Chapter 14-Revolution in Russia (1917-1939)

Succession of Power Alexander III Nicholas II Lenin Stalin

Czar Alexander III Pogroms (violent persecution against Jews) 1905—Bolshevik (“majority”) party grows under harsh Czar rules (1st Revolution) Lenin’s brother executed for plotting to kill Alexander— Lenin fled into exile

Czar Nicholas II Leader of Russia during WWI (1914- 1917) Russia taking a beating in the War—Czar Nicholas moves to the war zone to command his troops, leaving the “Czarina” in charge at home. Czar Nicholas II & Czarina have a son who has hemophilia. With Czar Nicholas II away at battle, Czarina seeks help for her son.

Gregory Rasputin (The Mad Monk) Rasputin—holy man/healer—Czarina believes he can help her son, who suffers from hemophilia. Rasputin manages somehow to ease her son’s symptoms Czarina becomes convinced that Rasputin is a holy man with great power. Czarina begins taking political advice from Rasputin. Rasputin begins to put his fellow monks and friends into high positions of political power.

Check for Understanding Which of the following reflects the chronological order in which the following men served as the Russian head of state? Nicholas II—Alexander III—Lenin—Stalin Nicholas II—Alexander III—Stalin—Lenin Alexander III—Nicholas II—Lenin—Stalin

Check for Understanding Which of the following reflects the chronological order in which the following men served as the Russian head of state? Nicholas II—Alexander III—Lenin—Stalin Nicholas II—Alexander III—Stalin—Lenin Alexander III—Nicholas II—Lenin—Stalin

Czar Nicholas II Soldiers on the Russian battlefront begin to mutiny and desert. At home, “rationing” was starving the people. Nobles and high-ranking political figures begin to fear Rasputin’s influence over Czarina and the worsening conditions at home.

Murder of the Mad Monk December 29, 1916—Prince Felix Yussoupov, nephew of czar lured Rasputin to his palace. He fed the “mad monk” cakes and wine laced with poison. Rasputin polished them off and talked on for hours. The prince then shot and stabbed Rasputin, but when being examined, he leaped up. The prince fled in terror. He shot him again and dropped his body into the icy Nevy River. Later, when found, doctors discovered that neither poison nor bullets nor stab wound killed Rasputin, but he died of drowning. Prophecy by Rasputin—weeks before, had written letter to Alexandra predicting his death and warning that family would be killed within 2 years. Came true & created legend.

Check for Understanding Who was Gregory Rasputin? Siberian peasant on whom the czarina depended for advice. A Nobleman who overthrew the monarchy. A priest on whom the czar depended for advice.

Check for Understanding Who was Gregory Rasputin? Siberian peasant on whom the czarina depended for advice. A Nobleman who overthrew the monarchy. A priest on whom the czar depended for advice.

Second Revolution-1917 Entire city-wide strikes cripple Russia. The people are starving and dying in the streets. The Czar’s royal guard begins killing peasants out of fear. The Second Revolution in Russia has now begun. Czar Nicholas II and his family go into exile.

Provisional Government Provisional Government (a temporary government) established in Russia to take over the situation in absence of the Czar. The leader of the Provisional Government was Kerensky, who continued Russia’s efforts on the Eastern front against Germany.

Lenin Returns The Germans send secret agents into Switzerland to bring Lenin back into Russia in hopes that he can gain control of the Bolshevik party and overthrow the provisional government. Lenin was born into a middle class family. When 17, his brother was arrested and hanged for plotting to kill Alexander III. Created lifetime hatred of government. Germany saw chance to weaken Russia by sending Lenin home to lead the revolution. Lenin was assisted by another revolutionary, Leon Trotsky. To the hungry, war-weary Russian people, Lenin and the Bolsheviks promised “Peace, Land and Bread.”

Check for Understanding The word “Bolshevik” means… Socialist Majority Workers

Check for Understanding The word “Bolshevik” means… Socialist Majority Workers

Forming of Soviets Small collectives of local councils formed groups, called Soviets. Conditions under the provisional government continued to worsen and Soviets reached out to Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Lenin and the Bolsheviks, along with the Soviets, begin to gain support to end the war. Lenin’s slogan of “Peace, Land and Bread” began to rally the people around Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

Czar Nicholas II Family Murdered Lenin and the Bolsheviks overthrow Kerensky and the provisional government. Fearing the Czar’s attempt to return (and his long-time hatred of the government that murdered his brother), Lenin has Czar Nicholas II and his entire family murdered, including aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brest-Litovsk Treaty Lenin and the Bolsheviks, in an attempt to save Russia, sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This treaty gave a great amount of Russia’s land to Germany in order to appease Germany in hopes that they would not destroy Russia.

