The Russian Revolution of 1917Tea BoyarchukHistory 11, October 18th 2012

Russia, Pre-Revolution IRussia under absolute power of

the Tsars for yearsTsar Nicholas/Nikolas/Nikolai II in

power, disliked by many Massive “disgrace” by losing

Russo-Japanese War ◦Considered a “disgrace” amongst

Eastern Europeans to lose to an Asian power

Russia, Pre-Revolution IIMid-1800s, educated Russian

middle class was exposed to new ideologies◦Mainly of German influence◦Socialism, Anarchism, Laissez-Faire

Capitalism, Collectivism, Marxism

سارة 

The People, LeninVladimir Illyich Ulyanov, born in

SimbirskVladimir, involved in radical politics

◦Influenced by older brother, Anarchist terrorist sect, “Peoples’ Will” Executed by tsarists

◦Took the pen name of “Lenin” after developing a strong Marxist back ground

◦Joined growing numbers of Marxist intellectuals

The People, StalinIosip Djushganvili, Georgia,

terrorist, thief, radical, stole from banks, finance Marxist insurgence

Often imprisoned, often escaped with elaborate plans/disguises

The People, TrotskyLev David Broshtein, Russian-

Jewish intellectualStrongly opposed to all of

Stalin’s action◦Still a devoted Marxist

The People, Tsar Nikolai IICurrently living a lavish lifestyle,

unwilling to aid RussiansMain concern, Alexei’s diagnosis,

hemophiliaRasputin’s close relations troubles

the Russian communityFraternization with Rasputin, military

loses, Rebellions of 1905, Russian involvement in WWI

Large sense of discontent

Petrograd (St. Petersburg)February, female workers

launched a strikeIn one month, every industrial

plant was shut downWorkers, students, teachers,

flood streetsStrikes turn into riots

The Tsar & PoliticsChaos surrounded the TsarUnhappy troops turned on the

TsarThrone, willingly abdicated, mid-

March 1917

Other politicians establish a Provisional Government◦Socialists and Marxists were not

happy, not radical enough

The New GovernmentLeader = Alexander Kerensky,

moderate socialistBolsheviks stage another revolution

in OctoberMain socialist opposition, divided

into two factions◦Mensheviks, less radical and less

orthodox Marxist◦Bolsheviks, extremely radical, led by

Lenin

The October RevolutionDid not start in October, did not

end in October eitherEssentially a Bolshevik take over

of Russia, took many yearsEnsuing years known as the

Russian Civil War, slightly different from October Revolution

Bolsheviks (Reds) fight Monarchists/Moderates (Whites)

The Grand FinaleDethroned royal family, family

dog, and servants are murdered◦Princess Anastasia?

Establishment of the USSR is a done deal

Lasts just over 70 years

The USSR