Timeline 1855 Crimean War 1861 Alexander II frees the Serfs 1881 Alexander II assassinated by terrorists 1887 Aleksandr Ulyanov tries to assassinate Alexander III 1904 Russo-Japanese War 1905 Bloody Sunday 1906 Duma is dissolved 1914 World War I 1917 March Revolution 1917 November Revolution

On the brink of a REAL Revolution RUSSIA in 1917 On the brink of a REAL Revolution

By 1917 A major crisis was bound to happen WHY????

The Russian people have a lot to complain about Failed revolts Unfair society Everyone wants land! Losing WWI

Unfair Society Czar Nicholas II – a really bad absolute ruler People were poor and hungry while he lived a wealthy life Political parties banned Critics ended up in prison or Siberia Press was censored

Yet Many Russians worshipped the Czar Peasants typically had a picture of the Czar on a wall of their hut.

Unfair Society 85% were poor peasants farmers 14% were poor factory workers 60%+ = illiterate Life expectancy = 40

Everyone wants land! Most of the land was owned by the old nobility The best land was owned by the old nobility. Famine is a constant problem!

Losing WWI In 1914 Russia entered the war It had drafted a massive army BUT faced problems! It was badly equipped It was poorly led by bad generals By 1917 One Million dead

Ready to revolt

Failed revolts Unfair society Everyone wants land! Losing WWI So by 1917 The people ready for a real revolt because they are FUEL’ed Failed revolts Unfair society Everyone wants land! Losing WWI

Nicholas II takes charge of the army

Czar Nicholas II

Czarina Alexandra

Czarina Alexandra and her sick son Alexei She’s a German – public doesn’t trust her He has haemophilia

Pokrovskoe A small town in Siberia

Rasputin

Rasputin

Felix Yusupov

Purishkevic

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Failed revolts Unfair society Everyone wants land! Losing WWI So by 1917 The people are FUEL’ed Failed revolts Unfair society Everyone wants land! Losing WWI And the government is a mess thanks to Rasputin and Alexandra