1. Russian Revolution

2. Russian Government Before Revolution
Absolute Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar)
Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited.
Russia had no constitution
No political party system to check the Tsar's power
A strong secret police which terrorized the people.
Last absolute Monarchy in Europe
Even after 1905 Czar could still ignore the newly created Duma
No Checks & Balances (Czar essentially did what he wanted)
No united front- most people in politics were nobles & royals, common people had no say at all
Secret Police was very prevalent. All over Russia fear of expulsion to Siberia or execution 2

3. Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia
Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler
The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.
People of Russia very poor
He was not very strong willed- prefer to have others rule for him. He was dominated by his German-Born wife. He tended to react to any questions against his rule with mass executions/exile
Russia was trying to industrialize, but was doing very poorly at it. They had spent massive amounts fighting the Japanese in 1904-which they lost.
Most in Russia are virtually serfs- nobles control land and newly forming factories. People have no rights 3

4. The Russo-Japanese War of 1905
Dispute over Manchuria with Japan
Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.
Russia & Japan both wanted control over Manchuria (Northern China). Japan preemptively attacks the Russian fleet in Korea- destroying it. Most in Europe believe Russia should easily destroy the Japanese, instead Russia loses two whole fleets and has to sue for peace.
The loss to an Asian nation shook public confidence- the was run very poorly. People start questioning the Czar. Also, another, of many, waves of famine hits Russia. 4

5. Bloody Sunday (1905) Causes of Massacre January 22, 1905
The Fall out of Bloody Sunday
In 1905 people in Russia are agitating against the power/abuse of the Czar & the effects of Industrialization. Also, want food. So they plan a peaceful march on the Czars palace in St. Petersburg to giver him a petition addressing their grievances.
They are shot upon by the military killing around 1,000. This causes strikes & revolts to form all around Russia.
The Czar sets up a Parliament, the Duma, to try to appease the people, but mostly has to use force. The people’s faith in the Czar in shattered. 5

6. Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary
War becomes unpopular
Rationing leads to starvation
Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front
Russia is drawn into WWI because of its allegiance with Serbia and all Slavic people, initially War is welcomed, and starts a wave of nationalism and patriotism- especially after early successes against Austria-Hungary-but the Battle of Tannenburg quickly changes this.
Very quickly WWI becomes hated. Army & Industry not prepared- not enough supplies. Massive amount of casualties due to inept leadership. Russians start losing land.
The nation starts a severe ration program to save food for troops, but leads to starvation amongst the civilian population. Much of the food bound for troops is lost due to corruption & ineptitude. Soldiers also start starving.
Nicholas decides to leave the government and take direct control of the Army- but he is a very poor leader. Worse he leaves his wife in charge who is even harsher (and German) 6

7. Rasputin Czarina is in Charge Enter Rasputin
Why is Rasputin so important to Royal Family?
The Scandals of Rasputin
The Death of Rasputin
With the Czar away the Czarina is left in charge. She is highly influenced by a monk named Rasputin
Rasputin was a very radical monk who was very un-religious in his actions “doing anything into excess”
He held sway because he could staunch the blood of Prince Alexei- he had hemophilia
Rasputin was seen as a constant source of scandal- he had countless affairs with nobles wives & used his access to the Czarina to enrich himself
He will ultimately be assassinated by some nobles in 1917 to try to stop his role of Czarina’s advisor 7

8. March Revolution (1917)
1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over.
Czar abdicates
Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky
Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI
By 1917 Russia is losing the war badly. Starvation is sweeping the nation. People are fed up with the Czar and the nobles in general. Food protests start in the major cities, and are put down with much violence. In March 1917 many soldiers join with the protestors and take over St. Petersburg & the Royal Palace. The leaders are a mixture of various types of communists, socialists & democratic leaders.
Nicholas know his rule is over, and wants to protect his family, so he abdicates (steps down) for both him and his son. The Czar & his family will eventually be arrested by the communists & assassinated in 1918
The leaders in the Duma take over led by Kerensky, a moderate socialist- he wanted to bring western ideas of government & liberty to Russia.
The government decides to keep Russia in WWI- this is immensely unpopular and will lead to the downfall of the provisional government. Soldiers start deserting in massive numbers and executing officers. The country starts sliding to Civil War 8

9. October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917
Mensheviks v Bolsheviks for control of Communist Party
Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread”
Won support of people (especially peasants)
Mensheviks were the larger of the two communist parties in Russia- they wanted to work with the government to slowly adopt the goals of communists. Blosheviks were a small, very radical group that called for an armed uprising the immediate implementation of Communism
Lenin is the leader of the Bolsheviks, but was stuck in Switzerland when WWI started- Germany will eventually arrange to have him shipped to Russia- to help knock them out of war. Lenin is a great speakers & organizer and quickly builds hatred toward the Provisional Government & increases the size of the Bolshevik Party. His message of “Peace”(Get Russia out of WWI), “Land” (Giving the peasants land in the country side) & “Bread”(Famine was still a problem)
Many Peasants & Workers loved this idea- they were the ones bearing the brunt of fighting WWI & the starvation (It is about 80-90% of population) 9

10. 1918 The End of WWI for Russia
March 1918 The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.
1. The Bolsheviks take control of the main government of Russia and its first goal was to end the war with Germany so it could focus on the on-going civil war. They give up massive amounts of land to Germany & many of the regions of Russia gain their independence (Ukraine, Finland, Poland…) Lenin is fine with this because he believes communists will win the Civil War & bring them, and the rest of Europe, under the communist umbrella. This treaty will be nullified by the Treaty of Versailles, but Russia will still lose a lot of land here 10

11. 1917-1922 The Russian Civil War Reds v Whites
Whites initially supported by Western Powers & US
Both sides very brutal
Eventually the Reds prevail.
Reds (Bolsheviks led by Lenin) v Whites (Not a united front- some were monarchists, others far right, some wanted socialism or liberal democracy) Often white forces will be as likely to fight each other as well as communists
US & many western European nations will send troops & weapons to Russia to support the White Forces- this will cause a lot of suspicion of Communists after war
Mass executions very common. Communists use “Red Terror” to get rid of enemies and force peasants to help. Millions will die from war, famines & disease
Communist forces more united and have better support within Russia- Western Powers start withdrawing troops when they see war is unwinnable 11

12. Rule of Lenin
Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP)
-moderate mix of capitalism and socialism
Political Reforms
Bolshevik party became Communist Party
Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics
Lenin becomes ruler of country and sees economy is in shambles due to the effects of Civil War- so launches NEP Program- It brings some limited capitalism & gives more land to peasants- economy slowly starts to improve
Bolsheviks name communist party- to show revolution is over. Russia becomes Soviet Union- technically each region is autonomous and can pass own laws- but in reality is tied to central government. Move capital to Moscow- more centered in Russia 12

13. 1924 Lenin Dies Power Vacuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin
Stalin takes control
Now must decide how he will maintain power
Decides to create a totalitarian state
Lenin is very sickly- starts suffering from a series of strokes. Before dying writes a will- which flatly states who he does not want to be leader (Stalin), but does not specifically state who should be leader
At Lenin’s death 4 major figures step forward to try to take control, but quickly other two are wiped out
Leon Trotsky was Lenin’s right hand man and was present at many battles, was a better speaker and organizer. Stalin was much older and was secretary & postmaster during most of Revolution- but was very ruthless. He also was good at using people against each other
Stalin outmaneuvers Trotsky and is able to take control of party, and immediately kicks him out
Stalin decides to end Lenin’s NEP and other programs and takes power over for himself
Soviet Union will end up being more brutal than Russia under the Czars 13