The Causes of Revolution 1. Enlightenment Ideas: New and better ways of doing things. Question: Why would this make people want a change? 2. Unpopular Methods of Rule: People don’t like the type of government. Question: What are some types of government would people prefer?

3. Economic Distress: Money Problems Question: What are some kinds of money problems that could make people want change? 4. Social Injustice: A group of people are treated unfairly. Question: Can you think of an example from real-life of this?

5. Religious Intolerance: A religious group is outlawed or treated unfairly. Question: Why would this make people want change? 6. Nationalism: Pride in your nation; wanting to be the best and independent. Question: Can you think of an example of nationalism?

Russian Revolution Before 1917, Russia was an autocracy. The czar was the absolute ruler. The last of the czars was Nicholas II.

What Events led to the Russian Revolution? * The economic depression in 1899 *Japans destruction of the Russian navy in 1904 *1905 “Bloody Sunday”- thousands of unarmed workers marched to the palace in St. Petersburg to ask the czar for reforms. The czar was not there, but his troops opened fire and killed about 500 men, women, and children.

*World War I – Millions of people were killed and food was in short supply. There was poverty and starvation. The Russians blamed Czar Nicholas II. In March 1917 the Russian people rebelled. Workers all over the country refused to work. Even the army did not support the czar. The people demanded the czar give up his throne. The following year the palace was attached and the czar and his family were executed.

During the revolution different groups in Russia struggled for power. The most violent group won. The Bolsheviks and their leader was Vladimir Lenin. Lenin’s Rule 1. made the Communists party the only political party. 2. Moscow became the new capital of Russia. 3. The name of the country was changed to Union of Soviet Socialists Republic (Soviet Union)

4. Signed a peace treaty with Germany to end the war 5. Gave up large amounts of Russian land to Germany. * Although Lenin established a strong government, he was unable to make great improvements in the lives of the soviet people. The Soviet Union was still in desperate condition when Lenin died in 1924.

Vladimir Lenin