The Aftermath of WWI Russian Revolution SS6H7a: Describe major developments following World War I: The Russian Revolution

A few terms to know…

Russia: A Background Nicholas II – autocratic and ineffective He ruled a country covering one-sixth of the earth’s total land surface He had massive personal wealth He was backed by an army of 1 million and secret police Political parties banned – critics ended up in prison or exile Press was censored

Russia: A Background Many Russians worshipped the Czar and peasants typically had a picture of the Czar on a wall of their hut. His word was law He appointed his ministers But did not have to listen to them AND could ‘hire and fire’ them at will He was a true autocrat.

Russia was… Only 40% ethnic Russians 80% were peasants – subsistence farmers 60%+ = illiterate Life expectancy = 40 Low tech and low investment Land ownership rare Land owned by the Commune It also organized taxes and allotted strips of land to each household

Russian Revolution In 1917, Russia went through a revolution. A revolution is a big change of power in short amount of time. Poor people in Russia (serfs) were unsatisfied with their lives because of poverty and starvation. They blamed the rich ruling class of Russia and demanded the Czar (King) step down The Czar of Russia (King) was Nicholas II

Russian Revolution This took place in 1917. WWI had made the poor even poorer They took over the Russian Government and killed Nicholas II and his whole family, ending the 300 year Romanov Dynasty.

Russian Revolution After the Revolution, a Communist group known as the Bolsheviks took over Communism is a system in which people cooperate to survive. The leader of the Bolsheviks was Vladimir Lenin

Russian Revolution Lenin and the Bolsheviks make Russia a Communist country and change the name. Russia becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics No Russian King Czar Nicholas II Romanov The Russians took over the government and killed Czar Nicholas II and his family. Bolsheviks Poor people in Russia They were unsatisfied with their lives because of poverty and starvation. Vladimir Lenin Took over the government and killed Czar Nicholas II and his family. Communist 1917 USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics No Communist

How the Russian Revolution paved the way for future conflict and domination… • Russia had: WWI debt, loss of land and goods, & 10 million war causalities • Bad leadership (autocracy/Czar Nicholas II) led Russia into a deep social and economic depression –Chaos & riots –HUGE Class Divisions (wealthy upper class get richer and are in charge, while poor lower class get even poorer and can’t survive. No one in middle.) • THEREFORE, when Lenin and Bolsheviks gave the option of communism, the citizens accepted the idea!

Peace, Land, and Bread

Russian Revolution

Quick Summary of the Russian Revolution