The Russian Revolution and the End of World War I

Fall of the Czar War - huge burden on Russia Czar Nicholas II (Romanov) Alexandra – influenced by Rasputin Riots, demonstrations Rasputin assassinated 1917 – Nicholas II abdicates his throne (steps down) Ends 300 year Romanov dynasty

The Provisional Government Provisional government created – Alexander Kerensky Continues war Soviets – councils of workers and soldiers Duma – legislature Biggest mistake – kept Russia in the war

Lenin Lenin leads Bolsheviks (Communists) Enemy of tsarist Russia, exiled (why?) Germans helped him return in 1917 to lead Bolsheviks Promised to take Russia out of the war

The Bolshevik Revolution Bolsheviks overthrow government, 1917 Signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk; Russia withdraws from war; loses lots of territory Set-up Communist nation No private property Goal - spread communism International movement Command economy

Civil War Reds – Communists (Lenin and Trotsky) Whites – wanted to get rid of Communists (supported by allied powers) Three years of fighting destroys nation Red army led by Trotsky well organized, disciplined White army disorganized, mixture of various groups (including US)

Civil War The Terror Lenin uses “war communism” 1918 – killed czar and his family Cheka arrested anyone accused of being an “enemy of the revolution” Restricted religion By 1921, Lenin had entire country under Communist control Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)

Ending of World War I 1917-1918 – Russia withdrew at the same time as the U.S. enters Provided supplies and men Convoy system in Atlantic Changes tide of war Armistice signed November 11, 1918 Austria-Hungary broken into independent republics

Peace Settlement Woodrow Wilson’s peace plan: Fourteen Points 14th point – League of Nations No alliances, reduction of armaments, self-determination of nations Saw new world order based on democracy and international cooperation Very different mood at the peace table…..

Versailles 1919 (France) “Big Four” Lloyd George (GB) Clemenceau (France) Wilson (US) Orlando (Italy) France wanted revenge; crush Germany, remove threat forever, payments

The Treaty Harsh treatment of Germany “War Guilt” clause – had to accept blame for war Reparations ($ compensation) for the war ($56 billion) Reduce army to 100,000, reduce navy, no air force Demilitarized or “buffer” zone created

The Treaty League of Nations created – peacekeeping organization New nations out of old empires (Germany, Austria, etc.) Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia U.S. fails to join League – weakens it U.S. and G.B. withdraw from Europe leaving France to stand alone; tensions, revenge WWII is only 20 years away!

Country Men Mobilized Dead Injured Missing/Prisoners % Allied Powers Russian Empire 12,000,000 1,700,000 4,950,000 2,500,000 76 France 8,410,000 1,357,800 4,266,000 537,000 73 British Empire 8,904,500 908,400 2,090,200 191,700 36 Italy 5,615,000 650,000 947,000 600,000 39 United States 4,355,000 126,000 234,300 4,500 8 Romania 750,000 335,700 120,000 80,000 71 Serbia 707,300 45,000 133,100 153,000 47 Belgium 267,000 13,700 44,700 34,700 35 Greece 230,000 5,000 21,000 1,000 12 Portugal 100,000 7,000 13,800 12,300 33 Montenegro 50,000 3,000 10,000 40 Central Powers Germany 11,000,000 1,773,700 4,216,100 1,152,800 65 Austria-Hungary 7,800,000 1,200,000 3,620,000 2,200,000 90 Ottoman Empire 2,850,000 325,000 400,000 250,000 34 Bulgaria 87,500 152,400 27,000 22

Effects of the War Post war flu pandemic kills millions (Spanish flu) Economic opportunities for women and African Americans Inflation and economic problems for Europe Depression, riots, inflation, unemployment, new parties/leaders vying for power Perfect setting for dictatorships to flourish

Effects of WWI cont. German, Russian monarchies toppled Ottoman & Austria-Hungarian empires gone GB and France emerge victorious but politically & economically weakened U.S. emerges strong & prosperous US – “Roaring 20’s” Europe - Disaster