Today’s Standard SS6H7 The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st century. a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism.

What was life in Czarist Russia like? Why did the Russian Revolution Happen? How did it change Russia? ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

R32 Czarist Russia ↓ Russian Revolution

Russia Russia is the largest country in the world today. It spans much of the continents of Europe & Asia. Russia is home to a wide variety of landscapes, people, and cultures.

Mongol Invasion Before Russia became a unified nation it was a scattered group of agricultural villages and towns. During the 13 th century, Mongols invaded the territory that is now Russia. The Mongols ruled over the territory for around 200 years.

Independent Russia During the 15 th century, the Mongol Empire was in a state of decline. It was during this time that Russia came under self-rule. At the time, Moscow was the most important city…so it became the seat of government.

The First Czar In 1547, a 16 year old boy was crowned as the first Czar, or emperor, of modern Russia. His official title would be Ivan IV. He is known today as Ivan the Terrible.

Ivan the Terrible Ivan was known for his cruelty. He ruthlessly murdered anyone who opposed his power or questioned his authority. During his rule, Russia was constantly at war with its neighbors. He wanted to expand his empire and destroy those he considered enemies of Russia.

St. Basil’s Cathedral – Moscow Ivan had built to celebrate a great military Kazan in modern Kazhakstan

Ivan vs. the Nobles Ivan, and the Czars that immediately followed him had major troubles with the nobles of Russia. Russian nobles were called “Boyars.” The early czars viewed the boyars as a threat to their power. Ivan ordered his special soldiers (Oprichniki) to kill any noble who opposed him.

Ivan even killed his own son… accidentally.

Czar Ivan “the Terrible” Changed Russia from an oligarchy ruled by Boyars (wealthy landowners), to an Autocracy ruled by the Czar alone

Czars vs. the Serfs The poor farmers, or serfs, of Russia also suffered under the first czars. Ivan made new laws that prevented the peasants from leaving the farms on which they worked.

Russian Expansion The early czars had gained unlimited power over their territory through ruthless violence and brutality. Once control had been established, the czars sought to expand Russia. Throughout the 17 th & 18 th century, the czars waged war on and conquered their neighbors.

Peter the Great Peter the Great was an intelligent leader who ruled Russia from He was able to conquer his western neighbors and gain access to the Baltic Sea. He built a new capital city on the Baltic coast, which he called “St. Petersburg.”

Peter the Great Peter was impressed with what he had seen on his travels to western Europe. He wanted to introduce western European culture to his people. His goal was to modernize and strengthen Russia, which he did successfully.

Catherine the Great Catherine the Great was the czarina of Russia from 1762 until her death in She was able to follow up on the work of Peter the Great by bringing western European culture to Russia. She built new towns and schools. She encouraged trade, art, and literature. She made Russia one of the most powerful empires in Europe.

Catherine the Great Though Catherine did much to improve Russia, she cared little for the peasants. She toyed with the idea of freeing them, but changed her mind because she didn’t want to upset the nobles. In the 1770’s, the peasants revolted. Catherine crushed them.

Russia Divided The conflict between the czars, the nobility, and the peasants was a common theme throughout the history of Russia. Most of the population was of the poor, peasant class. Most of the wealth belonged to a noble minority. This led to many conflicts.

Freedom for the Serfs? Up until 1861, feudalism (the poor basically owned by the rich) was required by law. The peasants, or serfs, had no choice in the matter. In 1861, Alexander II decided to free the Serfs. The newly freed serfs were now forced to pay heavy taxes. Many serfs suffered.

“Bloody Sunday” Many people thought that the treatment of the serfs and that of the working class of Russia was unfair. Many protested the behavior of the Russian government. In 1905, many people protested in the capital city of St. Petersburg. Government troops shot and killed many protestors. This was called Bloody Sunday.

Russian Revolution In 1914, the Czar was Nicholas II. He decided that Russia would enter World War I on the side of the Allies. The Russian army was whipped by the Germans. During the war, the people were not happy. Many went hungry.

Russian Revolution Workers began to go on strike. The army even turned against the czar. In 1917, the Bolshevik party led by Vladimir Lenin took control of the government & dethroned Nicholas II. This overthrowing of the Russian monarchy is the beginning of what history calls the Russian Revolution.

The End of an Era Nicholas II and the royal family were placed under house arrest. Shortly thereafter they were all shot to death. This execution ended 400 years of Czarist rule over Russia.

Today’s Standard SS6H7 The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st century. a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism.

When did the Russian Revolution take place? Why did it Happen? How did it change Russia? ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

Russian Revolution (1917) RussianPeople

Before (Czarist Russia) After (Soviet Union) Government Economy Standard Of Living Autocracy (Czar) Unlimited Govt. Unitary Dist. of Power Mixed Market (Social Class system gave the wealthy advantage) Not Good for most *Far below that of average western Europeans One Party (Communist) Republic Dictatorship under Stalin Federal Dist. of Power Command Economy *Goal of communist society (equality in consumption) Not Any Better Forced labor (under Stalin) *Far below that of average western Europeans R33 The Russian Revolution (1917)