Russian History WWI to Communist State

Czar Nicholas II and Son

WWI Russia joined in the battle with enthusiasm As war went on Russia began to suffer greatly. Not enough supplies, supplies not reaching front, no ammo, no medical care By 1915 Russian causalities reached 2 million Czar Nicholas II began to take advice from Gregory Rasputin

Rasputin: The Mad Monk

End of WWI and Revolution Bad advice and public opposition to WWI led Czar Nicholas II abdicate. Bolsheviks, radical socialist group, took charge Vladimir Lenin was the leader Lenin believed lived in Marxism. He believed that only a violent revolution would be a change not gradual reforms.

V.I. Lenin

Revolution November 1917 (October) Red Guards, sailors attack the provisional gov’t Bolsheviks seize power with little bloodshed. Moscow becomes capital. Bolsheviks ended private ownership of land, then redistributed to peasants. Workers given control of mines/factories.

Soviet Union Flag: USSR

Civil War Hammer and sickle symbolized union between peasants and workers Bolsheviks renamed communists Reds vs. Whites Events: 1. Czar & Family shot, 2. Cheka established, 3. Trotsky becomes hero, 4. 1921 Communists won

Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin

Struggle for Power 1924 Lenin dies Power struggle between Leon Trotsky and Stalin Lenin had expressed doubt about Stalin Stalin had become powerful communists party member by placing supporters of himself in the party. Trotsky kicked out of communist party and exiled. He was later assassinated by Stalin secret agent in Mexico City

Stalin Era 1924-1953

Stalin Era Stalin takes control of Soviet Union He tries to modernize Soviet Union with 5-year plans. Agricultural 5-year plan fails at the cost of millions of peasant lives. Industrial 5-year plan more successful. Stalin known to be cruel and paranoid.