Russian Revolution

He and Frederick Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto A little pamphlet that changed the world

Unrest among the people grew in Russia. The threat of open revolt in 1905 had led the czar to make some changes, but he still held all the power. At the start of World War I, the Russian people supported the war effort from a sense of patriotism. As the army met defeats, discontent grew and soldiers deserted. People rioted for bread, fuel, and an end to the war.

Russia was the most backward and autocratic of the Great Powers which fought in WWI: here the gap between government and society was larger than it was anywhere else. The Tsar (king) was Nicholas II His empire covered nearly a sixth of the earth's surface, but he had little of the practical knowledge necessary to govern it, and he distrusted those who did

more

November 17, 1917 Bolsheviks overthrew provisional gov’t Take control of Russia Called the October Revolution (that is the month it occurred in the Russian Calendar) 1918 Bolsheviks rename themselves the COMMUNIST PARTY (they dissolve the legislative assembly)

Vladimir Illich Ulyanov, known as Lenin The ruler of communist Russia

Lenin signs a peace treaty with Germany 1918 Brest Litovsk treaty- Russia will no longer participate in WWI (now Germany will focus on France) Russia will give up parts of what will become Poland Civil war brewing in Russia Communist Party imprisons the czar and family

Czar Nicholas and Family

Meanwhile Civil War Communists = Red Army vs. Conservative, right wing White Army Fearing spread of communism - European powers support the White Army

Communist Party wins. Rename the country U.S.S.R. United Soviet Socialist Republic

Mensheviks - Whites Bolsheviks - Reds Vladimir Lenin – 1 st communist ruler of USSR Communist Party Red Army Karl Marx – wrote Communist Manifesto Now, you should be familiar with the following terms