Revolution in Russia What happened to Russia during WW I?

Background: Just read…. In the first half of the 1800s, Russia was one of the great powers of Europe. Russian troops helped defeat Napoleon, and Russia’s leaders helped reorganize Europe after his fall. Yet Russia was different from Europe’s other powers. The Russian Empire was HUGE! It stretched eastward far into Asia and included many different ethnic groups.

So…. To govern this large and diverse empire, Russian monarchs ruled with absolute power. They were called czars and had control over most aspects of Russian life. The czars believed in autocracy, or government by one ruler with unlimited power. Russian society under the czars was mainly agricultural. Unlike many other countries in Europe, Russia had NOT industrialized very much. Much of the country’s population consisted of peasants. Many of these Russian peasants were serfs - agricultural workers who were considered part of the land on which they worked.

How bad was it for the serfs? Controlled by lords, the wealthy nobles who owned the land Technically, NOT slaves because they were not legally considered property However, poor living conditions and lack of freedom resembled slavery – Were not allowed to leave the property on which they were born – They did not own the land they worked – Had to make regular payments of both goods and labor to their lords

Reform and Repression 1776: American Revolution 1789: French Revolution Russians wanted more freedom and democracy. Conservative czars were resistant to reform, which led to revolts, unrest, and repression.

The Decembrist Revolt: 1825 Assembled near the Winter Palace Publicly refusing to declare their allegiance to Czar Nicholas I Crushed by Nicholas Captured Decembrists sent to Siberia Failed but began revolutionary movement that would grow…

Reforms of Alexander II Ruled from 1855 – 1881 Freed serfs Allowed peasants to buy land they worked on from the landowner, usually with gov’t help. Not enough – more radical change demanded 1881: a radical group called the People’s Will assassinated Czar Alexander II

Alexander III: this apple fell far from the tree! Son of Alexander II Ruled from 1881 – 1894 Was a reactionary: one who wants to go back to the way things were in the past Ended the reforms of his father (like, look where it got him!) Used secret police and censorship to quell unrest Did nothing to stop widespread pogroms when Jews were wrongly blamed for the assassination of Alexander II

Industrialization & Nicholas II Crowned in 1894 “Like father like son” Ruled as an autocrat Began building the Trans- Siberian Railroad in the late 1890s to link western Russia with Siberia Expansion threatened another imperial power, Japan!

WAR!!!!! Japanese attacked in Russo –Japanese War resulted in a Russian defeat. Added to growing unrest and calls for change!

Here comes Marxism… Marxists want a socialist republic: society with NO private property and where the state would collectively own and distribute goods. 1902: Vladimir Lenin, a Marxist, called for revolutionaries to rise up “against the shame and the curse of Russia.”

The Revolution of 1905 Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg January 22, 1905 Led by Father Gapon, a priest, who planned to bring a petition (of demands) to the czar at the Winter Palace. Were fired upon with hundreds dying. Became known as Bloody Sunday Death in the Snow by Vladimir Makovsky Unarmed men, women, and children protesting for better working conditions

Reaction: Inspiration of the Masses Workers striked University students protested in the streets Peasants rebelled Czar firmly supported autocracy at first.

October Manifesto A official promise for reform and a more democratic government Promised a constitution to guarantee certain rights – Freedom of speech – Freedom of assembly ***Stated that voters would elect reps to the Duma – an assembly that would approve laws! The Czar would continue to rule Russia but promised not to pass any laws without the approval of the Duma!!!! Czar did NOT want to give up absolute power!!!!!

Summer of 1914 Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Gavrilo Princip is a Serb! Austria-Hungary delivers fateful ultimatum! Russia to the Rescue!!!!!!!

FROM THE REVOLUTION OF 1905 TO WW I IN 1914 Russia and the Great War: A turning point in world history

But who’s in control? The Madman Behind the Throne How could an illiterate peasant control the Russian Empire?

