Glimpse of Russian History Political system- Imperial Empire Romanov family ruled for 330 years Czar was absolute monarch Government controlled everything in politics and church land schools business factories railroads

Plight of the Serfs Oppressed agrarian society bought & sold with the land they worked beaten treated like animals 80 percent peasants by the 19 th century Ruled by 20 percent royals, nobles, Russian Orthodox church

Protests & Uprisings Begin War with France exposed soldiers to concepts of democracy & personal liberty; 500 revolts through 1854 Russian military officers staged rebellion against Czar Nicholas I Five military officers executed Frustration increased

Political Unrest Continues Alexander II attempts to appease serf began land reform freed 20 million serfs eased censorship created local self-governing units trial by jury schools and hospitals Complex land reform requirements

Down with Czarism! Frustration was unleashed fueling the fires of REBELLION! From 1866 several attempts on life of Czar Alexander II Bombs away: The czar is mortally wounded

Here we go Again Alexander III steps up Secret police crackdown on opposition Peasants became even more to determined to completely eliminate Czarism in Russia

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels write the Communist Manifesto

Politics February Revolution Mass protests in Petrograd demanding: LAND REFORM 385,000 workers went on strike Peasants fought police in the streets Czar feared for his life Fled on family yacht to Baltic coast Abdicated his throne; his brother, Grand Duke Michael refused throne

October Revolution Czar Nicholas is executed in 1917 Provisional Government implemented made up of Four Political Parties: Bolsheviks Mensheviks Cadets Social Revolutionaries

Political Leaders Vladimir Lenin- BOLSHEVIK Wants to end involvement in WWI Doesn’t like Provisional Government Leon Trotsky- MENSHEVIK Joined with Lenin becoming his partner Joseph Stalin- DICTATOR