RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

By the 20 th Century A major crisis was due and had to happen Russia was an unfair society and needed social, economic and political reform. WHY????

Political Nicholas II – autocratic (had total control) and ineffective Massive personal wealth Backed by an army of 1million and secret police (OKHRANA) Political parties banned Press was censored Harsh punishments – exile to Siberia

BUT... Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants typically had a picture of the Tsar on a wall of their hut.

SOCIAL

Rural Life 80% were peasants – subsistence farmers 60%+ = illiterate Life expectancy = 40 Land ownership rare – communes Couldn’t leave commune without elders’ permission Drought and crop failure common

Labor in the Cities Russia had grown industrially but living and working conditions were horrendous Average working day was 14 hours Unions banned but some strikes took place Potential for hotbed of political activism

Rasputin A mystic who “healed” the czar’s son who had hemophilia Huge influence over royal family Was killed by royal supporters Czar’s reputation still damaged

WWI Russian army ineffective and losing to the Germans Nicholas II goes to the front to inspire the troops (oops!) All resources going to the war – people starving at home War still goes badly

Overthrow People rioted against Czar Troops refused to fire against them, but instead joined in! Czar Nicholas II abdicates throne Revolution turns radical Vladimir Ilyich Lenin – leader of Bolsheviks (communists)

Lenin Lenin is returned to Russia by the Germans from exile in Europe Lenin calls for “Peace, Land, and Bread” Bolsheviks stage a coup d’etat – fairly peaceful

Out of WWI Communists claim absolute control Make peace with Germany at Brest-Litovsk Kill the Czar and his family Communists rule in Russia (U.S.S.R.) from