Russian Revolution

What was it? Actually TWO revolutions: 1. February/March of 1917 – overthrow of the Tzar 2. October/November of 1917 – Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution

Why Important? 1. Led to Russia withdrawing from WWI to deal with internal problems. 2. “Communism” put into effect instead of just an “idea.” 3. Conflicting ideologies – communism vs. capitalism – was the reason for the Cold War.

So what is Communism Anyway? Communism is an ECONOMIC system. Part of Karl Marx’s theory of economics. Says that all the “means of production” should be owned by the government for the good of the people – everyone “owns” everything and shares in the profits. Nice ideas – no hunger, everyone works to the “best of their ability,” and everyone gets just what they need. Fails to take into account that we humans are greedy and lazy!

So why did they choose communism? We know it doesn’t work! We know because hindsight is 20/20, but it sounded good to 90% of the Russian population in 1917.

This is the choice they made: Living in abject poverty with no chance of ever advancing! OR... Utopia – everybody has something and no one goes hungry!

Back to the Revolution

Causes of the Revolution The Russian involvement in the Russo- Japanese War, and its ensuing loss brought embarrassment to the country and also decimated its economy. In response to the perceived incompetence of the Russian tsar and the shortage of food and work, the loss of the war led to the Revolution of 1905 that was quickly put down.

Causes of the Revolution Besides the embarrassment and perceived incompetence of the government after the Russo-Japanese war, the citizens of Russia were desperately hungry and landless. Russia relied on an agrarian economy that was outdated and inefficient. The small farming communes had trouble providing enough food for the country, creating massive food shortages.

Causes of the Revolution Factory workers also had to endure long hours, low pay, and horrible working conditions. Strikes for improved situations were often ignored or suppressed. Wartime inflation also caused prices to inflate, causing the already scarce food and goods supply to be unaffordable. Most peasants did not own the land they farmed, causing more resentment towards the government.

Nicholas II ( ) Decided to lead troops into battle during WWI – stupid idea by a stupid man. Forced to abdicate in 1917

Causes of the Revolution The losses and casualties during World War I led people to believe tsar Nicholas II was incompetent. Due to his song, Alexei’s hemophilia the questionable Rasputin was called on to heal him. Russian citizens mistrusted Nicholas’s wife and Rasputin to run the country while the tsar fought the war.

Rasputin Alexandra was heavily under the influence of Rasputin. He was the only one who could bring Alexei some relief. He was murdered in December 1916

World War I: “The Last Straw” Corrupt military leadership had contempt for ordinary Russian people Average peasants had very little invested in the War

World War I Ill-trained, ineffective officers, poorly equipped (Russ. was not ready for war) Result: mass desertions and 2 million casualties by 1915 Result: Chaos and Disintegration of the Russian Army

The Revolutions of 1917 February Revolution (March 8, 1917) Czar Nicholas Abdicates

February Revolution On February 28, 1917, tsar Nicholas II was asked to abdicate the throne. A provisional government took over, led by Alexander Kerensky. The new government supported the war, upsetting the army and the country. Kerensky ordered the arrest of the Bolshevik party, for its anti-war protests.

Then what happens? In April, Vladimir Lenin arrives in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) with the help of the Germans Lenin calls for armed resurrection October 16, 1917/November 6, 1917 (Russian Calendar) Bolsheviks toppled the Provisional gov’t in a coup

October Revolution Lenin led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution under the slogans, “Peace, Land, Bread!” and “All power to the Soviets!” Lenin was elected the head of the Bolshevik part and led the new Russian government through a civil war against all its anti- communist enemies. The Reds or Bolsheviks defeated the Whites or anti- communists.

Treaty of Brest Litovsk—March 3, 1918March Trotsky negotiated it Very Harsh! Lost 32% of the land Lost Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, much of the Ukraine and of Belarussia Lenin didn’t care – this was a capitalist war

Civil War From Reds Whites Creation of USSR Nationalization of all land and banks Millions of Russians died in the fighting and from famines

Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) Lenin wanted to accomplish specific goals with his NEP. They were:  Reduce mandatory food offerings from the peasants  Regulate supply and production (limited capitalism)  Generate money to industrialize  Secure Russia for communism

Lenin’s Death NEP was Lenin’s attempt to help the USSR recover from the devastating Civil War But then Lenin died in 1924 from a stroke He had named no clear successor which led to a power struggle

Who would succeed Lenin? Trotsky – Red Army Commander and Commisar of Foreign Affairs Stalin – Commisar for Nationalities OR

Stalin Stalin rose to power through the use of political alliances to pit his enemies against each other. He would align with one group to discredit another, and then separate himself from that group to discredit it. Stalin became the head of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) in He believed in “Communism in one country” instead of Lenin’s idea to spread communism abroad. He changed Lenin’s NEP to his own Five-Year Plan that designated the desired goals to the Russian economy for the next five years.

Winners and Losers Winners  Communist Party  Some Workers  Massive Literacy Project— all those who learn to read and write  Vastly improved health care—all those who lived longer and healthier  Women had greater opportunities Losers  Poorest peasants  Traditional Russian upper classes  Many of those in traditional Russian middle classes  Those killed or imprisoned because of oppressive regime  Jews, Muslims, other ethnic minorities  Romanovs – the royal family was killed, and their bodies were “secretly” disposed of – led to rumors of their survival  Democracy