“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles” -Manifesto of the Communist Party - Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels

Huge Empire Russia one of great powers of Europe, first half 1800s Troops helped defeat Napoleon; leaders helped reorganize Europe after his fall Russia very different from other European powers Empire huge, stretched eastward far into Asia, included many different ethnic groups Absolute Power To govern large, diverse empire, Russian monarchs ruled with absolute power Called czars, controlled most aspects of Russian life Believed in autocracy, government by one leader with unlimited powers Russian Revolution Background

Agricultural Society Russian society under czars mostly agricultural Unlike other European countries, Russia had not industrialized Much of the population were serfs—workers considered part of land they worked Serfs Controlled by lords, wealthy nobles who owned land Technically not slaves; living conditions, lack of freedom, resembled slavery Not allowed to leave property where born; did not own land they worked Serfdom

Societal Problem Serfs had to make regular payments of goods, labor to lords Some in government wanted to improve conditions, unable to make reforms Russian serfdom way of life, a major problem in Russian society Serfdom

Russia Lagging Behind Alexander II came to power after Nicholas, 1855, near end of Crimean War Loss of war showed Russia far behind rest of Europe Did not have modern technology, industry to build competitive military Reforms of Alexander II

Reforms Alexander II began program of reforms 1861, freed Russia’s serfs, gave them right to own land as part of commune Believed terrible living conditions could bring rebellion Economy Alexander II hoped giving serfs own land would build market economy Government set up system for peasants to buy land they worked on from landowner, usually with government help Reforms of Alexander II

Reform and Repression Alexander II made other reforms to modernize Russia Set up new judicial system Allowed some local self-government Reorganized army, navy Despite reforms, revolutionary movements continued to gain strength, call for more changes 1881, radical group, The People’s Will, assassinated Czar Alexander II

Alexander III Alexander’s son, Alexander III, became next czar Alexander III a reactionary, wanted to go back to way things were in past, ended father’s reforms Responded to revolutionary threats by going after individuals and groups suspected of plotting against government

Expansion East Russia expanded east Came into conflict with another imperial power—Japan At same time, revolution brewing War With Japan Early 1900s, Japan building empire, viewed Russia as threat 1904, Japanese forces attacked, defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese War War and Revolution

Russo-Japanese War

Growing Unrest Defeat shocked many Russians (as well as many Europeans), added to unrest One group calling for change, Marxists— followed communist theories of Karl Marx Marxist Ideas Wanted to create socialist republic—no private property, state to own, distribute goods 1902, Vladimir Lenin called for revolution to overthrow czar War and Revolution

1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands Troops fired at group; hundreds died; day known as Bloody Sunday Revolution of 1905

1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands Troops fired at group; hundreds died; day known as Bloody Sunday Revolution Begins Bloody Sunday inspired many sectors of society to rise up against czar; rebellions broke out, czar’s strict rules disobeyed Workers went on strike, students protested in streets Czar promised reform, but did not follow through Massive strike in October; 2 million workers protested in streets Revolution of 1905

Provisions Manifesto promised constitution Individual liberties to all, including freedom of speech, assembly Many gained right to vote End Revolution Nicholas II hoped Manifesto would end revolution Did not achieve balance between own power, democracy People still wanted reform The October Manifesto In response to the rebellions and strikes, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, an official promise for reform and a more democratic government. Duma Voters would elect representatives to the Duma, assembly to approve all laws Czar continue to rule, but not pass laws without approval of Duma

The Years Before the War Russia a troubled nation Czar Nicholas II had promised reform after 1905 revolution, but delivered little real change Bolsheviks sought to change life through revolution, wanted to overthrow czar Led by Lenin, wanted proletariat to rule Russia as socialist country Bolshevik Plan Adaptation of Marxist ideas of overthrow of capitalism Wanted elite group to keep much of the power over Russia As Russia’s problems grew more serious, Bolsheviks gained more followers Czar Nicholas hoped World War I would cause people to rally to his leadership Russia and World War I

Preparations for War Outbreak of fighting caused patriotism, rush to join military Otherwise Russia ill- prepared for war – Factories unable to produce supplies quickly – Transportation system weak – Equipment outdated On the Battlefield Many Russian officers advanced on connections, not ability Some initial successes on battlefield Losses soon outnumbered victories Millions of Russian soldiers wounded, killed during early battles Russia in World War I

Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915 Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters Czar’s fate became linked with fate of Russian armed forces Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command Russian army seemed doomed Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership Army had little strength, even less confidence Conditions Grow Worse Conditions in Russia worse than on battlefield Food, goods scarce; peasants grew desperate Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigory Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral Shaky support for Russian monarchy dipped even lower

The Russian Revolution By the end of 1916, Russia was once again on the edge of a revolution. As the new year began and conditions in Russia continued to worsen, the Russian people clearly wanted a change.

Revolution Begins Citizens protested in the streets of Petrograd, March 8, 1917 Police and soldiers refused to shoot the rioters Government was now helpless Czar Nicholas II Ordered legislature to disband His order defied Citizens, government, military refused to obey Czar Forced to abdicate, March 15, 1917 The Russian Revolution

Provisional Government Duma established temporary government Led by Aleksandr Kerensky Many unhappy with new leadership Bolsheviks Led opposition to Kerensky’s provisional government Wanted fundamental change in government and society Planned Marxist revolution The Russian Revolution Bolshevism Abolish private property Enforce social equality Later known as Marxism- Leninism Vladimir Lenin Bolshevik leader forced to live outside Russia Returned, April 1917 Germany hoped Lenin would weaken Russian war effort

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Kerensky’s final offensive Kerensky ordered final military offensive against Central Powers along Eastern Front, mid-1917 Drive failed and led to widespread rebellion in Russian army Weakened Russian army collapse Bolshevik takeover Conditions ideal for Lenin Armed Bolshevik factory workers, Red Guard, attacked provisional government, November 1917 Known as the October Revolution Kerensky’s government collapsed after nearly bloodless struggle The Bolshevik Revolution

Established radical Communist program Made private ownership of land illegal Land given to peasants Control of factories given to workers Lenin became leader

After the Revolution Lenin sought to end Russian involvement in World War I Sent Leon Trotsky to negotiate peace with Central Powers Russia’s army virtually powerless Trotsky had to accept agreement harsh on Russia Russia gained peace, gave up large parts of empire

Reaction to Treaty Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty angered many Russians Bolsheviks’ opponents organized the White Army White Army included army leaders, political opponents, wealthy Russians opposed to Communist system Civil War White Army received military help from France, U.S. Civil War raged for 3 years between Lenin’s Red Army and White Army Millions of Russians died in fighting, famines Bolsheviks finally triumphed, late 1920 After the Revolution

Collapsing economy Brought on by civil war, pushed Russia to edge of total ruin Peasants, workers especially hard hit Lenin introduced New Economic Policy, 1921 The Soviet Union Russia reunited with several neighboring lands, became Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dominated by Communist leadership Lenin’s death in 1924 led to struggle for control of Soviet Union New Economic Policy Key points New Economic Policy permitted some capitalist activity Peasants could sell food at profit Tried to encourage badly needed food production