1. The Russian Revolution russiablog.org

2. Nicholas II The last Czar of Russia Romanov dynasty Was an absolute monarch Was harsh to those who disagreed with his government Was incompetent and weak as a ruler http://it.stlawu.edu/~rkreuzer/phetzel/nicholasII.jpg

3. Conditions in Russia Rigid class system Privileged upper class Large peasant class with no rights Many famines Little industry http://visualrian.com/storage/PreviewW M/0181/25/018125.jpg http://www.alexanderpalace.org/petersburg1900/images/ball.jpg http://www.ssdec.nsw.edu.au/history/romanovs/images/p easant_village.jpg

4. Fundamental Causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 Czar’s absolute rule Czar’s incompetence Peasants wanted to own land Workers and peasants wanted more rights, better treatment, better working conditions – Do these reasons sound like another time period? Russo-Japanese War of 1905 – Showed Czar’s lack of leadership skills Rasputin – hemophilia www.jaha.org/ alexanderpalace.org

5. Immediate Cause of the Russian Revolution of 1917 WWI – Disastrous battles – Poor leadership Poor economy – No food – No supplies – High prices Sound familiar? – Railroad system broken down

6. March Revolution Led by moderate Alexander Kerensky and members of the Duma – Legislature of Russia Czar is forced to abdicate Kerensky tries to establish a republic (constitutional monarchy) – Economic problems too heavy; gov’t fails – Kerensky is overthrown www.marxists.org/ http://it.stlawu.edu/~rkreuzer/phetzel/nich olasII.jpg

7. November Revolution Vladimir Lenin (a communist) led the November Revolution – Followed the teachings of Karl Marx – Leon Trotsky was his “right hand man” “Land, Peace, and Bread” motto Lenin’s followers were called Bolsheviks /cla.calpoly.edu/ /rosenblumtv.files. historylearningsite.co.uk trcs.wikispaces.com

8. Lenin’s rule Negotiated the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – No more war Tried to crush all opposition to him during “The Terror” Tried to rebuild the economy with his New Economic Policy – Combined a little capitalism with communism by allowing peasants to own their land

9. Civil War 1917-1920 Reds v. Whites Reds: Bolsheviks, followers of Lenin Whites: everyone opposed to Lenin – Too many diverse groups and no strong leader emerged

10. Civil War 1917-1920 1918 Lenin orders the execution of the Czar and his family Why?

11. Rise of Joseph Stalin 1924 Lenin died from complications after several strokes Most expected Trotsky to succeed him BUT…

12. Stalin Joseph Stalin takes control forces Trotsky into exile shadowwar.wordpress.com

13. Stalin Transformed the country from a backward agricultural nation to a modern industrial nation Five Year Plans – Concentrated on building industries that would help build military strength

14. Stalin Collectivization – Took land away from peasants Those who protested were imprisoned or killed – Created collective farms that were run by the government Everyone worked together and got back what the government thought they needed brokenworld...

15. Stalin Became an absolute dictator Used purges and secret police to get rid of enemies – Sent to gulags or executed thepeoplescube.com sitesofconscience.org

16. Stalin Might be the greatest mass murderer of all time Estimates are that he killed over 20 million Soviet citizens open.salon.com