Russian Revolution

Russian Government Before Revolution

• Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) • Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were

unlimited. • Russia had no constitution, • no political party system to check the

Tsar's power • A strong secret police which terrorized

the people.

Czar Alexander II

• He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom,

• In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States.

• Killed by the Revolutionary Group: “The People’s Will”• He was killed by the terrorist organization when one of their

members threw a bomb at him while walking the streets of St. Petersburg

Czar Alexander III

• Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia .

• His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

• There was an unsuccessful assassination attempt by Vladimir Lenin’s brother

Czar Nicholas II (1894)Last Czar of Russia

Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because

of the Russo-Japanese War. Russia lost land and resources WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very

unpopular with his people

Czar Nicholas II and Family

Queen Alexandria, Son was Alexei (suffered from hemophilia

Russo-Japanese War (1904)

Dispute over Manchuria with JapanShook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.This was an embarrassing loss for Russia (First victory of an Asian Nation Against a European Power)

Russo-Japanese War (1904)

Bloody Sunday (1905)

This is when Russian citizens protested in front of the Winter Palace (home of the Tsar) and his military opened fire on the crowd killing over 100 Russians. This led to Russians having little trust in their leader. The Tsar was forced to create a “Duma” to allow representatives a voice

Russia and World War I

• Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary• War becomes unpopular• Rationing leads to starvation• Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war

front• The Tsar is now gone and Queen Alexandria

falls under the spell of Rasputin

Rasputin

Rasputin and his evil trickery

The Tsar leaves Russia and his wife Queen Alexandria is in charge

Rasputin’s power comes from the myth that he is a true healer and upon his touch he can cure any illness

The Tsar’s son Alexei has hemophilia (blood clout disease

Rasputin and his evil trickery

• The Queen falls into his spell because she is convinced he can heal her son.

• This allowed him to have full control of the royal family and he put his followers in position of high government office.

• He is also known as a “Womanizer” he had a certain flare that attracted a lot of women• He used Sex as his weapon to take control

• He made horrible decisions and this led to the people of Russia to question the royal family and saw them as “Vulnerable”

Assassination of Tsar Nicolas II and his Family

•The Russian Population was devastated to hear that over 2 million casualties occurred

•Mass desertion (leaving and did not follow orders) made them feel the Tsar has lost his role as a good leader•In all over 6 million casualties of war before they quit

•Here is the story of the Assassination•Show Youtube Re-enactment•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHsq9Od8bsU

March Revolution (1917)

• 1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over.

• Czar abdicates• Provisional government (Duma) takes

control lead by Alexander Keresnky• Provisional government unpopular after

decision to stay in WWI

Vladimir Lenin/October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917

• Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread”• Won support of people (especially peasants)

and he also related to the factory workers in Moscow and St. Petersburg

• Lenin was sent into exile for his revolutionary actions in Russia and was sent to Switzerland until 1917

• He was a huge fan of Karl Marx and believed that the rich capitalist took advantage of the poor• He believed in Communist thought that stated

“government should have control of production and close the gap between rich and poor

Vladimir Lenin/October(Bolshevik)

Revolution-1917• Vladimir Lenin was a masterful public speaker and

his rallies were explosive.• He targeted the countryside and Factory courtyards

• Lenin’s Deal with Germany: Germany said they would pay for Lenin’s travels back to Russia as long as once he came into power he would leave the war

• The Bolsheviks stormed the “Winter Palace and with little to no violence the Kerensky government was out and the Bolsheviks took over

1918 • 1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of

Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.• Here are the Conditions (show this on your Russian Map)

• Russia must give up the Baltic States to Germany• Russia must recognize Ukraine as an independent country• Russia must give up influence in Finland• Pay six million dollars for raparations

Civil War

Menshevik (White Army)= Russians that were loyal to the Royals and old ways of Tsarist RussiaThey were supported by the United States

Bolshevik (Red Army)=Led by Trotsky (Military Leader) and Vladimir Lenin

1919 White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions.

• Bolshevik death count was 125,000/Menshevik was 175,500• The Cheka (secret police) killed over 250, 000 Russians

• 1920- Reds defeat Whites and this ultimately led to over 7 million street children

Communism• A Form of Socialism

• Central Planning of the Economy by the State

• Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

• Draw the Flag of Communism• Red: Bolshevik Party• Hammer: Factory workers/working class• Sickle: Farmers• Yellow Star: Rule of Communist Party