The Russian Revolution (Part II) “The Beginnings of a Dictatorship”

Results of “Bloody Sunday” Riots occurred in rural areas. In October, 1905, a general strike began. To coordinate the strike, people set up town councils called soviets. Soviets quickly became an alternate form of government.

The October Manifesto Soviets and revolutionary groups like the Bolsheviks, refused to obey the Tsar. They want an elected parliament.

October Manifesto Faced with all these problems, Nicholas had to give way. On October 17, 1905, the Tsar produced a document stating that Russia could have an elected parliament. He also ensured that his people could express their freedom of speech.

The Duma Called the Provisional Government of the Duma, this parliament’s duty was to ensure civil rights to people. The S.R.P was delighted, but the Bolsheviks did not trust Nicholas to keep his word. They were right not to.

1906 In early 1906, the army, under Nicholas’ orders, began arresting and exiling members of the soviets and the Bolsheviks. Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin was sent to Siberia. The Tsar issued a set of fundamental laws saying that he still had absolute power and final say in all the laws.

Russia in World War I Because of a sense of nationalism, when the Great War broke out, Russians eagerly went to war for their country. Unfortunately, the Battle of Tannenburg changed that enthusiasm. Remember, over 1 million Russian casualties occurred in the first year. In 1915, because so many men had been taken from the factories to fight, the economy began to collapse.

Russia in World War I (1915) Farms could not produce food. Often, food that was shipped to the soldiers on the front lines often never made it because no one was able to drive the trains. Nicholas made a decision to go to the Front to command his armies personally and boost morale. This was a mistake.

Rasputin the Monk Because of young Alexis’ hemophilia, Alexandra was always looking for a cure. (The Romanov’s loved their children dearly.) They had good fortune! A mystic from Siberia who claimed to have mysterious healing powers was contacted by the Tsarina and invited to their home. His name was Gregory Rasputin.

Rasputin Rasputin had something mysterious, all right! He was an alcoholic and “womanizer!” However, he did stop the bleeding that Alexis had. While the Tsar was away, Rasputin and Alexandra threw the government into turmoil. Rumors began to spread that they were having an affair. And all the time, people continued to starve.

Rasputin A group of men tried to kill Rasputin. The lured him to a home with the promise of sex and booze. They poisoned him. He survived. They shot him. He survived. They beat him. He survived. They tied him up, placed him in a bag, and threw him into a nearby river. Three days later, his body floated ashore. When they did an autopsy on him, they discovered he had water in his lungs.

Rasputin “The Mad Monk

“Rasputin” by Bony MRasputin” by Bony M

The Tsar Returns In March, 1917, things went from bad to worse. Because of strikes, entire cities were shutting down. Soldiers began mutinying their posts. The Tsar had no choice but to return home. When he arrives outside of Moscow, revolutionaries stop his train and force him to abdicate the throne or be executed. He reluctantly agrees.

The Abdication On March 15, 1917, Tsar Nicholas II abdicates the the throne to his brother, who instead gives up the throne completely. Russia no longer is a monarchy. The Duma is in charge.

Return of Lenin Once the Tsar abdicated, Lenin, the head of the Bolsheviks, returned to Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) with help from the Germans. On April 16, 1917, Lenin arrived and decreed in a statement called the April Thesis, “All Power to the Soviets!”

Power Struggle The Bolsheviks still thought change hadn’t been radical enough. They opposed the Duma and set up their own Soviet instead. A power struggle ensued over who rightfully rules Russia.

The “July Days” In July, riots broke out between the Duma and Soviets. After three days, the Duma prevailed. The new Prime Minister of the Duma, Alexander Kerensky, exiled Lenin once again. In a twist of solidarity, he gave the Bolsheviks the job of defending the Duma. They became known as the Red Army.

Lenin, AGAIN! By September, the Duma was losing strength to the Communist ideals of the Bolsheviks. In October, Lenin once again returns, for good. He demand a violent revolution to overthrow the government. The Revolution begins in November.

Russia Exits the Great War In order for the Bolsheviks to remain in power, Lenin believed Russia had to get out of the War with Germany. On December 3, 1917, Lenin and the Germans signed the Treaty of Brest—Litovsk, giving up significant land to Germany. The Red Army of Bolsheviks was now in charge of Russia.

The Red Terror Civil war now breaks out in Russia between those opposed to the Bolsheviks (known as the White Army) and the Red Army. When World War I ended, Britain and France sent troops to Russia to try to help stop the Civil war. 1000’s were killed. The White Army was defeated.

The End of the Romanov’s On July 18, 1917, the Tsar and his family were ushered into a cellar room in one of their palaces, presuming to have their portrait taken. Instead, a firing squad burst into the room and opened fire, killing the entire family.

The End of the Romanovs The bodies were dumped into a mine shaft. They were later retrieved as word of the killings spread. The death squad tried burning two of the bodies - but it took too long. They doused the rest of the bodies with sulfuric acid and buried them in a shallow grave in a forest outside the city.

The Romanovs In the late 1970's, a local geologist and a filmmaker began their quest to find the site The bodies were found and in 1991, they were exhumed and given a royal burial. Today, the Tsar has been canonized as a Saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Iosif Vissarionovich (Joseph Stalin)

Stalin’s 5 year plans Collectivization—agriculture Industrialization War armaments Reconstruction and Transportation