Russian Revolution and End of WWI 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. After several years of bloody stalemate – and the entry of the United States into the conflict – the Allied powers finally prevailed. The peace, however, proved difficult to establish.

Russia and World War I Czar Nicholas II of Russia had promised change after the revolution of 1905, however little change had been seen. A small Marxist group known as the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin wanted to overthrow the czar so that the people could gain power over Russia and rule as a socialist country. The Bolsheviks wanted an elite group to lead the revolution and keep much of the power over Russia. Czar Nicholas had hoped that the war would help unite the country, but Russia’s factories were not able to produce enough military supplies and the military was not prepared to fight. The Russian army was losing many battles and many more soldiers. At home, the economic situation was worsening as famine grew.

The Russian Revolution On March 8, 1917 Russian citizens took to the streets of Petrograd, the Russian capital, to protest the lack of food and fuel. Czar Nicholas II ordered the Russian legislature to disband, but they refused. With the people, the military, and the legislature refusing to listen to the czar it was clear the monarchy was over. The Duma put a provisional government into place, but the Russian people did not feel like it was doing enough to meet their needs. The Bolsheviks were leading the opposition to the provisional government. The October Revolution was led by the Bolshevik Red Guard, armed factory workers, against the Provisional government. Lenin established a communist government quickly making private ownership of land illegal and took control of Russia’s factory system.

After the Revolution After the Revolution Lenin ended Russia’s involvement in WWI but had to accept harsh terms of surrender and give up a large chunk of its empire. The acceptance of these terms upset many Russians deeply and an opposition movement to the Bolsheviks formed called the White Army. The Whites were mainly made up of army leaders, politicians, and wealthy Russians and received some help from Bolshevik’s enemies such as the United States and France. Millions of Russians died in the civil war between the Reds and the Whites before the Bolshevik’s triumphed in 1920. As a result of the civil war many Russians were poor and suffering. Lenin introduced a New Economic Policy that allowed some capitalist activity such as selling food for a profit, to encourage more food production. In 1922, following WWI, Russia joined with several neighboring lands that had been previously a part of the Russian Empire in Eastern Europe. These new countries formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics – or Soviet Union.

The United States Enters WWI America had remained neutral, but that was not easy when Germany was attacking ships that held American passengers. German U-Boats were attacking ships that carried American passengers under the policy of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare that stated that Germany would attack any ship traveling in the waters around Great Britain. The sinking of the Lusitania killing 1200 people including 120 Americans. America complained to Germany urging them not to sink any more ships, Germany agreed. The Zimmerman Note, a note from German diplomat Arthur Zimmerman to officials in Mexico, was discovered and proposed that Mexico attack the United States in return for territories that had been lost in a prior conflict with the United States. In April 1917 the United States joined the Allied Powers.

The End of the Fighting Germany knew that the United States joining the Allied powers could lead to a quick win for the Allied Powers and they would have to act before the United States could mobilize for war. With Russia out of the war Germany focused on the Western Front and was able to push all the way into France about 40 miles outside of Paris. At the Second Battle of the Marne the Allied forces were able to push back the Germans and switch to the offensive. In November 1918 Allied forces were able to push through the German lines and convinced the Germans to accept an armistice, or truce.

A Difficult Peace Woodrow Wilson, the president of the United States, announced his plan for peace called the Fourteen Points. First four points called for open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, removal of trade barricades, and reduction of military arms. 5th point proposed a system to resolve disputes over colonies. Points 6-13 dealt with self determination or the right of people to decide their own political status. 14th point called for the establishment of a League of Nations that would work together to solve disputes, protect democracy, and prevent future wars.

A Difficult Peace The Paris Peace Conference was led by the Big Four: United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy. Germany and the Central powers were not invited to participate. Every nation came to the conference with different needs and expectations. The nations drew up the Treaty of Versailles Military changes: Forced Germany to disarm their military, limited size of the army, and banned them from having an air force. Territory changes: Required Germany to give land to France and other nations, must give up control of colonies to League of Nations. New countries and colonies formed in Europe and the Middle East. War-Guilt Provisions: Germany is solely responsible for all damage to Allied nations during the war, and Germany must pay reparations to Allied nations. Established the League of Nations

The Effects of the War Political Economic The war cost the world’s nations an estimated $332 billion. Farmland and cities were devastated. 8.5 million soldiers died – almost an entire generation of young men. 13 million civilians died. 21.2 million soldiers were wounded. Overthrow of monarchies in various European countries. Rise of the Bolsheviks in Russia. Germany was greatly weakened. New countries and colonies formed in Europe and the Middle East. European colonies in Africa and Asia changed hands. Human Costs