1. Revolutions in Russia
Chapter 14, Section 1

2. Russian Revolutions It took some time, but everyone knew it was coming
1917, revolution hits
The Czars were cruel and oppressive
Overall, poor/dumb leaders

3. Alexander III Upholds the Autocracy
1881 Alexander III takes over
He stops all reforms that his father started
Anyone who:
Questioned authority
Worshiped outside the Russian Orthodox Church
Spoke a language other than Russian
Was considered dangerous

4. Alexander III Upholds the Autocracy
Strict censorship codes
Had secret police:
They kept a close eye on schools
Why?
Political prisoners were exiled to Siberia
Oppression of other ethnic groups in Russia (and there are many)
Pogroms – organized violence against Jews

5. Nicholas II Resists Change
1894 Nicholas II takes over
He also wants complete control
Problem: Times were changing, and the czars never did
Think technological advances

6. Economic Growth and Its Impact
Number of factories doubled from
Despite this Russia lagged behind industrialized Europe
Sergey Witte minister to the Czar built up Russia’s economy through higher taxes and foreign investment
He also pushed for the building of the Trans-Siberian Railway

7. Revolution Movement Grows
With the growth of industries = growth of problems
Grueling work conditions
Low wages
Child labor
Strikes occurred regularly
The gap between rich and poor was enormous
Many revolutionary groups grew out of this turmoil

8. Revolution Movement Grows
And they competed against each other for power
The group that wins was the group that followed the teachings of Karl Marx
They are called the Russian Marxists, they split into two groups in 1903
Mensheviks – wanted a large movement, everyone involved
Bolsheviks – a select few would rise to the top of the revolution and their leader… LENIN

9. Crises at Home and Abroad
Revolutionaries did not have to wait long for the Czars power to be called into question
1904 to 1917 would give them plenty to challenge the Czar’s rule

10. The Russo-Japanese War
In the late 1800s Russia and Japan were imperialist powers
Both wanted Korea and Manchuria
They signed treaties but Russia broke both
Japan, in retaliation, attacked Russia in Manchuria in 1904
Japan won, which was a big shock to Russia, and unrest begins at home (Russia)

11. Bloody Sunday: Revolution of 1905
January 22, 1905
200,000 workers and the families marched on the Czar’s Winter Palace.
They were asking for better conditions for the workers
The chief of police order soldiers to fire on the people 500-1,000 unarmed people were killed
Lenin called it a “dress rehearsal” for the later revolution

12. Bloody Sunday
This provoked a wave of violence and protest across the country
Czar Nicholas opposed reform but in 1905 he promised more freedom (to stop the revolution)
Duma – created by Czar Nicholas, was the first Russian parliament
The first Duma met in May 1906 called for a constitutional monarchy (like Britain)
Czar Nicholas did not want to share power so… he did away with the Duma

13. WWI: Final Blow In 1914 Czar Nicholas brought Russia into WWI
Big Mistake
They could not handle the military and economic cost
The Czar moved to the front in 1915 leaving his wife to run the government
And odd things happen

14. Rasputin Czarina Alexandra ignored the czar’s chief advisers
Instead she listened to a mysterious figure Rasputin
He claimed to have magical powers
Because Rasputin had helped the family Alexandra allowed Rasputin to make key decisions in gov.
Corruption runs ramped and soon the people hate Rasputin and the Czarist regime even more

15. The March Revolution
March 1917 a woman lead strike takes over Petrograd
More riots because of shortages of necessary goods
200,000 people in the streets
At first soldiers shoot the rioters but then sided with them
This is the end for the Czar

16. Czar Steps Down Local protest lead to a national uprising
Czar Nicholas II abdicate his throne
One year later the Czar and his family is killed by the revolution
However, there is no powerful government
Provisional governments pop up
Temporary governments
The concept of Soviets emerge and soon become powerful

17. Lenin Returns to Russia
The Germans launch a secret weapon in 1917… Lenin
Lenin returns and he challenges the power of the provisional governments
Lenin would take down Russia from the inside allowing Germany to stop fighting them
IT WORKED

18. The Bolshevik Revolution
Lenin’s group of followers is called the Bolsheviks
They took power (think coup d'état)
The people they want to have on their side…Soviets (soviet is a worker, peasant, soldier lead city consul)
Lenin’s slogan “Peace, Land, and Bread” what the people wanted

19. The Provisional Government Topples
November 1917 Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace
They took over the gov. and arrested the leaders
The Bolshevik Revolution was over in a matter of hours
Kerensky (leader of provisional gov) was gone as fast as the Czar

20. Bolsheviks in Power Lenin takes on the “old” problems
First: all farm land is redistributed to the people
Second: the gov. gives control of factories to the workers
Third: Russia signs a trace with Germany (Peace)
The truce with Germany coat Russia lost of land and the people were not happy

21. Civil War Rages in Russia
Bolsheviks now need to stomp out their enemies
The White Army (main opposition)
Lead by Leon Trotsky the Bolsheviks Red Army
civil war rages
The U.S. and other western nations send help to the White Army
15 million would die in the revolution and famine that followed

22. Lenin restores Order
After the Red Army wins the Civil War many problems need to be dealt with
The economy is in the tanks
Two reforms:
Economic policy
Political

23. Economic Reforms
March 1921, Lenin launched the New Economic Policy (NEP)
Russia returned to small scale capitalism (the one thing he was against)
If there is surplus the farmers could sell it, before they would have to turn it into the gov.
Big business was controlled by the gov. but the smaller business were private (BIG CHANGE)

24. Political Reform Different nationalities within Russia caused problems
Lenin instituted a policy like the States in the U.S.A.
These republics (states) answered to the central government but they could also govern themselves
1922 the USSR is born (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

25. Political Reform Bolsheviks become the Communist party (thanks Marx)
Communism to Lenin = classless society
A constitution is formed but the power lies with the party not the people
Dictatorship is formed
By 1928 Russia is back to pre WWI production
In 1924 Lenin dies and power is up for grabs.