1. Russian Revolution
SOL 10C

2. Russia
In 1914, the Russian Empire was huge, yet still very backwards in comparison to Europe.
Majority of the population were peasants, living in stark poverty.

3. Czar Nichols II Was not a good leader Had a bad temper
Lost Russo-Japanese War in 1905
Inherited a corrupt government and relied heavily on secret police

4. Czarina Alexandra German born, not trusted by many Russians
Always looking for ways to help their son, Alexis, who was a hemophiliac

5. Karl Marx Influence Wrote the Communist Manifesto
Believed that the working class people should rise up and control the industry of the country
Marxists were trying to start a revolution, taking advantage of a weak czar
Marxists in Russia were called Bolsheviks

6. WWI The outbreak of WWI, encouraged nationalism in Russia
Strained their resources
Factories could not make supplies fast enough, transportation was poor, soldiers had no rifles, ammo, or medical care
1915, 2 million Russian casualties

7. WWI cont. Nicholas went to the front lines to take charge
Did NOT help matters
Left Alexandra in charge

8. The Mad Monk
Rasputin, an illiterate Siberian peasant, who convinced people he was a “holy man” (healer)
Had a very powerful personality
Alexandra thought he was sent by God to help save the Romanov Dynasty by helping her son, Alexis

9. Rasputin

10. The Revolution
Disaster of WWI, food shortages, and fuel shortages all contributed to the collapse of the monarchy
Actually 2 revolutions, the March Revolution and the November Revolution, both in 1917

11. Cont.
Peasants rioted
Czar Nicholas called for troops to fire on them, they refused
Czar now has little to no power
The Duma (Russian Parliament) sets up temporary government, continues in WWI

12. Lenin Vladimir Lenin begins to spread Marxist ideas to factory workers
Gives supporters the name “Bolsheviks” meaning majority
Exiled, gains followers, returns with great promises

13. Cont. Lenin returns to lead the Russian Revolution (aided by Trotsky)
Promised the people “Peace, Land, and Bread”
Still losing miserably in WWI, people want out, Lenin and the Bolsheviks overthrow the government

14. Bolsheviks take over
Under the New Economic Policy Ended private ownership of land, redistribute it to peasants
Workers given control of factories and mines
All were happy at first, thought the people were really in charge.

15. Cont. Civil war now takes place, continuing for 3 years
Reds (supports of Lenin) vs. Whites (supports of the Czar)
Citizens are executed for being against the revolution
The Czar and his entire family are also executed

16. Communists
By 1921 banks, factories, and railroads were under government control
Millions of Russians were now starving, and the economy was in ruins
By 1922, the Reds had won and set up the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR)

17. Stalin January 1924, Lenin dies, Stalin takes charge
His goal - make the USSR an industrial power
Has a “5 Year Plan” to improve industry, railroads, and farming

18. Agriculture Stalin brought agriculture under state control.
Forced peasants to give up their land and live and work on large state owned farms (collectivization)
Peasants resisted, were then killed

19. The Great Purge
Stalin and his secret police “purged” the USSR of 800,000 +, mainly elderly, war heroes, artists, writers and activists
Increasing Stalin power, scaring those who remain into loyalty
Thus creating the ultimate communist state