Russian Revolution

Opening Focus Assignments 1/9 “Faults of WWI Peace Treaty” 1/10 “WWI and changing values” 1/11 “Views of the War” 1/14 “Lost Generation” 1/15 “Dawes Plan” 1/18 “Path to Revolution”

Russian Government Before Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, no political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

Royal Background Nicholas II Created the first secret police in Russia, brutal leader, response to revolt of army officers in 1825

Czar Alexander II He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom, In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States. Killed by the Revolutionary Group: The People’s Will

Czar Alexander III Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia. His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Czar Nicholas II and Family

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

Bloody Sunday (1905)

Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria- Hungary War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front

Rasputin

Rasputin with Admirers

March Revolution (1917) protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI Soviets: local councils of workers, peasants, and soldiers.

October (Bolshevik) Revolution Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread” Won support of people (especially peasants) Bolshevik Red Guards took over govt. offices/arrested leaders of provisional govt. Lenin ordered all farmland distributed to peasants, control of factories to workers Bolshevik govt. signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: Russia exits WW I

White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. White Armies were disorganized U.S. sent military aid to Russia to help White armies Bolshevik Reds defeat Whites Roughly 14 million Russians died

Rule of Lenin Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism Political Reforms -Bolshevik party became Communist Party -Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics

Communism A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State Communism is a political/economic system of organization (in theory property is owned by the community, and all citizens share in the wealth according to need) German philosopher Karl Marx saw communism as inevitable in society Lenin ended up using these theories to create his own version

Communism Bolshevik leaders saw Nationalism as a threat to unity and party loyalty Lenin organized Russia into self-governing districts under a central govt. In 1922, the country was named the Union of Socialist Republics (USSR), in honor of the councils that helped launch the Revolution

1924 Lenin Dies Power Vacuum, Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control – “Man of Steel” Now must decide how he will maintain power Decides to create a Totalitarian state Govt. takes total, centralized, state control over every aspect of public and private life

Characteristics of a Totalitarian State Dictatorship- Absolute Authority Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation State Control Over All Sectors of Society Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts State Control Over the Individual Obedience Denies basic liberties Organized Violence Uses force to crush opposition

Stalin’s Totalitarian State State Control of the Economy 5 year plan, collective farms Police State Great Purge: eliminating anyone who threatened his power(including former Soviet allies) 8-13 million deaths Religious Persecution Control of the individual Propaganda Molding peoples minds Education Controlled by the government