World History: Unit 4, Chapter 12, Section 3 World War I: revolution in Russia

Main Idea The war and social unrest combined to push Russia to the edge of a revolution. The events that followed led to Russia’s exit from the war and became a major turning point in world history. Question Column What was Russia’s experience in World War I? What were the main events of the Russian Revolution? What major events took place after the Russian Revolution?

Rasputin illiterate and believed insane self proclaimed holy man and healer trusted advisor to Russia’s Czarina Alexandra When Czar Nicholas II was fighting WWI, he helped make decisions on political appointments and military actions December 1916 murdered by nobles for hurting the country

Russia and World War I Russia was a troubled nation economically on the eve of WWI Marxist group known as Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin planned to overthrow Czar in 1914 the war caused economic conditions and patriotism to improve Russian army was unprepared, outdated; Russian transportation inadequate In 1915 Czar Nicholas took control of army, with disastrous results; left wife Czarina Alexandra in control with Grigory Rasputin to advise her

Find the Main Idea: How did World War I affect Russia? Answer(s): poor economic conditions, worker strikes, unpopular czar

The Russian Revolution Revolution: March 8, 1917, the Duma, Russia’s legislature disbanded March 15, Nicholas stepped down; Russian monarchy ended Known as “February Revolution” in Russia Lenin returned in April 1917, with revolutionary idea of Marxism-Leninism (Bolshevism) The “October Revolution” brought communism to Russia, Lenin was the new leader

Summarize: What were the main events of the Russian Revolution? Answer(s): the February Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution

After the Revolution Russia negotiated for peace in WWI but lost large parts of territory, upsetting many Russians the “White Army” opposed the Bolsheviks and the Red Army; a civil war resulted for 3 years Bolsheviks triumphed in 1920 Russian economy boosted in 1921 with Lenin’s “New Economic Policy” 1922: Russian reunited with neighboring land to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Soviet Union Lenin died in 1924, leading to a struggle for control

Sequence: What events took place after the Russian Revolution? Answer(s): The Bolsheviks formed the Red Army which fought against the White Army. The White Army was made up of army leaders, political opponents of the Bolsheviks, and wealthy Russians.