RUSSIAN REVOLUTION *Pre-Revolution*

Russian Government before the Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, no political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

Czar Nicolas II in his family

Bloody Sunday – Jan. 22nd 1905 A group of workers led by the radical priest marched to the czar’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to make their demands. Imperial forces opened fire on the demonstrators, killing and wounding hundreds. Strikes and riots broke out throughout the country in outraged response to the massacre, to which Nicholas responded by promising the formation of a series of representative assemblies to work toward reform.

The Bolsheviks small Marxist group wanted to change life in Russia leader = Vladimir Lenin goal = overthrow czar Vladimir Lenin  wanted to establish a Communist social system, “in which there would be no economic classes & no private property

The Bolsheviks if czar was overthrown, industrial workers could govern Russia

Russia & WWI Czar Nicholas II hoped war would unite Russia & stop talk of revolution patriotism & nationalism increased rapidly @ start of war, Russia had 6M soldiers  people rushed from across country to join the army

Russia & WWI Russia was not ready for war Russia lacked: factories/supplies – could not produce quickly enough transportation system – hard move to troops and equipment modern equipment – weapons were outdated smart military leaders – officers were promoted based on their personal connections Factories were unable to produce ammunition & other supplies quickly enough for the huge army Transportation system was weak, making it hard to move troops & equipment to right places @ right times Equipment (weapons, etc) was outdated Military leaders = poor quality  “officers advanced on basis of personal connections” (nepotism)

Conditions Worsen 1915  Nicholas II took command of Russian military – even though he was not qualified to lead the army if Russia failed in WWI, so would Nicholas II – His country would not be pleased with him Nicholas II wasn’t qualified to lead army but he led it because if Russia failed in the war, he knew he would lose his country

Conditions Worsen food & other goods grew scarce peasants grew desperate Nicholas II went to war left Czarina Alexandra in charge (unpopular) Alexandra took advice from Grigory Rasputin (corrupt/immoral) a “self-proclaimed holy man” Most of the political appointments & military actions he gave advice on were disastrous Russian army had been doing badly before Nicholas II took over an offensive was defeated  soldiers lost faith in leaders & army seemed doomed Czarina was unpopular with the people of Russia to make matters worse, she relied on Grigory Rasputin, a “self-proclaimed holy man” for advice. Rasputin was seen as corrupt & immoral by many Russians, especially because most of the political appointments & military actions he gave advice on were disastrous

Rasputin

Revolution Begins

Revolution Begins March 8, 1917  (Capital) Petrograd, Russia unhappy citizens marched police & soldiers disobeyed orders to stop the riot the Duma (Russia’s legislature) defied Nicholas II March 15, 1917  Nicholas II forced to abdicate – His family was murdered. Petrograd was the capital at the time citizens marched in Petrograd the police & soldier disobeyed orders to shoot the rioters Nicholas II ordered Duma to disband, but they disobeyed Nicholas II’s family was murdered by ??

Temporary Government The Duma established temporary government many Russians didn’t like this government Bolsheviks wanted basic changes: Lenin was still leader Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917 -> he had been out of the country because of his revolutionary ideas Germany helped Lenin return because they hoped he would stir up Russia & weaken their effort in the war Kerensky’s government wanted to continue fighting against the Central Powers many Russians disliked this because it was a big burden on the country Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917  he had been out of the country because of his revolutionary ideas Germany helped Lenin return because they hoped he would stir up Russia & weaken their effort in the war

Bolshevik Revolution mid-1917  Duma government was still fighting Central Powers in WWI Russian army was weak & collapsed November 1917  Bolshevik Red Guard attacked the Duma government Red Guard was made up of Bolshevik factory workers Red Guard was made up of Bolshevik factory workers

Bolshevik Revolution The Duma government didn’t put up much of a fight – nearly bloodless struggle Lenin established radical communist program private ownership = illegal (land, livestock, and factories) land redistributed to peasants nearly bloodless struggle Private ownership of land, livestock, factories, etc. was illegal

After the Revolution Lenin wanted to end involvement in war Leon Trotsky was sent to negotiate with Central Powers Trotsky was a top Bolshevik official Russia lost much land to Central Powers because of lack of strong military Trotsky was a top Bolshevik official

Civil War some Russians disliked the negotiations & their results opponents of Bolsheviks = “White Army” army leaders political opponents wealthy Russians *France & United States supported White Army (they feared the increasing power of a communist system) they didn’t like losing land/power/wealth France & US supported Whites, probably because they feared the increasing power of a communist system **Why might wealthy Russians dislike a communist system? **Remember, a communist system gathers all resources & redistributes them equally

Civil War Ends Red Army vs. White Army late 1920  Bolsheviks triumph fighting & famine cost millions of lives late 1920  Bolsheviks triumph 1921  New Economic Policy: plan permitting some capitalist activity - effected farmers especially (encouraged food production) - helped restore economy Red Army = Bolsheviks/communists White Army = opponents Lenin established a New Economic Policy  effected farmers especially (encouraged food production)  helped restore economy **What do you think about that? A communist country using a capitalist plan to get back on its feet & then disregarding it? What does it say about communism? Does it say that communism isn’t a good enough plan, if it can’t start from scratch?

the Soviet Union 1922  economy began to improve 1922  Russia reunited with neighboring lands that had belonged to Russian Empire became Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union Soviet Union will remain until 1991 Soviet Union will remain until 1991