheviks win and establish the USSR- United Soviet Socialist Republics Disaster of economy shows Lenin that he needs to adapt Communism to changing times NEP wants to establish “State Capitalism”- kind of like China’s current system Opposition from leftist leaders like Trotsky NEP seems to be working, but it does establish some “elite capitalist” classes

Death of Lenin Lenin dies in 1924, leaving a power vacuum There is a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin for domination of the USSR

Who will lead? Trotsky Stalin “Revolution before Socialism” Sees worldwide communist revolution as necessary to establish socialism Wants to firmly establish socialism in the USSR More interest in building the USSR to a great power

Stalin’s Russia Stalin becomes dictator of USSR Exiles Trotsky in 1928 Begins implementing socialism rapidly; persecutes capitalist “kulaks” who were enriched by the NEP 5 year plan