Russian Revolution

Russia is beset with problems Ruled by autocratic Czar Nicholas II Lost Russo-Japanese War Beginning to industrialize but mostly peasants/serfdom High rates of poverty

Growing Unrest in Russia Government was corrupt Lack of reforms- huge class differences between nobility and poor Marxists  wanted the proletariat to overthrow gov’t ssia_m.gif

WWI Hurts Russia Drained resources Transportation broke, lack of rifles and ammo 2 million died Angered Russian peasants

Rasputin Alexandra  czarina led domestic affairs Rasputin- Advisor to czarina “holy man” Assassinated in

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov - a.k.a. Lenin Protests against czars rule Older brother is ordered executed Lenin is exiled from Russia Vows to return and kill czar 1890’s - early 1900’s

Down Goes the Monarchy Workers went on strike “Bread, Bread” czar abdicated Set up a temporary gov’t

Kerensky wants democracy Favors democracy Keeps Russia in WWI to maintain support of allies (GB & France) Russian public despises decision

Lenin and Bolsheviks Vladimir Ulyanov  A.K.A. Lenin Marxist ideas Bolsheviks (means “majority”)  revolutionary group that wanted higher wages, increased suffrage, and social welfare programs Modifies Marxism by using the Bolsheviks to control government

November Revolution Leon Trotsky- helped Lenin Promised “Peace, Land, Bread” = mass followers Nov 1917  Red guards took over in a few days

Russian Civil War Lenin signed treaty with Germany “Brest- Litovsk” 1918 – Russia avoids German defeat and occupation “Reds” V. “Whites” Allied powers helped the whites (WHY?)

Russian Civil War Czar and czarina and five children were shot Secret police force killed citizens who were suspected of forming another revolution “War communism”  took over banks, mines, factories, and railroads are directed and controlled by Lenin through force

Lenin starts New Economic Plan NEP recognizes “war communism” is not working Fear is hurting economy People lack incentive to work NEP – Allows “loyal” communists to own some private businesses, farms, property Economy improves Lenin dies of stroke/NEP ends