The Russian Revolution Mr. Bach Accelerated World History

Pre-Revolutionary Russia Majority of Russians are peasants (who had just been freed in 1861) Majority of Russians are peasants (who had just been freed in 1861) Jewish Russians are persecuted by the Tsars in pogroms Jewish Russians are persecuted by the Tsars in pogroms

The Last Tsar – Nicholas II Incapable and disconnected ruler. Incapable and disconnected ruler.

Problem #1: Industrial Gap Cannot industrialize like Europe Cannot industrialize like Europe –All industries are state- owned

Problem #2: Russo-Japanese War Humiliating defeat for Russia at the hands of the Japanese Humiliating defeat for Russia at the hands of the Japanese Displays the weakness of the Tsar Displays the weakness of the Tsar

Problem #3: Bloody Sunday Tsarist soldiers kill hundreds of peasants in a peaceful protest Tsarist soldiers kill hundreds of peasants in a peaceful protest Leads to the creation of the Duma (parliamentary body) Leads to the creation of the Duma (parliamentary body)

Problem #4: World War I Casualties and economic damage of WWI will greatly weaken the Tsarist regime Casualties and economic damage of WWI will greatly weaken the Tsarist regime Tsar increasingly ignores the Duma – angering the aristocracy Tsar increasingly ignores the Duma – angering the aristocracy

Problem #5: Rasputin Tsar leaves his wife in charge with the “mad monk” Rasputin ruling behind the throne. Tsar leaves his wife in charge with the “mad monk” Rasputin ruling behind the throne. Further undermines confidence in the Tsarist government Further undermines confidence in the Tsarist government

The Murder of Rasputin Rasputin is murdered by members of the aristocracy Rasputin is murdered by members of the aristocracy Tsarist government in shambles Tsarist government in shambles

March Revolution (1917) In response to bread riots in St. Petersburg, the Duma declares a Provisional Government. In response to bread riots in St. Petersburg, the Duma declares a Provisional Government. Nicholas II abdicates (end of Romanov Dynasty) Nicholas II abdicates (end of Romanov Dynasty)

Provisional Government Decides to continue in WWI. Decides to continue in WWI. Must share power with the strong Petrograd Soviet Must share power with the strong Petrograd Soviet

Army Order No. 1 Petrograd Soviet gives common soldiers control over the Russian army. Petrograd Soviet gives common soldiers control over the Russian army. Undermines the ability of the Russian army to continue the war. Undermines the ability of the Russian army to continue the war. Peasants start to desert the army and seize land from the weak aristocracy. Peasants start to desert the army and seize land from the weak aristocracy.

The Return of a Revolutionary Lenin is sent back to Russia (by Germany) to undermine the Provisional Government. Had been exiled. Lenin is sent back to Russia (by Germany) to undermine the Provisional Government. Had been exiled.

Marxism -> Leninism #1: Socialism can ONLY be established through VIOLENCE. #1: Socialism can ONLY be established through VIOLENCE. #2: A socialist revolution could occur in an undeveloped country (Peasant Army) #2: A socialist revolution could occur in an undeveloped country (Peasant Army) #3: The leadership must be a group of elitist intellectuals to protect the revolution. #3: The leadership must be a group of elitist intellectuals to protect the revolution.

Split in Russian Socialists Bolsheviks = believe in a party of intellectual elites Bolsheviks = believe in a party of intellectual elites Mensheviks = believe in a massive party of popular representation Mensheviks = believe in a massive party of popular representation Bolsheviks seize control of Petrograd Soviet (Red October 1917) Bolsheviks seize control of Petrograd Soviet (Red October 1917)

November 1917 Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government and seize control of country. Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government and seize control of country. Lenin promises “Peace, Bread, and Land.” Lenin promises “Peace, Bread, and Land.” Bolsheviks renamed the Communist Party Bolsheviks renamed the Communist Party

Lenin’s Right Hand Man Leon Trotsky Leon Trotsky Organizes the military branch of the Communist Party (Red Army) Organizes the military branch of the Communist Party (Red Army)

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Lenin creates “hard” peace with Germany and loses 1/3 of its population. Lenin creates “hard” peace with Germany and loses 1/3 of its population. Communist seizure of power and harsh peace create Russian Civil War. Communist seizure of power and harsh peace create Russian Civil War.

White Russians vs. Red Russians

Cheka – Secret Police Lenin uses the old Tsarist Secret Police to eliminate enemies of the revolution and secure power. Lenin uses the old Tsarist Secret Police to eliminate enemies of the revolution and secure power.

End of the Romanovs

Red Russian Victory Creation of a new nation Creation of a new nation Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

Problem: Who Will Take Over? OR

Ravages of the Civil War Civil War destroys the Soviet Union and creates starvation. Civil War destroys the Soviet Union and creates starvation. Lenin creates New Economic Plan (NEP) Lenin creates New Economic Plan (NEP) –Peasants can sell surplus on a free market

Rise of Stalin Takes over by killing off all rivals (especially Trotskyites) Takes over by killing off all rivals (especially Trotskyites)

End of NEP Stalin creates 5 Year Plans Stalin creates 5 Year Plans –Return to “pure” socialism –Need to catch up with West Collectivized Agriculture Collectivized Agriculture –Need to guard against the growth of wealthy peasants.

Kulaks and the Ukrainian Famine Kulaks = “wealthy” peasants Kulaks = “wealthy” peasants –Stalin targets them for “liquidation” Ukrainian Famine Ukrainian Famine –Man-made famine in the Ukraine caused by Stalin’s agricultural policies –6 million die

The Gulags Political enemies sent to forced labor camps Political enemies sent to forced labor camps

Rise of the Totalitarian State KGB – Secret Police KGB – Secret Police Heavy propaganda and censorship Heavy propaganda and censorship State controls all business, education – basically everthing. State controls all business, education – basically everthing.