Russian Revolution

Russian Government Before Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, no political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

Royal Background Nicholas II Created the first secret police in Russia, brutal leader, response to revolt of army officers in 1825

Czar Alexander II He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom, In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States. Killed by the Revolutionary Group: The People’s Will

Czar Alexander III Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia . His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

Setting the Stage for War Political Cartoon Setting the Stage for War

Setting the Stage for War Political Cartoon Setting the Stage for War

Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Czar Nicholas II and Family

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

Bloody Sunday (1905)

Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front

Weaknesses of Russia Setting the Stage for War Insufficient food SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Weaknesses of Russia Insufficient food Appropriate armaments; poorly equipped Inadequate roads Poorly led military Corrupt, inefficient government No faith in government or czar

Weaknesses of Russia Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Russia was ill-equipped to fight the war and suffered great losses – between 1914-1916 over 6 million casualties - Russia also suffering inflation and hunger. Tsarist regime led by Nicholas II pulled away from affairs – a supposed Holy Man named Rasputin became influential to the Tsar, which upset many in Russia – Tsar tried to hold onto autocratic rule

Weaknesses of Russia Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Weaknesses of Russia Czar Nicholas II went to the front lines to help the troops, which left his wife Alexandra in charge (the people didn’t trust her since she was German) The Czar was incompetent on the battlefront.

Rasputin

Rasputin with Admirers

Why was this time different? SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Why was this time different? March, 1917, “Peace and Bread” protests in Petrograd 1917 – Royal palace is taken over. Soldiers meant to disperse crowd joined in Duma assumed responsibility and Tsar abdicated. Tsar Nicholas and his family were soon imprisoned. New provisional government decided to carry on war to preserve Russian pride Opposed by soviets who wanted to end the war – soviets largely workers and soldiers

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War 6th June 1906: In a cartoon called 'Peril!' in Punch, Liberty says to the Tsar, 'Give him his head, it's your only chance, and mine!'

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Two factions fought for control of the soviets. Mensheviks Bolsheviks

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War The Bolsheviks Marxist Social Democrats led by Vladimir Lenin – dedicated to violent revolution – Lenin was in hiding until the provisional government came to power, then he was secretly shipped back to begin revolution and to seize power Promised: end to war, redistribution of land, transfer of industries to worker councils, and government power to the soviets – gained popularity among the soviet groups http://www.biography.com/people/vladimir-lenin-9379007/videos/vladimir-lenin-early-life-20879939514

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Took control of the government on November 6, 1917 with the help of the Petrograd soviets led by Leon Trotsky Lenin the head of the new Council of People’s Commissars – communist Mensheviks - A member of the liberal faction of the Social Democratic Party that struggled against the Bolsheviks before and during the Russian Revolution. They were a minority group trying to appeal to the peasants. They lost out.

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Soviet = council The leaders were socialists. Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Took control of the government on November 6, 1917 with the help of the Petrograd soviets led by Leon Trotsky Lenin the head of the new Council of People’s Commissars - communist http://www.biography.com/people/vladimir-lenin-9379007/videos/vladimir-lenin-world-war-i-20879427686

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Vladimir Lenin – revolutionary socialist Their slogan was “Peace, Bread, and Land” His version of Marxism formed the basis of communism.

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Civil War in Russia I. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed with Russia giving up a considerable amount of land. II. Communists faced great opposition – civil war breaks out early 1918 and lasts three years Not everyone was happy with the new communist government and Allies wanted Russia back in the war The Bolshevik Red Army fought anti-Bolshevik forced known as the White Army – White Army defeated Red Army a disciplined unit while White Army was disorganized and not unified – wanted different ends Red secret police, the Red Terror known as the Cheka, stopped any opposition

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Civil War in Russia Tsar and his family murdered and burnt down in a mine shaft http://www.history.com/topics/russian-revolution

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Peace and Civil War Renamed Russia …. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union)

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Peace and Civil War Renamed Russia …. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union)

Setting the Stage for War SECTION 1 Setting the Stage for War Bolshevik political cartoon poster from 1920, showing Lenin sweeping away monarchists and capitalists; the caption reads, "Comrade Lenin Cleanses the Earth of Filth" Bolshevik political cartoon poster from 1920, showing Lenin sweeping away monarchists and capitalists; the caption reads, "Comrade Lenin Cleanses the Earth of Filth"