Background to the Background to the Bolshevik RevolutionBolshevik Revolution

History of AutocracyHistory of Autocracy

Russia had a history of Russia had a history of autocracyautocracy – – meaning the ruler had unlimited power and meaning the ruler had unlimited power and could use it as they pleased.could use it as they pleased.

In 1881 Alexander III came to power. His In 1881 Alexander III came to power. His father Alexander II had been a more liberal father Alexander II had been a more liberal ruler and was killed by a revolutionary. ruler and was killed by a revolutionary. Alexander III thought if he strengthened Alexander III thought if he strengthened the “autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationality” the “autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationality” this would make Russia a better place.this would make Russia a better place.

Alexander IIIAlexander III

Alexander III implemented Alexander III implemented strict censorship on what strict censorship on what was published.was published.

He created a secret police He created a secret police force to find his enemies force to find his enemies and exiled them to Siberia.and exiled them to Siberia.

He tried to encourage He tried to encourage Russian culture by Russian culture by restricting all languages restricting all languages but Russian and making but Russian and making strict rules by which Jewish strict rules by which Jewish people had to live.people had to live.

Nicholas IINicholas II

Nicholas became Nicholas became tsar in 1894 and tsar in 1894 and wanted to stick to wanted to stick to his father’s ways.his father’s ways.

He completely He completely ignored many of ignored many of the changes that the changes that were taking place were taking place in Russia.in Russia.

Russia and IndustrializationRussia and Industrialization

Russia was growing in terms of industrialization, Russia was growing in terms of industrialization, but still lagged behind the rest of Europe.but still lagged behind the rest of Europe.

One of the tsar’s ministers began a program to One of the tsar’s ministers began a program to industrialize Russia and this resulted in the industrialize Russia and this resulted in the building of the Trans – Siberian railroad and building of the Trans – Siberian railroad and made Russia one of the top producers of steel.made Russia one of the top producers of steel.

The growth of factories and industrialization The growth of factories and industrialization brought many problems (remember: Great brought many problems (remember: Great Britain and the Industrial Revolution).Britain and the Industrial Revolution).

Rise of the BolsheviksRise of the Bolsheviks

As people grew more and As people grew more and more unhappy with their more unhappy with their conditions a conditions a Marxist/communist group Marxist/communist group began to rise known as began to rise known as the the BolsheviksBolsheviks..

A man named A man named LeninLenin rose as leader of the rose as leader of the group. The group was group. The group was growing more powerful, growing more powerful, but Lenin fled from but Lenin fled from Russia for fear of the Russia for fear of the tsar.tsar.

More ProblemsMore Problems

Russia’s involvement and defeat in the Russo Russia’s involvement and defeat in the Russo – Japanese war made many people angry.– Japanese war made many people angry.

On January 22, 1905 200,000 workers and On January 22, 1905 200,000 workers and their families went to the tsar’s palace to their families went to the tsar’s palace to protest for better working conditions and protest for better working conditions and more freedoms.more freedoms.

Nicholas II was not at the palace, but his Nicholas II was not at the palace, but his generals were and ordered the soldiers to generals were and ordered the soldiers to open fire into the crowd of people.open fire into the crowd of people.

This event was known as Bloody Sunday and This event was known as Bloody Sunday and led to the creation of Russia’s first parliament led to the creation of Russia’s first parliament known as the known as the DumaDuma..

World War IWorld War I

When WWI broke out When WWI broke out Russia was completely Russia was completely unprepared and suffered unprepared and suffered devastating losses.devastating losses.

In 1915 Nicholas decided In 1915 Nicholas decided to move his to move his headquarters to the front headquarters to the front to help with the war.to help with the war.

He left his unpopular He left his unpopular wife Alexandra in charge.wife Alexandra in charge.

Enter RasputinEnter Rasputin

Alexandra ignored all Alexandra ignored all of the advisors of the advisors Nicholas left behind Nicholas left behind and only listened to and only listened to RasputinRasputin a peasant a peasant who claimed to have who claimed to have magical powers.magical powers.

Rasputin encouraged Rasputin encouraged Alexandra to appoint Alexandra to appoint his friends to powerful his friends to powerful positions and to positions and to uphold the autocracy.uphold the autocracy.

Low MoraleLow Morale

In 1916 a group of In 1916 a group of nobles assassinated nobles assassinated Rasputin, but the Rasputin, but the morale of all morale of all Russians was Russians was incredibly low.incredibly low.

They were tired to They were tired to the war and the the war and the tsarist regime and tsarist regime and desperately wanted desperately wanted change.change.