Revolutions in Russia Chapter 1 The Fall & Rise

Oppressive Rulers in Russia Russia had a tradition of oppressive rulers Organized violence against Jews Strict censorship (including on private letters) Absolute authority Only Russian language was to be spoken, except by the nobility who also spoke French Only worship the Russian Orthodox Church Secret Police

The Last Czar In 1894, the last Russian Czar, Nicholas II came to power. He was committed to keeping total control over Russia.

Who was Nicholas II? Personality Uncharismatic, quiet, disliked large crowds Lives the life of a private wealthy monarch Politics The Czar’s usual nickname: the people’s “little father” – Nicholas doesn’t act the part Left most state affairs to his ministers

Who was Nicholas II? Religion Family Strong Eastern (Russian) Orthodox faith Family Alexandra (czarina): wife Alexi: son; heir to the throne, weak and sickly Anastasia: famous “missing” daughter

Conditions Lead to Revolution Rapid industrialization stirs up discontent Bad working conditions, low wages, child labor, and no labor unions led to strikes 6

Conditions lead to Revolution Marxism- radical form of socialism where all aspects of industry are owned by the government Ideas of Karl Marx establish Revolt Proletariat- working class Marxist believed proletariat would overthrow czar …this meant the working class would rule the country 7

Conditions lead to Revolution Marxists split into two groups over revolutionary tactics Mensheviks= moderates wanting popular support of revolution Bolsheviks=radical revolutionaries willing to sacrifice everything for change 8

Vladimir Lenin Leader of the Bolsheviks Very organized Ruthless Fled to western Europe to avoid arrest by the czarist regime Maintained contact with the Bolsheviks Father of the revolution 9

Chapter 2 Troubles a Brewin’ Revolutions in Russia Chapter 2 Troubles a Brewin’

Workers were Growing Angry Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin pushed for revolution Lenin continued to build his influence until it was safe to return to Russia …meanwhile…

Problems Nicholas Faced Russo-Japanese defeat looked very bad. Bloody Sunday -Jan 1905, 200,000 workers and their families protested the czars winter palace -Wanted job reforms -Nicholas ordered soldiers to fire in the crowd -1,000+ wounded several hundred killed -Event provoked riots

WWI causes more problems Suffering caused by WWI was the final blow against the czar’s rule 4 million Russian soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured Czar lost control of Russia Soldiers refused to fight People were starving Russia had withdrawn from the war…

The monarchy loses control 1915 Nicholas moved his headquarters to the war front- hoped to rally troops His wife, Alexandra was left in charge of the country Put all her trust and power in Rasputin- a self proclaimed “holy man” 1916 a group of nobles murdered Rasputin Neither Nicholas or Alexandra proved capable of tackling these enormous problems.

Chapter 3 Losing Control Revolutions in Russia Chapter 3 Losing Control

Nicholas Loses Control! Nicholas soon lost control. Strikes, revolts and protests led to the March Revolution of 1917. Czar Nicholas stepped down.

THE MARCH REVOLUTION Women who worked in factories in Petrograd(St. Petersburg) stood in line after a 12 hour shift to purchase insanely priced bread. 10,000 women marched withthe slogan “Peace and Bread” The women were joined by other workers creating a general strike. Czar’s solution was to fire upon the crowds but the soldiers joined the movement instead! &

Nic has to step down... 1917- Czar Nicholas is forced to abdicate his throne The three century czarist rule of the Romanov’s finally collapsed Year later revolutionaries executed Nicholas and his family March Revolution succeeded in bringing down the Czar yet it failed to set up a strong government to replace it

Provisional Government Someone needed to rule… Provisional government was established, (Provisional= temporary) headed by Alexander Kerensky. Continued fighting WWI BAD idea lost support

Angry Peasants Demanded land City workers grew more radical Soviets were formed local city councils consisting of workers, peasants, and soldiers A political challenge erupted from local “Soviets” Later, this group became stronger and were labeled as “Bolsheviks.”

Chapter 4 Bolshevik Revolution Revolutions in Russia Chapter 4 Bolshevik Revolution

Lenin Returns to Russia German military leaders shipped Lenin to Russia from Switzerland by rail to “create disorder” within Russia. Germany arranged Lenin’s return to Russia after many years in exile April 1917: Traveled in a sealed railroad boxcar

BOLSHEVIKS REFLECT THE PEOPLES’ NEEDS AND DISCONTENT Lenin revitalized slogans from the mad mother’s march to influence Russians “Peace, Land, Bread” Nov. 1917- armed workers took control of government offices. Kerensky’s reign had ended .

BOLSHEVIKS SEIZE POWER A COUP WITHOUT BLOODSHED - Lenin takes over the provisional government at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on November 6, 1917. Bolsheviks renamed themselves the Communists after Marxist ideas. Lenin had promised peace so he signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk which took Russia out of WWI

Execution of the Romanovs A year after the Czar abdicated the entire royal family was murdered 25

Bolsheviks Have Power Lenin ordered that all farmland be divided up amongst peasants and that workers take control of the factories. He signed a truce with the Germans (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) in March 1918. The treaty got them out of the war, but it also meant a large loss of land. This made many Russians angry and they disliked the Bolsheviks and their policies. This led to a civil war between the Bolsheviks and the people who wanted the autocracy (tsar) back.

New Economic Policy After the war the economy was a disaster. In March 1921 Lenin began the New Economic Policy (NEP). He allowed peasants to sell excess crops for profit instead of turning them over to the government. Individuals were allowed to buy and sell goods for profit. This went against the ideas of communism, but helped get the economy back on track.

Extra Credit Movie Recommendation: Dr. Zhivago Based on a novel of the 1950s by Boris Pasternak Tells the story of one man’s life and disillusionment with WWI, the Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War Classic, slow, beautiful; not a modern action film! http://youtu.be/E6raF7kcJJs