Cause and Effect What were some causes of the Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution (Oct./Nov. 1917)? Answer(s): growing unrest, major distinctions between the “HAVES” vs. “HAVE NOTS,” lack of food/resources throughout. Entered WWI (which cost countless $$), over 2 million troops died, outdated infrastructure, including industries, inspired rebellions against a weak & corrupt czar.

February/ March Revolution Bankruptcy of Czarist Regime Grave impact of 3 years of war Military defeat in WWI Economic deprivation Riots & strikes Distrust in pro-German factions in Imperial Court War weariness Causes Mutiny of the troops Garrisoning of the Capital February/ March Revolution Creation of the Provisional Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers Deputies Formation of the Provisional Coalition Gov’t (Dual Power) headed by Prince George Lvov, then Alexander Kerensky Czar Nicholas II forced to abdicate Royal Family shot dead 1st All Russian Congress With the help of the Germans, Lenin & the Bolsheviks (REDS) come to power in RUSSIA. Effects

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Autocracy & Absolutism of LONG-TERM CAUSES Oppression of former Serfs Geographical Isolation Autocracy & Absolutism of Czars Class inequalities Defeat In Crimean War Rise of Marxism = Creation of U.S.S.R.

All Power to the Soviets Peace, Land, Bread All Power to the Soviets

World War I: The Final Blow Heavy losses in World War I reveal government’s weakness Nicholas goes to war front; Czarina Alexandra runs government in his absence

The impact of WWI Military Defeats Russian army was big but poorly equipped Lost two major battles in 1914 Caused loss of civilian and military morale Tsar now held responsible for the defeats as he had taken charge of the army

Criticism of the Tsar Poor military commander Poor political leader Left the Tsarina in charge of the government Refused to accept advice from the Duma Criticism if the Tsarina Inexperienced and incompetent ruler Under the influence of Rasputin Unpopular because she was German Impact of WWI Role of Rasputin Claimed to be a healer. Disliked by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and Tsarina

Economic problems Over 15 million men joined the army Impact WWI Economic problems Impact WWI Over 15 million men joined the army not enough workers in factories and farms caused shortages of food and materials Railway system very poor could not supply the troops could not supply the towns food prices rose

Social discontent Impact WWI Impact WWI Food shortages and price rises caused widespread discontent The war had seen the population move from the countryside to the cities The cities soon became overcrowded and people lived in terrible conditions

First Steps In March 1917, strikes expand; soldiers refuse to fire on workers. Most of the tension is caused by Nicholas II personally taking command of the military in World War I, and the war going so badly.

The Czar Steps Down March Revolution—protests become uprising; Nicholas abdicates throne Duma establishes provisional, or temporary government Soviets—committees of Socialist revolutionaries—control many cities

Lenin Returns to Russia In April 1917, Germans aid Lenin in returning from exile to Russia (pictured in disguise with his goatee shaved and wearing a wig).

The Provisional Government Topples In November 1917, workers took control of the government

Bolsheviks in Power Lenin gives land to peasants, puts workers in control of factories Bolsheviks sign a treaty with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litvosk); Russia pulls out of World War I What did that mean?

Civil War Rages in Russia Civil War between Bolsheviks’ Red Army and loosely allied White Army Red Army wins three-year war that leaves 14 million dead

New Economic Policy In March 1921, Lenin launches New Economic Policy; has some capitalism NEP and peace restore economy shattered by war and revolution By 1928, Russia’s farms and factories are producing again

Political Reforms Lenin creates self-governing republics under national government In 1922, country renamed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) Communist Party—new name taken by Bolsheviks from the writings of Marx

Long term causes GEOGRAPHICAL ISOLATION The great size of Russia led to geographical and cultural isolation from the West. The empire stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea and from Poland to the Pacific Russia was therefore shielded from the liberalizing influences of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment. The Empire also lagged behind in terms of industrialization The expanse of the empire is reflected in the large population [150 - 160 million]

Long term causes AUTOCRACY & ABSOLUTISM OF CZARS Political parties were banned Radicals were imprisoned or sent to Siberia as exiles Censorship of the press Control of public meetings Tsar’s word was law Weak and limited political institutions

Long term causes CLASS INEQUALITIES Peasants comprised 80% of the total population Less than a third of peasants were literate Life expectancy in the countryside was under 40 years Peasants did not own land and all farming was done on communal land Peasants were heavily taxed by the commune & corporal punishment was administered by a Land Captain

Long term causes RISE IN MARXISM The development of the Russian Democratic Labor Movement/Party. Eventually split into the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks They felt that the industrialization of Russia would lead to destruction of the landowning classes One great Marxist/Bolshevik leader was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov

Long term causes OPPRESSION OF THE SERFS A serf is an unfree peasant who is bound to the land & is obligated to pay duties to the lord. If the land is sold, the serf is sold with the land.

Long term causes OPPRESSION OF THE SERFS A serf is an unfree peasant who is bound to the land & is obligated to pay duties to the lord. If the land is sold, the serf is sold with the land.

Immediate causes DEFEAT IN RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR (1904-05) War over control of Manchuria and Korea Resulted in the annihilation of the Russian Baltic fleet by the Japanese in Tshusima Russia sign a peace treaty in August 1905 giving Japan control over Korea and North Manchuria

Immediate causes 1905 REVOLUTION Outcome? Unrestrained massacre leaving hundreds dead and others wounded [BLOODY SUNDAY] Assassination of the Tsar’s uncle Grand Duke Sergei who was governor-general in Moscow Constitutional Reform leading to the DUMA PERIOD characterized by limited democracy

Immediate causes WORLD WAR I Russian troops experienced acute demoralization Gov’t mismanagement of the war effort Russia did not possess the industrial capacity to sustain a war in terms of: Equipment Supplies Internal transport

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION The course of the revolution may be split into two distinctive phases PHASE 1: February/ March PHASE 2: October/ November

October / November revolution Also called the Bolshevik Revolution because the main personalities involved were members of the Bolshevik party The Bolsheviks were against the Provisional government Each proposal made by the Provisional gov’t was contested by the Bolsheviks

Serfdom Agricultural Society Serfs Societal Problem Russian society under czars mostly agricultural Unlike other European countries, Russia had not industrialized Much of population, 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 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

HOMEWORK (04/07/14; due: 04/08/14) 1. Carefully Read 27. 4. 2 HOMEWORK (04/07/14; due: 04/08/14) 1. Carefully Read 27.4. 2. Write a summary examining why European leaders might have resented Wilson’s attempts to shape the nature of the peace treaty with his Fourteen Points. Be sure to LOOK-UP & then explain what the Fourteen Points were. 3. Complete number 3-4 of Section Review on p. 717. 4. Review the attached PPT. Students are also asked to review all notes and handouts surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution. If you are unsure about anything surrounding the Great War & the Bolshevik Revolution, all are encouraged to come forward with inquiries and comments - the more the merrier.