Before we begin…think back to the causes of the French

RevolutionWhy are people so upset with the royal family?

What economic problems and inequalities exist in French society?

Revolutions often begin for similar reasons. The causes of Russia’s revolution will sound familiar to you. The outcome will be quite different.

Another trip down memory lane….

What is communism (aka Marxism)?

How does communism see the course of history?

Movie fun….

Land of the Tsars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x4VcmHfxU

The Russian Revolution

1917

Nicholas II – Russo Japanese War, Bloody Sunday and

Revolution of 1905

Impact of World War I on Russia• Russia enters war in 1914 very

unprepared• Weak generals, poorly equipped

troops• Loses more than 4 million in the

1st year• While Nicholas II is on the Front,

wife Alexandra is running things with Rasputin

• Soldiers mutiny & desert; food & fuel supplies dwindle, prices wildly inflated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W1b6j8U46k

Rasputin & Alexandra

• Czarina Alexandra controls daily operations during WWI

• Under influence of Rasputin

• Thought he could ‘cure’ Alexi’s hemophilia

• Life in St. Petersburg becomes corrupt

• Generates disgust & mistrust

March Revolution• Strikes flare up

everywhere over shortages

• Soldiers refuse orders to shoot the rioters

• Czar Nicholas II forced to abdicate

• Provisional Government created

Provisional Government

First Soviets• Exiled radicals return to

spread their ideas (Lenin)• Underground radicals

emerge to lead revolts• Radicals organize

workers, peasants & soldiers into soviets

• Believed that industrial workers would overthrow the Czar

• After the revolution, the workers would rule: ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’

Bolshevik Revolution

Lenin’s Theory of Revolution

Lenin’s Solution

Lenin in Power

Civil War in Russia

Life During Civil War

Chaos in Russia

As you watch video clips, take notes

about how each of the following contributed to the question above: Russo-Japanese War Lack of connection with

average Russians “Bloody Sunday” Massacre Dissolving of the Duma Relationship with Rasputin World War I

Land of Tsars Video Notes

Why was Nicholas II the last Czar of Russia?

Take notes on Assignment #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x4VcmHfxU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W1b6j8U46k&feature=related

A German Revolution Too?

• Similar to Russia• Popular uprising from below• Brought down Ancien Régime• Established Liberal Provisional Government• Socialists take control of government• Workers & soldiers create alternative governments

Why is German Case Different?

• Liberals & moderate socialists ally

• They triumph over more radical forces in councils

• German Marxists not as radical as Russian Marxists - more revisionist