1. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

2. CAUSES OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
Political – involvement in WWI and a lack of confidence in the czar
Economic – financial problems brought on by the war, food shortages, inflation
Social – inequality of social classes, workers strikes

3. GROUPS INVOLVED
Czar – used the military and bureaucracy to hold up his regime. He was an autocratic ruler out of touch with the people
Duma – legislative body that wanted a government without the czar (they asked him to step down) so they implemented a provisional government

4. Cont.
Bolsheviks – dedicated to a violent revolution. They wanted to destroy the capitalist system and implement socialism
White Forces – anti-communists made up of groups loyal to the czar, anti-Leninist socialists, and Allies fighting the communist take over

5. IMPORTANT LEADERS AND THEIR INFLUENCE
Czar Nicholas – a weak autocratic leader who used the military for control. Stumbled through a series of military and economic disasters. Allowed his wife (influenced by Rasputin) to make decisions while he was fighting the war
Alexander Kerensky – head of the Duma. Decided to remain in the war which was a costly mistake.

6. Cont.
V.I. Lenin – leader of the Bolsheviks. Led the political take over of Russia from the provisional government by the Red Forces
Leon Trotsky – Commissioner of War for the Red Forces. Reinstated the draft and rigid discipline. Largely responsible for the success of the Red Forces

7. TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS March 8, 1917 – women’s march in Petrograd
March 10, 1917 – strikes shut down all the factories in Petrograd
March 12, 1917 – Duma established a provisional government
November 6, 1917 – Bolsheviks seized the Winter Palace causing the collapse of the government
March 3, 1918 – Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending Russia’s involvement in WWI
July 16, 1918 – Royal family murdered by the soviets
1921 – Communists in total control of Russia

8. HOW MUCH DID RUSSIA CHANGE AFTER THE REVOLUTION?
A LOT!
Russia was transformed into a communist state
The people of Russia were oppressed by the government.
Lenin executed thousands of people
Russia became hostile toward Allies and a threat to democracy