1. The Russian Revolution
Or French Revolution II: The Proletariat Strikes Back

2. What do we know about Russia?
With a partner, describe the situation in Russia during the 1800s and 1900s. How was it different than elsewhere in Europe?

3. A Declining Empire
Thanks to the efforts of rulers like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, Russia had entered a “Golden Era” by the end of the Napoleonic Wars
However, its failure to effectively navigate the great changes wrought by the Industrial Revolution led it to fall behind western Europe
While the Empire still maintained a lot of power, standard of living remained poor
Lost Crimean War (1853) and Russo-Japanese war (1905); shows that Russia is outdated

4. Decembrist Revolt
Officers of the army upset by the succession of Nicholas I revolt in 1825
They want reform of serfdom
Unsuccessful; conspirators deported to Siberia and Nicholas I becomes czar- he is very conservative

5. Reform-minded Emperor
After Nicholas I dies, his son Alexander II (Alexander the Liberator) takes the throne
He is much more liberal than his father
Frees the serfs (1861)
Provides education
Relaxes many rules on the lower classes
He even begins plans to constitutionalize the government, but he is assassinated before he can

7. Alexander III
Conservative who reverses many policies of Alexander II, going back to the legacy of repression
He is succeeded by Nicholas II

8. Modernization efforts and stress
Russia finally experiences Industrial Revolution in the 1890s due to the efforts of Czar Nicholas II
Former serfs with no land, money or power are now basically wage slaves
Teachings of Marx and communism become very popular

9. Bloody Sunday Russia loses Russo-Japanese War in 1905
Upset by this and poor working conditions, protestors march on the winter palace and are massacred
Sets off rebellion across the country
Finally quelled when Nicholas II agrees to create the Duma- Russian Congress- that essentially has no power

10. The Royal Family

11. Rasputin Siberian Peasant and devout Orthodox Christian
Somehow rises all the way up to the Russian royal court
Holds enormous influence over Czarina and Czar
“Magical Healing Powers”- seems to be the only person that can save the Czar’s son who has hemophilia
Rasputin is…interesting
Excessive use of alcohol
Frequent promiscuity, even with members of the royal court
Tabloid rumors about his relationship with the Czarina

13. World War I World War I proves to be a disaster for Russia
Nicholas I insists on leading from the front- leaves the Czarina Alexandra in charge
Bad idea- people are angry and Rasputin gains more influence- he is assassinated in 1916
Russia cannot keep up with demands of modern warfare and its people begin to starve

14. March 1917- February Revolution
Bread riots- led by women- happen in St Petersburg
This time, the army sides with the protestors- proves to be decisive
Czar abdicates, provisional government led by the Duma takes over, Soviets also have large influence
Provisional government continues war
Led by Alexander Kerensky- a Menshevik

15. Bolshevism
Marxists in Russia split into Bolsheviks (radicals) and Mensheviks (Moderates) in 1903
What is Marxism? What is Communism? Talk with your partner

16. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin)
Exiled in 1897
Living in Switzerland
Germany pays to return him to Russia- they hope he will foment revolution to exit Russia from the war
A Russian general named Kornilov attempted to overthrow government; Kerensky releases Bolsheviks from prison to help him stop it

17. November Revolution (1917)
Soviet- Workers collective
Petrograd (St Petersburg) Soviet is full of radicals who want to change the government and leave the war
Lenin and Leon Trotsky (had respect of the army) launch a coup and replace provisional government
Bolsheviks even assassinate Royal Family

18. Communist Revolution “All Power to the Soviets”
“Peace, Bread and Land”
Bolsheviks change name to Communist Party
Private property is abolished
Complete change of society attempted; “War Communism” is a radical attempt for the state to control economy

19. Russian Civil War (1917-1920) Catastrophic civil war “Reds” “Whites”
Bolshevik forces led by Leon Trotsky
“Whites”
Loose confederation of anti-Bolshevik forces
Royalists, supporters of provisional government, less-radical communists
Supported by many foreign governments including allied powers and Germany
Third parties
“Greens” and other non-affiliated groups
More and less radical leftist groups, peasants, parts of the army and national independence groups

20. New Economic Policy
War claims up to 12 million lives (mostly civilians)
Bolsheviks win and establish the USSR- United Soviet Socialist Republics
Disaster of economy shows Lenin that he needs to adapt Communism to changing times
NEP wants to establish “State Capitalism”- kind of like China’s current system
Opposition from leftist leaders like Trotsky
NEP seems to be working, but it does establish some “elite capitalist” classes

21. Death of Lenin Lenin dies in 1924, leaving a power vacuum
There is a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin for domination of the USSR

22. Who will lead? Trotsky Stalin “Revolution before Socialism”
Sees worldwide communist revolution as necessary to establish socialism
Wants to firmly establish socialism in the USSR
More interest in building the USSR to a great power

23. Stalin’s Russia Stalin becomes dictator of USSR Exiles Trotsky in 1928
Begins implementing socialism rapidly; persecutes capitalist “kulaks” who were enriched by the NEP
5 year plan