The Russian Revolution

Before World War I, Russia was controlled by Czar Nicholas II, who was the emperor of Russia. He controlled everything that happened in his country. Many people were serfs, which meant that they were very poor and had no freedom.

Russia joined World War I in 1914 because the czar wanted to help Serbia. People were very unhappy about this because many soldiers (almost 2 million) were dying in the war.

People were also unhappy because they didn’t have enough food to eat or coal to heat their homes. So they decided to start a revolution. A revolution is a huge and sudden change in government.

People started the revolution because they wanted food, coal, and to get out of the war. The revolution happened in February 1917. A group of people named the Bolsheviks did not like the new government.

Communists told the workers that they should fight against their leader for power. They promised the people food, land, and bread. The Communist were led by Vladimir Lenin. He started a second Revolution in October 1917.

The second revolution was much more violent than the first Revolution. It started a civil war, which is when people in the same country are fighting against each other. Some people liked the Communists and some people wanted the Czar back.

The civil war lasted for about 4 years and ended in 1920. Lenin changed Russia into the USSR, or Soviet Union. He died in 1924, and Josef Stalin became the new leader.

Stalin became a dictator, so he had complete control over everything. The Russians had gone from czar to dictator. They still did not have their freedom.