1. Revolution in Russia Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus
Russia and World War I
The Russian Revolution
After the Revolution

2. The Years Before the War
Russia and World War I
Russia was a troubled nation
Czar Nicholas II had promised reform but delivered little real change
Bolsheviks sought to change life through revolution, wanted to overthrow czar so that the proletariat (the industrial workers) could gain the power to rule Russia as a socialist country.
Led by Lenin, wanted proletariat to rule Russia as socialist country
The Years Before the War
Overthrow of capitalism
As Russia’s problems grew more serious, Bolsheviks gained more followers
Czar Nicholas hoped World War I would cause people to rally to his leadership
Bolshevik Plan

3. At the start of the war, Russia had an enormous army of some
Russia in World War I
At the start of the war, Russia had an enormous army of some
6 million soldiers.
Outbreak of fighting caused patriotism, rush to join military
Otherwise Russia ill-prepared for war
Factories unable to produce supplies quickly
Transportation system weak
Equipment outdated
Preparations for War
Many Russian officers advanced on connections, not ability
Some initial successes on battlefield
Losses soon outnumbered victories
Millions of Russian soldiers wounded, killed during early battles
On the Battlefield

4. Conditions Grow Worse
Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915
Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters
Czar’s fate became linked with fate of Russian armed forces
Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command
Russian army seemed doomed
Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive
Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership
Army had little strength, even less confidence
Conditions in Russia worse than on battlefield (HOMEFRONT ISSUES)
Food, goods scarce; peasants grew desperate
czar left his wife, Czarina Alexandra, in control of the country when he went off with the troops.
Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigory Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral
Shaky support for Russian monarchy dipped even lower

6. The Russian Revolution
By the end of 1916, Russia was once again on the edge of a revolution. As the new year began and conditions in Russia continued to worsen, the Russian people clearly wanted a change.
Citizens protested in streets of Petrograd, March 8, 1917
Police, soldiers refused to shoot rioters
Government was helpless
Revolution Begins
Ordered legislature to disband
His order defied
Citizens, government, military refused to obey Czar
Forced to abdicate, March 15, 1917
Czar Nicholas II

7. The Russian Revolution
Temporary Government
Duma established temporary government
Led by Alexander Kerensky
Many unhappy with new leadership
Bolsheviks
Led opposition to Kerensky’s provisional government
Wanted fundamental change in government and society
Planned Marxist revolution
Abolish private property
Enforce an equal society
Vladimir Lenin
Bolshevik leader

8. LENIN

9. Kerensky’s final offensive
The Bolshevik Revolution
Kerensky’s final offensive
Kerensky ordered final military offensive against Central Powers along Eastern Front, mid-1917
Drive failed and led to widespread rebellion in Russian army
Weakened Russian army collapsed
Conditions ideal for Lenin
Armed Bolshevik factory workers, Red Guard, attacked provisional government, November 1917
Known as October Revolution
Kerensky’s government collapsed after nearly bloodless struggle
Bolshevik takeover
Established radical Communist program
Made private ownership of land illegal
Land given to peasants
Control of factories given to workers
Lenin became leader

10. After the Revolution Lenin seeks to end Russian involvement in WW I
negotiate peace with Central Powers
Russia’s army virtually powerless
had to accept agreement that was harsh on Russia
Russia gained peace
Russia gave up large parts of empire

12. After the Revolution Reaction to Treaty Civil War
Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty angered many Russians
Bolsheviks’ opponents organized the White Army
White Army included army leaders, political opponents, wealthy Russians opposed to Communist system
Civil War
White Army received military help from France, U.S.
Civil War raged for 3 years between the Red Army and White Army
Millions of Russians died in fighting, famines
Bolsheviks (Red Army-Communists) finally triumphed, late 1920

13. New Economic Policy Collapsing economy Key points The Soviet Union
Brought on by civil war, pushed Russia to edge of total ruin
Peasants, workers especially hard hit
Lenin introduced New Economic Policy, 1921
Key points
New Economic Policy permitted some capitalist activity
Peasants could sell food at profit
Tried to encourage badly needed food production
The Soviet Union
Russia reunited with several neighboring lands, became Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dominated by Communist leadership
Lenin’s death in 1924 led to struggle for control of Soviet Union