Who was Grigory Rasputin? Filthy Illiterate Believed by some to be insane Was a self-proclaimed holy-man and healer and…. Was a trusted adviser to Czarina Alexandra

Influence on the royal family began in the early 1900s Had a reputation for healing the sick. Was sought by the royals to heal son Alexis – a hemophiliac Seemed to relieve the boy’s suffering Became a common sight at the royal palace

Two Views of Rasputin…. In the presence of the royal family…. Careful to appear as a humble, holy peasant Outside the palace…. Immoral behavior created a scandal – drinking, womanizing, and “wild behavior” aka “The Mad Monk”

What happened next? After Nicholas went off to lead Russia’s armies in WW I, Rasputin became Alexandra’s personal adviser. Helped the Czarina make decisions including political appointments AND military actions. Nearly all were disastrous…

December 16, 1916 Russian nobles plan to kill Rasputin Poisoned and shot, he did NOT die!!!!!! Drowned in an icy river!!!!

Start Copying: Russia and WW I Even before WW I, Russia was troubled. Promised changes never delivered after 1905 Revolution. Economic conditions worsened. Another revolution inevitable.

War begins…. Relief: hopes were high! Nicholas hoped the conflict would united bonded by patriotism. Russia had an enormous army of 6 million soldiers. People flocked to enlist! Reality: ill prepared for war! Factories were NOT able to supply army’s needs. Weak infrastructure – impacted mvt. of troops & equipment Outdated equipment Officers advanced on personal connections – not merit Millions of soldiers were wounded or killed!

From bad to worse…. Czar Nicholas to the Rescue!?!?

Say what? 1915: Czar takes personal command “understood literally nothing about military matters” Clear that his fate was linked to the success of the military operations at hand…. Conditions worsened!

Another Revolution Begins! Seven Days… March 8, 1917 Unhappy citizens protest a lack of food and fuel Sympathetic police and soldiers refuse to shoot! Czar Nicholas II ordered the Duma to disband. The Duma defied the order. March 15: Nicholas II abdicates & the Russian monarchy ends!

Side note March Revolution aka February Revolution in Russia At that time, Russia used an old type of calendar that was 13 days behind the west. Russia adopted the new calendar in 1918.

What next?

The Provisional Government in big trouble! Duma established a temporary- aka provisional – government Many still unsatisfied – wanted Russia out of the war. Bolsheviks led the opposition – Planned to abolish private property – Enforced social equity – Believed that the revolution would go global – Became known as Marxism - Leninism

Bolshevik Revolution Begins! November 1917 (but referred to as the October Revolution) Armed Bolshevik factory workers, known as th Red Guard, attacked the provisional government. Lenin becomes the new leader!

Vladimir Lenin, Decree on Land, October 26, 1917 All private ownership of land is abolished immediately without compensation [payment to the owners]. All landowners’ estates and all land belonging to the Crown, to monastaries, church lands with all their livestock and… property are..are transferred to the disposition [control] of the township Land Committees.

After the Revolution… Lenin keeps promise to get out of war – rally cry “Bread Land Peace.” Trotsky negotiates for peace with the Central Powers. Russia leaves war but loses large chunks of land.

Finally, a time for peace? NO!!!! A time of Civil War!!!! Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty upset many Russians who organize “The White Army.” “Whites” – Army leaders – Political opponents – Wealthy Russians who opposed Communism Whites receive military aid from France and the U.S.

Russian Civil War: Reds vs. Whites Lasts three years Millions die – fighting, starvation (famine) Bolsheviks triumph in late 1920

Russia In Turmoil: A Recap! Match key dates w/ events. After three years of fighting, the Russian Civil War ends. E. Bolshevik gov’t signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk D. Russia enter the Great War A. Czar Nicholas II abdicates and a provisional gov’t is established. B. Lenin, via the Bolshevik Revolution takes over the gov.t C. A. August 1914 B. March 1917 C. November 1917 D. March 1918 E. November 1920

WITH RUSSIA OUT OF WW I, WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?