The Russian Revolution

WWI Poor leadership, insufficient supplies = major losses TPS: What is the issue with Alexandra being in control at this time? Btwn 1914 & 1916 – 2 mil. Soldiers were killed, 4-6 mil were wounded or captured By 1917, Russians no longer wanted to fight Czar Nick had issues esp. in regards to his wife – German-born Alexandra She was under the influence of Rasputin, a “holy” man that by “curing” Alexis, the only son and heir to the throne, of his hemophilia Hemophilia is usually found with in-breeding, which isn’t surprising considering how royals chose their spouses. Nick was on the battlefield, so Alexandra was in control at home, which meant that Rasputin was in control TPS Answer: she was German, she was a woman, she was under the guidance of a shady individual AKA Rasputin Rasputin was assassinated in Dec. 1916 – shot 3 times, tied and thrown into the river; he drowned by he did untie himself

February Revolution March 8, 1917 – Petrograd strikes Alexander Kerensky TPS: What did socialists believe was the ideal organization of society? Petrograd strikes – 10K women, in reaction to skyrocketing prices for bread and intense rationing, marched through Petrograd demanding “Peace and Bread” and “Down with Autocracy”, tuned into a general strike that shut down factories on March 10 March 12 – the Duma est. a new provisional gov’t March 15 – Nick steps down, end of the Romanov dynasty Kerensky led the provisional gov’t, decided to remain the war to preserve Rus. Honor, bad choice since peasants and workers wanted out Petrograd soviets – councils of representatives from the workers and soldiers, largely made up of socialists TPS Answer: there should be classless society where everyone shares the accumulated wealth with everyone

Bolshevik Revolution Vladimir Ilyich Ulianov AKA V.I. Lenin Three main slogans – “Peace, Land, Bread”, “Workers Control of Production” and “All Power to the Soviets” Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Russian Social Democrats – small faction of the Marxist party, AKA the Bolsheviks Believed that only violent revolution could destroy the capitalist system Only disciplined professional revolutionaries could ensure victory Lenin was in exile b/c of his radical ideas, but in the hopes that Rus. Might back out of the war, the Germans shipped Lenin back in April 1917 By fall of 1917 – Bolsheviks made up majority of Petrograd and Moscow soviets, decide to claim power in the name of the soviets Nov. 6 – Bolsheviks seize control of the Winter Palace and take over with little bloodshed (at that time) Treaty – got Russia out of the war, but at the cost of territories of Finland, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states (major issues in these territories and claims to control on the upcoming century)

Civil War in Russia White Army vs. Red Army TPS: Why was the White Army at a disadvantage in this conflict? Or Why did the Red Army have the advantage in this conflict? Summary Q: Assess the extent to which Marx’s ideals were realized in Russia up through 1922. White Army – all opposed to the Communists, included groups loyal to the czar, liberals, anti-Leninist socialist, Allied powers 1918 – 1921 – Civil war for control, by the end independent nationalist gov’t of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan were taken over by the Communists July 16, 1918 – Czar Nick and his family were executed and their bodies burned, the czar regime is not coming back!! TPS Answer: The Whites had no common goal, which the Communists had a single-minded sense of purpose War communism – gov’t control of most industries, centralization of state admin. Under Comm. Control – ensures supplies for the Red Army Red Terror – secret police that used terror to control, aimed at the destruction of all those that opposed the new regime (think Reign of Terror) Comm. Made call on patriotic Russ. To fight foreign attempts to control the country – Allied troops like Brit, Fr, US, and Jp were stationed in Russ. In support of the Whites

V.I. Lenin

FB profile: V.I. Lenin – in COLOR Birthday: April 22, 1870 Political Views: Hometown: Simbirsk, Russia Languages: Relationship Status: Married Reminders: Friends: famous historical friends, not just randoms (ie. Josef Stalin) Interests: you must infer interests from the sources you use Status Update: V.I. Lenin is (something he would have said) The Wall: 3 posts, either - Events from life: (Date): (Event) Posts from friends: (Name of friend): (comment on wall)