1. Two Revolutions in Russia By: Madison Bachman

2. Revolution Rumbling  In March 1917, the first two Russian Revolutions toppled the Romanov dynasty.  Moderates pushed for a constitution and social change but czar Nicholas 2 blocked all attempts to limit his authority.  Had the secret police and other authorities enforce his will  Revolution was beginning to ignite among the class system

3. World War 1 Entering  When WW1 began in 1914, Russian armies quickly ran out of supplies, causing 2 million casualties by 1915.  Nicholas 2 went to take charge on the front lines, leaving czarina Alexandra in charge.  People didn’t trust her for she was German born

4. The “Mad Monk”  In 1916, Rasputin, who was considered a ”miraculous healer” moved into the palace with many of his followers by the invite of Alexandra.  Appointed top positions and dismissed officials  The czarina insisted he had been “sent by God to save Russia and the Romanov Dynasty.  A group of five men planned to “end” Rasputin

5. A Hard Man to Kill  First, Rasputin was fed poisoned cakes and wine with no effect whatsoever.  Second Rasputin was shot with a revolver but leaped up, grabbed the Prince, and fled.  Rasputin was finally clubbed into stillness and thrown into the ivy Neva River and was found to have died by drowning.

6. The March Revolution  Workers went on strike, troops refused to fire on the demonstrators, leaving the government helpless causing the czar to abdicate.  Duma politicians set up a provisional government and middle class liberals prepared a Russian republic constitution.  Petrograd and other cities set up soviets, or councils of workers and soldiers  Bolsheviks, a radical socialist group, ended up taking charge

7. Lenin and the Bolsheviks  Germany helped Lenin, the Bolshevik leader return home from exile to weaken their enemy.  On April 16, 1917 Lenin arrived in Petrograd and addressed his crowd.