1. Cause and Effect
What were some causes of the Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution (Oct./Nov. 1917)?
Answer(s): growing unrest, major distinctions between the “HAVES” vs. “HAVE NOTS,” lack of food/resources throughout. Entered WWI (which cost countless $$), over 2 million troops died, outdated infrastructure, including industries, inspired rebellions against a weak & corrupt czar.

2. February/ March Revolution
Bankruptcy of Czarist Regime
Grave impact of 3 years of war
Military defeat in WWI
Economic deprivation
Riots & strikes
Distrust in pro-German factions in Imperial Court
War weariness
Causes
Mutiny of the troops
Garrisoning of the Capital
February/ March Revolution
Creation of the Provisional Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers Deputies
Formation of the Provisional Coalition Gov’t (Dual Power) headed by Prince George Lvov, then Alexander Kerensky
Czar Nicholas II forced to abdicate
Royal Family shot dead
1st All Russian Congress
With the help of the Germans, Lenin & the Bolsheviks (REDS) come to power in RUSSIA.
Effects

3. 3

4. Autocracy & Absolutism of
LONG-TERM CAUSES
Oppression of former Serfs
Geographical Isolation
Autocracy & Absolutism of
Czars
Class inequalities
Defeat In
Crimean War
Rise
of Marxism = Creation of U.S.S.R.

5. All Power to the Soviets
Peace, Land, Bread
All Power to the Soviets

7. World War I: The Final Blow
Heavy losses in World War I reveal government’s weakness
Nicholas goes to war front; Czarina Alexandra runs government in his absence

8. The impact of WWI Military Defeats
Russian army was big but poorly equipped
Lost two major battles in 1914
Caused loss of civilian and military morale
Tsar now held responsible for the defeats as he had taken charge of the army

9. Criticism of the Tsar
Poor military commander
Poor political leader
Left the Tsarina in charge of the government
Refused to accept advice from the Duma
Criticism if the Tsarina
Inexperienced and incompetent ruler
Under the influence of Rasputin
Unpopular because she was German
Impact of WWI
Role of Rasputin
Claimed to be a healer. Disliked by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and Tsarina

10. Economic problems Over 15 million men joined the army
Impact WWI
Economic problems
Impact WWI
Over 15 million men joined the army
not enough workers in factories and farms
caused shortages of food and materials
Railway system very poor
could not supply the troops
could not supply the towns
food prices rose

11. Social discontent
Impact WWI
Impact WWI
Food shortages and price rises caused widespread discontent
The war had seen the population move from the countryside to the cities
The cities soon became overcrowded and people lived in terrible conditions

12. First Steps
In March 1917, strikes expand; soldiers refuse to fire on workers.
Most of the tension is caused by Nicholas II personally taking command of the military in World War I, and the war going so badly.

13. The Czar Steps Down
March Revolution—protests become uprising; Nicholas abdicates throne
Duma establishes provisional, or temporary government
Soviets—committees of Socialist revolutionaries—control many cities

14. Lenin Returns to Russia
In April 1917, Germans aid Lenin in returning from exile to Russia (pictured in disguise with his goatee shaved and wearing a wig).

15. The Provisional Government Topples
In November 1917, workers took control of the government

16. Bolsheviks in Power
Lenin gives land to peasants, puts workers in control of factories
Bolsheviks sign a treaty with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litvosk); Russia pulls out of World War I
What did that mean?

