Russian Revolution An Overview

Life under the Czar Most people in Russia were poor peasants called serfs who lived on land owned by wealthy landowners Students protests, peasant revolts, and worker strikes were common

1905 Russian Revolution mass political unrest some of it was directed against the government –some was undirected –included terrorism, worker strikes, peasant unrests, and military mutinies October Manifesto of 1905 Guaranteed freedom of conscience, speech, assembly, and the press Duma was established Soviets developed –Committees of workers

So a constitution is granted. Freedom of assembly is granted but the assemblies are surrounded by the military. Freedom of speech is granted, but the censorship exists as before. Freedom of knowledge is granted, but the universities are occupied by troops. Inviolability of the person (freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment) is granted, but the prisons are overflowing with the incarcerated.... A constitution is given, but the autocracy remains. Everything is given— and nothing is given.” Leon Trotsky

Life under the Czar The Russo-Japanese War in ended in a humiliating defeat for Russia and showed that Czarist rule was weak and disorganized.

Life under the Czar World War I brought great suffering to the Russian people –It brought shortages in housing, food, and fuel –Russian armies were ill-equipped and were soundly defeated – 1.7 million killed, 5 million injured.

The Romanovs

Romanov Family Tree

Rasputin “The Mad Monk ” “Holy man” Presented to Alexandra in 1905 Murdered December 17, 1915

March Revolution 1917 Bread riots (gov. had rationed bread Soldiers sent to end the violent protests, side with the demonstrators Czar Nicholas is forced to resign (abdicate) Bloodless revolution Provisional government set up with Kerensky in charge Keeps Russia in the war

Germany takes advantage of Russian unrest Germany knows USA coming to Western front; wants to get rid of Russians on Eastern front Helps exiled Lenin to return after 17 yrs.

November Revolution 1917 Wages increased between revolutions Cost of food and other necessities increased at a higher rate –On an average, food increased in price 556 %, or 51 % more than wages. –On an average the above categories of necessities increased about 1,109 %, in price, more than twice the increase of salaries Bolsheviks take power over the Provisional gov.

November Revolution 1917

Civil War breaks out – Reds vs. Whites Bolsheviks prevail through shear brutality – even when they are out numbered. Vladimir Lenin leads the revolution based upon his own interpretations of the writings of Karl Marx

Taken in 1920 Used in 1924 Lenin Withdrew from WWI Treaty of Brest- Litovsk Signed March 3, 1918

November Revolution 1917

Civil War Mid-1918 to end of 1919 Reds—Bolsheviks Whites—anti-Bolsheviks –Pro-tsar –Allies from WWI

Whites’ view Western view Trotsky

The entire royal family was murdered July 16, 1918

Why Bolsheviks Won Held critical industrial areas “Patriots” because didn’t depend on foreigners Superior capacity for organization Peasants fear of White restoration (loss of land) more than they hated Bolsheviks

Marxism Believed humanity was changing, Industrialization was to blame. Horrified by working conditions. Capitalists were getting richer than workers creating a significant gap between the two Believed one of the following would happen: –Rich must distribute wealth –A worker led violent revolution

Leninism Lenin fascinated by industrialization, wanted to bring that to Russia Differed from Marx in his belief that the world wide communist revolution had to be led by a power elite forcing it forward – not just the common man.

Leninism Communist Party was the only party allowed. The use of force and terror through the secret police (Cheka) was necessary and good for the cause Used slogans, include “Bread, Land, Peace and All Power to the Soviets.” The New Economic Policy – 1921 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic

–Died January 21, 1924 Assassination attempt in 1918 Strokes in 1922/23 Semi-paralyzed Unable to speak or write Lenin’s Death

Believed Leon Trotsky should replace him as leader. Trotsky had successfully lead Red Army against the White Army. Had a vision of the Soviet Union in line with Lenin. He wanted to focus on agriculture.

Warned comrades to depose Stalin as Party Secretary Lenin’s Death

Lenin believed that Stalin could not handle the power that came with leadership. Stalin believed in the industrialization of the nation. Stalin takes control, has Trotsky killed.

Where’s Trotsky?