The Russian Revolution

terms to define Bolshevik collectivization kulaks purges totalitarianism Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Other terms to Know Politburo - principle policy making committee of the communist party in Russia Commissar - An official in the communist party who was responsible for education. The Commissar kept an eye on every department for Stalin (including the military and police) NKVD - was the leading secret police organization of the Soviet Union that was responsible for repressions during Stalinism Gulag - the government agency that administered the penal labor camps. Often found in the cold harsh climate of Siberia Red Army - military arm of the Bolsheviks created by Trotsky White Army - loyal to the Czar. Would fight with British, American, and Canadian soldiers to defeat communism

Gulags

The Causes Czar Nicholas II failed to win a victory against the Japanese in 1905 Bloody Sunday - Bread riots break out in the streets . The Czar sends in the troops. Over 200 are killed.

Causes Continued- Tannenberg Russia entered the war in 1914 They would suffer a humiliating defeat at the battle of Tannenberg 95000 captured 30 000 killed 500 heavy guns captured

Russian Society 85% Peasant farmers 100 years behind in industrialization (i.e.: no hospitals, roads, running water) Czar’s ruled their people with an Iron Fist Wealth concentrated in 1%of society

Issues with the Czar Married a German princess His heir was deathly ill they be friend the strange and morally repugnant Rasputin, who supposedly used magic to heal the Czar’s son

the end of the Romonav Dynasty The Czar had failed against Japan and now against the Germans The army, the only thing that he could oppress the masses with, no longer would follow his orders. March 15th, 1917 he steps down from the throne

The Provisional Government Alexander Kerensky would Lead the new government (Duma = Russian Parliament Failed to gain victories in the war Failed to give land to the Peasants Revolutionary fever was beginning to grow (France all over)

Vladimir Lenin Germans sneak a Russian Revolutionary into Russia His Bolsheviks will grow from 20 000 in April to 200 000 in the fall They would be known as the Red Army and they were becoming the voice of the people

Russian Army Revolts The Russian army was still suffering heavy casualties at the front Lavr Kornilov marches the Russian army on the Provisional government in Moscow Kerenski needs help to save Russia from a dictator. He turns to Lenin and the Red Army Kerenski gives the Bolsheviks positions of power in the government

The October Revolution More and more people upset with the lack of success of the new government. It was time for the Bolsheviks to strike Lenin promised land, an end to the war and bread In October the Bolsheviks seize the telegraphs, radio, train stations, newspapers and police stations Kerenski fled but Lenin and Trotsky would fight a five year civil war to firmly establish communism in Russia

Impact Of the Revolution By 1922 the Communists in firm control USSR until 1992 By the end of WW2 the USSR will make up one of the Superpowers that will polarize politics for the last 50 years of the 20th Century

The Bolsheviks

Vladimir Lenin Mastermind of the Bolshevik take over of Russia First Head of the Soviet State Lenin demonstrated a chilling disregard for the sufferings of his country men and crushed all opposition

Josef Stalin Took over from Lenin Ruthless, killing millions of his own people that stood in his way Responsible for building the Soviet Union into a Superpower and building the war machine that would lead to the defeat of the Nazi’s

Leon Trotsky He was Lenin’s right hand man in the take over of Russia Made war commissar and built the Red Army Stalin, with the help of the NKVD, turns the party against him and he escapes to Mexico Stabbed with an ice pick in Mexico by an NKVD agent in 1939

Lavrenty Beria Stalin’s Little Spy