Russian Revolution March and Bolshevik Revolutions

March 1917 Female factory workers went on strike Shortages of Food and Fuel Soldiers at first shot rioters then joined them “Down with the autocracy!” “Down with the war!”

Czar Steps Down March Revolution forced the czar to abdicate or surrender the throne – A year later the Romanov family were executed A Provisional Government was created – Alexander Kerensky headed the new government – Did NOT end war

Lenin Returns to Russia Lenin had fled earlier from Russia to Germany to avoid arrest by the Czar Lenin and Bolsheviks wanted to end WWI Germany allowed Lenin to travel to Russia

Bolsheviks Seize Power Lenin and Bolsheviks gained control of many major Russian cities Lenin’s slogan: “Peace, Land, and Bread!” November 1917 factory workers called Bolshevik Red Guards overthrew the government

Bolsheviks in Power Farmland was redistributed to peasants Control of factories was given to the workers March 1918 War with Germany ended – Russia gave a lot of territory to the Germans

Civil War in Russia Russians were angered at terms of peace treaty and the murder of the Czar and his family Whites vs. Reds Civil War Bolsheviks won the civil war and established order

Lenin Provides Order New Economic Policy (NEP) – Small scaled capitalism – Government controlled businesses but allowed for some private ownership Political Reforms – Created the USSR to control nationalism across Russia – Created Communist Party