Russian Revolution

Pre-Revolution

• Craziness with the Alexander II & III– Used secret police, ethnic

and religious persecution, attacked Jews (pogroms).

– Modernized and industrialized – built the Trans-Siberian railroad.

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Causes for Civil Unrest• Rapid Industrialization - factories doubled and

became fourth-largest producer in the world for steel.

• Factories brought problems - low wages, child labor, grueling working conditions.

• Revolutionary movements grew out of this - Communism – Workers wanted to rule the government - The

Proletariat – Split into two groups – Bolsheviks and

Mensheviks 3

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Bolsheviks• Ruled by Vladimir

Lenin - Engaging personality, excellent organizer, but ruthless.

• Wanted Communist Revolution immediately.

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Mensheviks

• Led by Leon Trotsky.

• Wanted to continue industrialization before implementing Communist policy.

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More Causes for Civil Unrest

• The Czar - Nicholas II• Lost a war with Japan

– Embarrassing!• Bloody Sunday• Things get crazy with

World War I• Starving people

What is the message of this cartoon?!

From these pictures, how were the peasants and revolutionaries treated?

The Family

• Prince Alexei, Anastasia, Czarina Alexandra, Czar Nicholas II

Why is there a Revolution in Russia?

• Failure of Czar to respond to needs of people – reforms too late, too little

• Poverty and hardship for growing proletariat (industrial workers), profits for factory owners

• WWI = LOSS for Russia• Food and Fuel Shortages• Lack of Leadership when Czar goes to

Warfront in 1915

Rasputin• Magic Man• Prince Alexei had

hemophilia – said he could cure him thru prayer

• Scandalous!• He put a lot of men

in power that continued to destroy the crumbling government.

Rasputin

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March Revolution

• Strikes due to fuel and food shortages– Soldiers shot at the rioters at first but then

joined their side.• Czar steps down and provisional

government (temporary) takes over - decides to continue fighting WWI

• Soviets are formed and take over - local councils consisting of workers, peasants, and soldiers.

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April, 1917: Germany grants safe passage for Lenin to return to Russia from exile in Switzerland

April, 1917: Germany grants safe passage for Lenin to return to Russia from exile in Switzerland

...They figure he will start trouble

-War continues going badly, people still starving; angry mobs of workers in the streets

-Provisional government falls apart from infighting, and the Bolsheviks take over the Winter Palace in October, 1917

Why were the Bolsheviks Successful?

• Leadership of Lenin• Lenin’s message appeals to the

people/workers – “Peace, Land, Bread”• Ability to organize and motivate workers• Willing to overthrow government by force• Used reign of terror to reduce enemies

and create fear - “Looting the Looters”

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Bolshevik Revolution

• All farmland distributed among the peasants.• Gain control of the factories.• Signed truce with Germany - people were

upset because it surrendered land to them.• Royal family is murdered.

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Civil War Continues...• Bolsheviks need to stamp

their new enemy out:The White Army, which is made up of different groups and can barely cooperate with each other.

• 14 million Russians died in this 3 year struggle. Red Army wins. Leon Trotsky → led them.

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Lenin Restores Order• Kept control of most major businesses:

Nationalization • Let some small farmers and shopkeepers be

on their own. Encouraged foreign investment.• USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) is

formed – Capital moves to Moscow• Bolsheviks renamed themselves Communists -

Classless society that would exist after the workers took power.

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