Social Unrest Average citizens upset over Lenin and the Bolshevik Party’s signing of Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which gave large portions of Russian land to Germany. Average citizens also upset at the murder of the Czar and his family. Because of this, a new political group rises in Russia to challenge the Bolshevik party—they are called the “White Army” and they intend to overthrow the Bolshevik “Red Army.”

Check for Understanding Lenin and the Bolsheviks promised the people: “Victory and Recovery” “Equality, Liberty and Fraternity” “Peace, Land and Bread”

Check for Understanding Lenin and the Bolsheviks promised the people: “Victory and Recovery” “Equality, Liberty and Fraternity” “Peace, Land and Bread”

Three Years of Civil War The White Army of the new political group vs. the Red Army of the Bolshevik party engage in a civil war that lasts for three years. In the end, the Red Army of the Bolsheviks wins. Lenin is now in control and has the task of rebuilding Russia’s economy.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Lenin and the Bolsheviks form the “U.S.S.R.”—the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The Bolsheviks change their name to the Communist Party.

Lenin’s power up for grab 1922—Lenin suffers a stroke. Realizing Lenin would soon be dead, two names begin to emerge as replacements for Lenin and control of the Communist Party. Leon Trotsky—leader of the Red Army during the Revolutionary War. Joseph Stalin—a powerful Bolshevik leader in the newly renamed Communist Party and long time friend of Lenin.

Stalin becomes the man Joseph Stalin, through political maneuvering and strong political friends, becomes the popular choice over Trotsky. Unfortunately for Trotsky, Stalin believes that with him still around, he will try to overthrow his leadership. Stalin has Trotsky exiled instead of killing him.

Stalin Trotsky still has supporters and they try to undermine and overthrow Stalin’s authority. Stalin, seeing the opposition to his rule, creates a “Totalitarianism” state (a state in which the government controls all aspects of peoples’ lives), where Stalin alone calls all the shots, both politically and economically. Stalin becomes paranoid and creates a Secret Police force to spy on and kill anyone who challenges his leadership.

Check for Understanding What did the pogroms that occurred in the late 19th century do? Violently persecute Jews Kill all the Kulaks Enlist the aid of foreigners

Check for Understanding What did the pogroms that occurred in the late 19th century do? Violently persecute Jews Kill all the Kulaks Enlist the aid of foreigners

Stalin Indoctrination—public education to mold the people’s minds. Public Schools begin to educate their children to the way Stalin wants them to think. Demands loyalty—personal sacrifice for the good of the state. Secret Police Brainwashing/Censorship/Persecution Terror Stalin takes total control of business, labor, housing, education, religion, art and encourages support through force.

Stalin Totalitarianism Movies: all movies played in theatres were reviewed by Stalin’s censorship board. Music: all music on the radio or played in concert halls were reviewed by Stalin’s censorship board. All media was designed to sway people into thinking only one way, which was Stalin’s way. Religious/Ethnic Persecution: Stalin created enemies of the state, which he blamed when things went wrong. These groups were subjected to campaigns of terror and violence. They were forced to live in certain areas and had rules that only applied to them.

The Great Purge Stalin’s campaign of terror directed at eliminating anyone who threatened his power was known as “The Great Purge.” Socialists Communists Capitalists Religious Groups Ethnic Groups Military Leaders

Command Economy Stalin creates a command economy—an economy where the government makes all economic decisions. Since Stalin WAS the government, all economic decisions were made by Stalin. Wrapped inside of his “Command Economy” were Stalin’s “five-year plans” of economic development—his goals & quotas he demanded Russia to achieve in 5 years. He demanded Russia’s infrastructure to be built on steel, coal, oil and electricity production. All resources went towards the production of these materials, thus causing severe shortages of housing, food, clothing and other necessary goods.

1928 Stalin ordered the confiscation of over 25 million farms/settlements. He combined them into “collective farms”— government owned farms that are allowed to produce only what the government tells them to produce. Any violation would result in death or punishment.

1930—Stalin in Complete Control Russia, under Stalin, had become the U.S.S.R. All personal property became property of the government. The U.S.S.R. was a totalitarian regime and an industrial and political powerhouse. It only cost Russia the lives of about 10 million citizens (The Great Purge), the forfeiture of all personal freedoms and the right of citizens to think for themselves. In Russia, people now did what the government wanted them to do, when they wanted them to do it, and how they wanted them to do it. Any questioning would result in severe punishment, torture or death.

Check for Understanding What was the purpose for the Soviet state’s Five-Year Plans? Foreign Policy Social Restructuring Economic Development

Check for Understanding What was the purpose for the Soviet state’s Five-Year Plans? Foreign Policy Social Restructuring Economic Development