BELLRINGER Have you ever had to let go of something you wanted to do because of something you had to do? What was the cost? Your response needs to be 4-6 sentences long for each question.

World War I Great War EPISODE THREE The Eastern Front was weakening as morale was rapidly declining. Soldiers had began refusing to fight therefore it was time for Czar Nicolas II to take matters into his own hands – a decision that would change the course of the war and change Russia forever.

The Russian Revolution As a result of World War I in Europe in the early 1900’s – Russia suffered Russian Industries were not developed enough to meet the need for war supplies Transportation system could not supply the armies on the front lines Poorly equipped troops suffered huge losses as a result

Czar Nicholas Romanov II In 1915 Czar Nicolas II decided to take command of the Russian forces. Problem because he understood virtually nothing of military matters. His lack of knowledge and experience only made the situation worse.

Grigory Rasputin Self proclaimed holy man and healer. Was better known as promiscuous, filthy and insane. Czar Nicolas and Czarina Alexandra had an ill son so they turned to Rasputin for help. It was said he eased the boys suffering. He was a common sight at the royal palace and this caused great unrest especially when the Czar left for the front lines.

In the absence of the Czar the rumors got worse In the absence of the Czar the rumors got worse. It was said he was having an affair with Czarina Alexandra and the he was controlling Russia. Rasputin predicted his own death in a letter. He claimed that the Romanov or their relatives, the nobles would kill him and that IF this happened as punishment Czar Nicolas’ entire family would be dead within 2 years after his death. In 1916 a group of Russian nobles planned to kill Rasputin as they saw him as a huge threat. They poisoned him but he lived. So they shot him and yet he STILL lived. Finally, they drowned him in an icy Russian river and this is where he finally died http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4LhGx1YPBs

Revolution! In March 1917 - Angry crowds protested the war and shortage of food Government sends troops to restore order but the troops refuse to fire upon the crowd and some even joined the protesters Czar – abdicated– gave up the throne amid protests. He and his family are arrested and held captive until July of 1918 when they were all shot and murdered less then 2 years after the death of Rasputin.

A provisional government was established and introduced reforms such as: Freedom of speech and religion while calling for a constitution to be written New government was powerless and revolutionaries all over Russia were setting up their own organization to challenge the provisional government •Soviets – councils made up of workers, soldiers, and peasants – were formed all over Russia

The Bolshevik Revolution Bolshevik party called for a socialist revolution – (known as both the Bolshevik Revolution and Russian Revolution) Vladimir Lenin was the brilliant leader who moved to increase their power Lenin won support with the slogan – “Land! Peace! Bread!”

Armed Bolsheviks captured government buildings and arrested members of the provisional government Lenin promised to seek an immediate peace with Germany 1918 – Russia and Germany signed a treaty that marked the end of Russia’s involvement in World War I

The Reign of the Bolsheviks Vladimir Lenin – read the works of Karl Marx and adapted his ideas to fit the conditions in Russia Once in power – Lenin created a Bolshevik dictatorship Lenin destroyed all other political parties in Russia Lenin shut down all opposition newspapers and set up the Cheka – a secret police – to end all resistance to their rule

The Bolsheviks began to call themselves Communists and faced much opposition 1918 – 1921 – Civil War raged in Russia – The Communists were better prepared and organized than opposition groups Leon Trotsky – Set up and trained a Communist army – Known as the Red Army.

Communists and The Red Army Communists and the Red Army – seized grain from peasants and took control of all factories, mines, banks, and businesses Communists win the Civil War and reorganize the country into a union of Four (4) republics. Rename the country the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) – The Soviet Union

New Economic Policies When the civil war ended – USSR was on the verge of economic collapse (disease, famine, destruction) To ease the crisis – Lenin – announced his New Economic Policy (NEP) Government stopped seizing grain from peasants and allowed them to sell their surplus crops on the open market. Government controlled heavy industry but allowed some private businesses to operate.

PUT YOUR NOTES AWAY

Be sure to put your name and class period on it. Exit Ticket In order to exit the room you must answer the following questions: 1. Name the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution. 2. Next, explain how the absence of Russia in the war effected Germany. Use the index card provided and turn in to Mrs. Ellwanger. Be sure to put your name and class period on it.