17. Civil War Rages in Russia
Civil War between Bolsheviks’ Red Army and loosely allied White Army
Red Army wins three-year war that leaves 14 million dead

18. New Economic Policy
In March 1921, Lenin launches New Economic Policy; has some capitalism
NEP and peace restore economy shattered by war and revolution
By 1928, Russia’s farms and factories are producing again

19. Political Reforms
Lenin creates self-governing republics under national government
In 1922, country renamed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)
Communist Party—new name taken by Bolsheviks from the writings of Marx

20. Long term causes GEOGRAPHICAL ISOLATION
The great size of Russia led to geographical and cultural isolation from the West.
The empire stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea and from Poland to the Pacific
Russia was therefore shielded from the liberalizing influences of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment.
The Empire also lagged behind in terms of industrialization
The expanse of the empire is reflected in the large population [ million]

22. Long term causes AUTOCRACY & ABSOLUTISM OF CZARS
Political parties were banned
Radicals were imprisoned or sent to Siberia as exiles
Censorship of the press
Control of public meetings
Tsar’s word was law
Weak and limited political institutions

23. Long term causes CLASS INEQUALITIES
Peasants comprised 80% of the total population
Less than a third of peasants were literate
Life expectancy in the countryside was under 40 years
Peasants did not own land and all farming was done on communal land
Peasants were heavily taxed by the commune & corporal punishment was administered by a Land Captain

24. Long term causes RISE IN MARXISM
The development of the Russian Democratic Labor Movement/Party.
Eventually split into the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
They felt that the industrialization of Russia would lead to destruction of the landowning classes
One great Marxist/Bolshevik leader was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov

25. Long term causes OPPRESSION OF THE SERFS
A serf is an unfree peasant who is bound to the land & is obligated to pay duties to the lord. If the land is sold, the serf is sold with the land.

26. Long term causes OPPRESSION OF THE SERFS
A serf is an unfree peasant who is bound to the land & is obligated to pay duties to the lord. If the land is sold, the serf is sold with the land.

27. Immediate causes DEFEAT IN RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR (1904-05)
War over control of Manchuria and Korea
Resulted in the annihilation of the Russian Baltic fleet by the Japanese in Tshusima
Russia sign a peace treaty in August 1905 giving Japan control over Korea and North Manchuria

28. Immediate causes 1905 REVOLUTION Outcome?
Unrestrained massacre leaving hundreds dead and others wounded [BLOODY SUNDAY]
Assassination of the Tsar’s uncle Grand Duke Sergei who was governor-general in Moscow
Constitutional Reform leading to the DUMA PERIOD characterized by limited democracy

30. Immediate causes WORLD WAR I
Russian troops experienced acute demoralization
Gov’t mismanagement of the war effort
Russia did not possess the industrial capacity to sustain a war in terms of:
Equipment
Supplies
Internal transport

31. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
The course of the revolution may be split into two distinctive phases
PHASE 1: February/ March
PHASE 2: October/ November

32. October / November revolution
Also called the Bolshevik Revolution because the main personalities involved were members of the Bolshevik party
The Bolsheviks were against the Provisional government
Each proposal made by the Provisional gov’t was contested by the Bolsheviks

33. Serfdom Agricultural Society Serfs Societal Problem
Russian society under czars mostly agricultural
Unlike other European countries, Russia had not industrialized
Much of population, serfs—workers considered part of land they worked
Serfs
Controlled by lords, wealthy nobles who owned land
Technically not slaves; living conditions, lack of freedom, resembled slavery
Not allowed to leave property where born; did not own land they worked
Societal Problem
Serfs had to make regular payments of goods, labor to lords
Some in government wanted to improve conditions, unable to make reforms
Russian serfdom way of life, a major problem in Russian society

34. HOMEWORK (04/07/14; due: 04/08/14) 1. Carefully Read 27. 4. 2
HOMEWORK (04/07/14; due: 04/08/14) 1. Carefully Read Write a summary examining why European leaders might have resented Wilson’s attempts to shape the nature of the peace treaty with his Fourteen Points. Be sure to LOOK-UP & then explain what the Fourteen Points were. 3. Complete number 3-4 of Section Review on p Review the attached PPT. Students are also asked to review all notes and handouts surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution. If you are unsure about anything surrounding the Great War & the Bolshevik Revolution, all are encouraged to come forward with inquiries and comments - the more the merrier.