The Russian Revolution: EQ: What caused the Russian Revolution and how did it change the course of European history?

Russia Before the Revolution: (1917) Only Autocratic (one all powerful ruler) left in Europe No type of representative political institutions Russo-Japanese War (1904) – defeat led to pol. instability Most of the population lived in extreme poverty

Failed Revolutions: There were several attempts to topple the Tsars (Kings) -Alexander II-Assassinated in 1881 -Alexander III dies in 1894 (Meningitis or poison) -1905-Result of Bloody Sunday (Duma Established)

Alexandra: The Duma, which was made up of elected officials was ignored by Tsar Nicolas. Instead he listened most to his wife Alexandra She falsely advised him that there was no need to worry about a revolution She hated the peasants and the nobles

Gregor Rasputin: He was treating the Tsar’s son for hemophilia He claimed to be a medicine/religious man Unfortunately, he had many illicit affairs and was a raging drug addict This served to discredit the monarchy

The Impact of WW1: When WW1 broke out, Russia was ill prepared for the war Their losses were terrible Tsar Nicolas went to the front to lead his troops, but he did just as poorly as his generals At home, Alexandra and Rasputin are so corrupt, they are accused of treason Most Russians lost complete faith in the Tsar

The March Revolution (1917): The Mensheviks Origins: Food riots/strikes Duma declared itself a Provisional Government on March12 Tsar ordered soldiers to intervene; instead they joined the rebellion…the Tsar thus abdicated on March 17 the Menshevik Alexander Kerensky headed the Provisional Government, along w/ Prince Lvov

Vladimir Lenin: His Early Years -Exiled to Siberia in 1897 Committed to Class Struggle and Revolution “Peace, Land, Bread” “All Power to the Soviets” He preached that the war was a capitalist/imperialist war that offered no rewards for the peasants/workers Bolshevik party membership exploded

Soviet (Bolshevik) Ideology: More radical and revolutionary than the Provisional Government Most influenced by Marxist socialism Emulated western socialism

The November Revolution (1917): The Bolsheviks Lenin and the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government via civil war Lenin leads the new government All private property was abolished and divided among the peasantry Largest industrial enterprises nationalized

Creating the Soviet Union: Lenin and the Bolsheviks take over their neighbors Political Police organized: CHEKA Revolutionary army created with Trotsky in charge = “Red Army” Bolshevik Party renamed Communist Party in March of 1918 1920: Bolsheviks defeat the Mensheviks

Cause and Effect Chart: Russian Revolution (Drop this Slide by 2/10) Event: Effect: