Russian RevolutionRussian Revolution

CH 11.5CH 11.5

Russian CzarsRussian Czars►Russian Czars were autocrats with

unlimited power.►Czars owned railroads, industrial

plants, and millions of acres of Land.

►They used their wealth to build palaces & to lavishly entertain guests.

►The royal throne was encrusted with more than 870 diamonds and hundreds of other precious jewels.

Czars had Absolute Power► They controlled nearly half the peasant

population. ► There was no parliament or court system

to question their decisions.► They could appoint and dismiss all

government ministers.► The Czar commanded the army and

headed the Russian Orthodox Church.► “The czar is a father, his subjects are

his children, and children ought never to question their parents.”

Czar Nicholas I

March RevolutionMarch Revolution

►Unrest DeepensUnrest Deepens Nicholas Romanov II ~ Czar of RussiaNicholas Romanov II ~ Czar of Russia

►Weak and ineffective leader fails to solve Weak and ineffective leader fails to solve Russia’s basic political, economic, & social Russia’s basic political, economic, & social problems.problems.

►Elected Duma has no real power to make Elected Duma has no real power to make changeschanges

Moderates pressed for a constitution and social changeModerates pressed for a constitution and social change Nicholas blocked attempts to limit his powerNicholas blocked attempts to limit his power

►Revolutionaries plotted to over throw the TsarRevolutionaries plotted to over throw the Tsar Made up of Marxists and the proletariat (workers)Made up of Marxists and the proletariat (workers)

March RevolutionMarch Revolution► Impact of WWIImpact of WWI

Factories could not produce enough suppliesFactories could not produce enough supplies Transportation system broke downTransportation system broke down By 1915 many soldiers didn’t have riffles or By 1915 many soldiers didn’t have riffles or

ammunition ammunition ►2 million casualties in just 19152 million casualties in just 1915

Nicholas takes charge of the “front”Nicholas takes charge of the “front”►Military disaster Military disaster

Alexandra is left in charge of domestic issuesAlexandra is left in charge of domestic issues►Alexandra relies on the advice of G. Rasputin (self Alexandra relies on the advice of G. Rasputin (self

proclaimed “holy man”)proclaimed “holy man”)

March RevolutionMarch Revolution

►Czar Steps DownCzar Steps Down March 1917March 1917

►Disasters on the front, low fuel and food brought Disasters on the front, low fuel and food brought the monarchy to collapse.the monarchy to collapse.

Workers went on strikeWorkers went on strike Women marched for breadWomen marched for bread

►Duma politicians establish a provisional Duma politicians establish a provisional governmentgovernment

Begin to prepare a constitutionBegin to prepare a constitution War with Germany continued War with Germany continued

►Bolsheviks (radical socialist group) take chargeBolsheviks (radical socialist group) take charge

Lenin & the BolsheviksLenin & the Bolsheviks► Brilliant RevolutionaryBrilliant Revolutionary

Read the works of Karl Marx & participated in Read the works of Karl Marx & participated in student demonstrationsstudent demonstrations►Spread Marxist ideas among factory workers along with Spread Marxist ideas among factory workers along with

other socialistsother socialists

► Lenin's View of K. MarxLenin's View of K. Marx Lenin adapted Marxist ideas to fit Russian Lenin adapted Marxist ideas to fit Russian

conditionsconditions►Called for an elite group to lead the revolution, used the Called for an elite group to lead the revolution, used the

name “Bolshevik” meaning majority name “Bolshevik” meaning majority ►Lenin Believed only revolution could bring about Lenin Believed only revolution could bring about

needed changesneeded changes ““Long Live the world-wide Socialist revolution!” V.I. Lenin Long Live the world-wide Socialist revolution!” V.I. Lenin

Bolsheviks Rise to PowerBolsheviks Rise to Power►Provisional govt’s mistakesProvisional govt’s mistakes

Led by A. KerenskyLed by A. Kerensky►Failed to end the war and deal with land reformFailed to end the war and deal with land reform►Growing numbers of troops mutinied and Growing numbers of troops mutinied and

peasants seized landpeasants seized land

►Bolshevik takeover Bolshevik takeover Nov. 1917-Red Guard attacked & overthrew Nov. 1917-Red Guard attacked & overthrew

the Provisional Government the Provisional Government►Workers are given control of factories and minesWorkers are given control of factories and mines►New Flag w/ hammer and sickle symbolized the New Flag w/ hammer and sickle symbolized the

union between workers and peasantsunion between workers and peasants

Civil WarCivil War

►Opposing ForcesOpposing Forces Civil war raged for 3yrs. Between the “Reds” and Civil war raged for 3yrs. Between the “Reds” and

the counterrevolutionary “Whites”.the counterrevolutionary “Whites”.►White armies were made up of tsarist imperial officersWhite armies were made up of tsarist imperial officers► ““Allies” supported the Whites Allies” supported the Whites

fed the Communist distrust of the West.fed the Communist distrust of the West.

War under CommunismWar under Communism►Used terror against the “Whites” & to control their own Used terror against the “Whites” & to control their own

people people ►Cheka (secret police) & forced labor camps are createdCheka (secret police) & forced labor camps are created► ““War Communism”- Banks, factories, & railroads are War Communism”- Banks, factories, & railroads are

taken overtaken over►Under Trotsky Red army is turned into an effective forceUnder Trotsky Red army is turned into an effective force► 1921- Communists defeat their “foes”1921- Communists defeat their “foes”

Building the Communist Soviet Building the Communist Soviet UnionUnion

►New government same problemsNew government same problems 1923 Lenin renames Russia to Union of 1923 Lenin renames Russia to Union of

Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)►Constitution w/ both democratic & socialist Constitution w/ both democratic & socialist

ideas is createdideas is created Elected legislature, citizens the right to Elected legislature, citizens the right to

vote (18yrs.), all production belonged to vote (18yrs.), all production belonged to workers & peasants.workers & peasants.

However Communist Party (However Communist Party (NOTNOT the the people) had control (just as the Russian people) had control (just as the Russian tsars did).tsars did).

Building the Communist Soviet Building the Communist Soviet UnionUnion

► Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP)Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) Allowed for some capitalist ventures, Allowed for some capitalist ventures,

► small businesses were allowed to reopen for private profitsmall businesses were allowed to reopen for private profit►peasants could hold small plots of land & sell extra cropspeasants could hold small plots of land & sell extra crops

Govt. still controlled banks, foreign trade, & large Govt. still controlled banks, foreign trade, & large industriesindustries

By 1928 food and industrial production were back to By 1928 food and industrial production were back to pre-war levels.pre-war levels.

► Stalin takes overStalin takes over 1924 Lenin dies1924 Lenin dies

►Chief contenders Leon Trotsky & Joseph StalinChief contenders Leon Trotsky & Joseph Stalin►Stalin outmaneuvers Trotsky and assumes control of USSRStalin outmaneuvers Trotsky and assumes control of USSR