What were the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution? Notes #23

Prior to WWI, Russia was ruled by Czar Nicholas II under an absolute monarchy.

During the czar’s rule, his family, nobles, and priests lived well, while the Russian peasants lived in poverty.

The czar entered Russia into WWI, which resulted in Russia suffering heavy military losses and shortages in food and fuel. Rasputin

These conditions helped cause the Russian Revolution, during which the Russian army and peasants revolted and forced the czar to step down.

(which the Bolsheviks later become)  The peasants turned to a revolutionary group known as the Bolsheviks, who were led by Vladimir Lenin. Vladimir Lenin Communist Party flag (which the Bolsheviks later become) 

Lenin and the Bolsheviks gained the peasants’ support by promising “Peace, Bread, and Land” and took over the Russian government.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) After taking control of Russia, Lenin had Russia sign a peace treaty with Germany, ending its involvement in WWI. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)

Lenin based his rule on the communist ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and later had the Bolsheviks change their name to the Communist Party.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991) Lenin and the Communists politically controlled and reorganized Russia, turning it into a federation of socialist republics, called the Soviet Union (or U.S.S.R.). Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991)

Under Lenin, the Communists used violence to force control and eliminate any opposition in the Soviet Union.

After Lenin died, Joseph Stalin became the Soviet Union’s new leader.

NKVD secret police agency Stalin’s leadership of the Soviet Union was a period of censorship and terror. NKVD secret police agency

For example, Stalin used purges and public trials to eliminate any opposition to himself and his government.

Stalin established a command economy in the Soviet Union, in which the government determined the type and quantity of goods produced.

Five-Year Plan propaganda posters Under Stalin’s economic programs, called Five-Year Plans, the Soviet Union increased its industrial output by developing heavy industry. Five-Year Plan propaganda posters

An estimated 14 million people died of starvation in the Soviet Union However, a major effect of Stalin’s economic programs was a widespread food shortage throughout the Soviet Union. An estimated 14 million people died of starvation in the Soviet Union