The Russian Revolution

Seeds of Revolution

• Russia in WWI…– The Russian Army was

unprepared for World War I.

• Poor leadership• Poor industry

– Not enough guns!• Still weak from defeat

in Russo-Japanese War of 1905

– Unable to defeat Central Powers

• Czar leads troops– By 1916:

• 2 million dead• 4-6 million wounded

and captured

Seeds of Revolution

• Distrust of the Gov’t…– Czar Nicholas II

• Absolutist Leader– Wife – Alexandra

• Influenced by Grigory Rasputin while Nick is fighting in WWI.

– “Witch doctor”» Cured Alexis’

hemophilia?– Consulted by

Alexandra before all major decisions.

– People become distrustful of Czar.

• Assassinate Rasputin• More to come?

1916: Rasputin murdered

Grigory Rasputin, a self-fashioned Russian holy man, was murdered by Russian nobles eager to end his sway over the royal family. Rasputin won the favor of Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra through his ability to stop the bleeding of their hemophiliac son, Alexei. Although the Siberian-born peasant was widely criticized for his lechery and drunkenness, he exerted a powerful influence on the ruling family of Russia. He particularly influenced the czarina, and when Nicholas departed to lead Russian forces in World War I, Rasputin effectively ruled Russia through her. In the early hours of December 30, 1916, a group of nobles lured Rasputin to Yusupovsky Palace, where they attempted to poison him. Seemingly unaffected by the large doses of poison placed in his wine and food, he was finally shot at close range and collapsed. A minute later he rose, beat one of his assailants, and attempted to escape from the palace grounds, where he was shot again. Rasputin, still alive, was then bound and tossed into a freezing river. A few months later, the imperial regime was overthrown by the Russian Revolution.

Bread Strikes

– Feb - March, 1917• Price of Bread

skyrocketed.• Gov’t started

rationing bread.– 10,000 women

march through Petrograd

» “Peace and Bread.”

– Upset workers hold general strike.

» Nick orders troops to break up crowds by shooting them if necessary.

The March Revolution

• Army resists, joins marchers.

• The Duma– Advisory body to the

Czar– Meets, asks Czar to

step down.• Nick II steps down

March 15th, 1917.– Republican

“Provisional Gov’t” takes power.

• Keeps Russia in WWI– Further angers

peasants…– Is this the end?

SovietsMeanwhile, councils of workers and soldiers begin

challenging the new government…

• Soviets• Socialist• Represent radical interests of the lower class.

• One group, calling themselves the “Bolsheviks” will become very powerful

Russian Rev – Day 1 Review!• How was WWI a cause for the Russian

Revolution?• Why didn’t the Russian people trust the

rule of Czarina Alexandra?• How did Russian women react to the

rationing of bread?• What fatal mistake did the Provisional

government make when it was created?• What were soviets? Which was the most

powerful Soviet?

The Bolsheviks

• Marxist.– Leader =

Vladimir Lenin

• Goals:1. Violent

revolution.2. Unite the

Soviets.3. Overthrow the

government

Bolshevik Promises

• Promises…– End the war.– Redistribute all land.– Transfer ownership

of the factories to workers.

• Three slogans– “Peace, Land, Bread”– “Worker Control of

Production”– “All Power to the

Soviets”

Proletarians of all countries, unite!

“Capital”

“Women, adhere to the corporation”

“What the October Revolution has given to working and peasant women”

Communists Take Power

• In Oct. – Nov. 1917, the Bolsheviks seized control of the winter palace.– Overthrew Provisional

Gov’t– Established Congress

of the Soviets

• Bolsheviks rename themselves “Communists”

Lenin’s Actions• First Priority! Treaty of Brest-Litvosk

(March 8th, 1918)– Gives territory to Germans in order to get out

of the war

Many people were opposed to the new Communist government.

• Establish Secret Police to maintain power– “Cheka”

• The “Red” Army battles against groups loyal to the Czar (“Whites”)

• Allies are helping these anti-communists– Why?

Civil War

“Long live the Red Army!”

The royal family fell victim to the Civil War as well…

• Royal family was murdered on July 16th, 1918

Why did the Communists have the Romanovs executed?

• By 1921:– Communists had complete control of Russia.

• By 1922:– The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

(USSR) is officially recognized as a state.• Also known as the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union

Revolution Recap…