Russian Revolution 1917

Political Causes

The Romanov Czars

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

I. The Background:- The Romanovs ruled Russia for over THREE centuries- All absolutist kings:

- Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Nicholas I, Alexander I, Alexander II and Alexander III

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

II. Alexander III- wanted to establish a uniform Russian culture; he oppressed other national groupsA) Strict measures against Jews and Polish peasants

1. Made Russian the official language

ALEXANDER III

2. Forbade the use of minority languages in schools3. Extremely punitive against the Jews

- couldn’t buy land OR live amongst other Russians

- organized violence against Jews (called:pogroms)

- no protection under the law

An American Tail – About Russian Migration to NYC!!!

Did you know that Fivel was a little Jewish mouse from Russia? Watch the clip…the cats are the Russians.

CZAR NICHOLAS II - AN ERROR MADE !!!

III. Nicholas Maintains the Status QuoA) He wanted to preserve the legacy of Czarist Russia- refused to bend to his changing

times (also preoccupied with family issues)

B) Economic Changes- Nicholas helped Russia catch up to its peers with the

NICHOLAS’S ECONOMIC PLAN

- growth of heavy industry, particularly steel- also the commisioning of the Trans Siberian Railway

- the world’s longest continuous rail line.

Czar Nicholas’s Ill Fated Reign!

Peasants want land Nobles unhappy No problems have been

solved since Revolution of 1905

Russians want a new government

Watch the CLIP of Czar Nicholas II

Short Term Problems

Germans destroyed them in battle

People have no faith, blame Czar for the war

Government has a monopoly on food (military)

All industry going towards war

Peasants hoarding food, people starving

Other Problems

The Revolution Begins

The Evils of Capitalism

THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION

IV. The Bolsheviks RevolutionA) Industrialism Leads to Unrest

- the workers were poorly paid- unions were outlawed - the gap between the rich and the poor was enormous

- In 1917, the moderates took control by setting up a Provisional Government and

Bolshevik RevolutionBolshevik Revolution►First in February First in February

1917, workers 1917, workers strikestrike Czar is overthrownCzar is overthrown Duma (Russian Duma (Russian

legislature) takes legislature) takes over Russiaover Russia

►Second in October Second in October 19171917

►Theme: “Peace, Theme: “Peace, Land, and Bread”Land, and Bread”

THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION

-replacing Czar Nicholas II- Nicholas II had abdicated the throne when his troops no longer followed his orders

a) they didn’t ease the needs of the peasantsb) they didn’t pull out of WWI

THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION

B) The October Revolution- They intended to create a Marxist or Communist State

- the Bolsheviks and Russian peasantry overthrew the

Provisional Government- Led by Vladimir Lenin-became the 1st dictator of Russia

Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin

►Leader of the Bolshevik Leader of the Bolshevik partyparty Socialist RevolutionariesSocialist Revolutionaries

►Claims he will “save Claims he will “save Russia!”Russia!”

►He arrests the Duma He arrests the Duma and takes control of and takes control of RussiaRussia

►Russians unhappy, they Russians unhappy, they don’t want communism don’t want communism

New GovernmentNew Government

CommunismCommunism

THE NEW COMMUNIST STATE

V. New Rules for All Russian Citizens - Lenin felt that the officials of the Russian government knew what was best for the people

- Believed that strong leadership was necessary to secure natural rights

Russian Civil Russian Civil WarWar

►From 1918-1920From 1918-1920►Bolsheviks (Reds) vs. Bolsheviks (Reds) vs.

Mensheviks (Whites)Mensheviks (Whites)►15 million Russians 15 million Russians

were killedwere killed►Countries (like the Countries (like the

U.S.) sent troops and U.S.) sent troops and supplies to the White supplies to the White army to stop army to stop communismcommunism

►Bolsheviks won, Lenin Bolsheviks won, Lenin becomes dictatorbecomes dictator

Watch the clip – linked to The picture