The Russian Revolution and the Major Players 1905-1917

Pre-Revolution Russia had been oppressed for centuries by tyrannical czars (Russian Kings) Ended with Nicholas II. From the beginning of Nicholas’ reign he failed; Coronation-- hundreds were killed because of poor crowd control. Poor harvest in the late 1890’s led to civil unrest, Many without enough food or wages. Wasn’t ready for the Japan-Russo war 1904-05.

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria (a part of China and Korea) with Japan Russia suffered an embarrassing loss to Japan in short unorganized war Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

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

Rasputin with Admirers

Rasputin

Rasputin He was a “Natural Healer” and Medicine man Won the trust of the Royal family do to “being the only one” who could help the Czar’s son who had a blood disorder He ended up having a huge impact of political decisions which were bad ideas and destroyed the country

Russian Revolutions 1905 - 1917 Revolutions were actually several protests (people revolting) against the Czar over a 12 year span, finally ending with the October Revolution of 1917. It ended hundreds of years of oppression from the Czarist Regimes. It paved the way for the totalitarian communist governments to exist for the next 70 years and created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)

Background: Causes of Revolution Repressive and aristocratic regimes of the Romanov dynasty: Nicholas II Severe economic and social crisis in Russia Russia in WWI: Unpopular war, many Russians were being killed. Corruption in Government Numbers of Poor and Rich

Causes Continued 1. Revolutionary was mostly in the Middle Class 2. Nicholas II refused to allow any type of government reform and refused to let go of total control 3. New Ideas of Marxist Communism in Europe 4. A new leader of the visionary Revolutionary class named Vladmir Lenin

Causes Due to Russia’s economic problems, the lower classes looked for an answer. They tried to overthrow government for a first time in 1905, this failed also known as “Bloody Sunday” They wanted No social classes! They wanted Wealth to be shared among all people! They wanted what Lenin said “Peace, Land, and bread”

Karl Marx and Communism Karl Marx- Invented idea of communism where all things are state owned and equal among all people Marxist Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production (farms, factories, etc.) Wealth to be shared among the society

Communism A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov or Lenin Vladimir Lenin for short Supporter of Marx’s ideas of Communism and wanted to overthrow the Czar Weak Government paved the way for Lenin to rise to power. Lenin appealed to the masses “Peace, Land, Bread ” Led group known as the Bolsheviks (Social Democrats) in the revolution. First leader of the new communist Russia Lenin

October Revolution October 25 1917 Trotsky’s “red army” took over the government in St. Petersburg Lenin seized power immediately with Trotsky and Joseph Stalin by his side. First 2 acts: End Russian involvement in WWI. Give peasants land. “private ownership shall be abolished forever”.

Russia withdrew from WW1 after Russia withdrew from WW1 after Revolution in Russia. Russia signed a treaty with German to not fight in the war known as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Treaty gave land away, and withdrew from war “helped Germany”

1919-1920 The revolution split the country between those loyal to the Czar (whites) and those loyal to Lenin and Communism (reds) or Bolsheviks -1919 White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. 1920- Reds defeat Whites

Rule of Lenin 1920-1924 After the “Whites” defeat the king and his family were killed Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism Political Reforms -Bolshevik party became Communist Party -Russia becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

Trosky Leon Trosky Leader of “Red Army” powerful leader that helped Lenin fight the revolution and organize those involved He would battle Stalin for power following Lenin’s death

Joseph Stalin “Man of Steel” Took control of the government after Lenin died of a stroke 1924 Lenin had actually wanted Trotsky to lead. He distrusted Stalin. Stalin was popular with the people. He seemed like a regular guy and spoke in a way that people could understand. Stalin Began to implement a Totalitarian government.

Characteristics of a Totalitarian State Dictatorship- Absolute Authority Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation State Control Over All Sectors of Society Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts State Control Over the Individual Obedience Denies basic liberties Organized Violence Uses force to crush opposition

Trotsky Flees the Country Stalin fears Trotsky will take his power Uses secret police to threaten and attempt to assassinate Trotsky Trotsky flees the country and hides in various countries Tries to work against Stalin from “outside” Eventually moves to Mexico

Trotsky in Mexico: Leon Trotsky was hunted down by Stalin’s agents and killed in his hotel room in Mexico City with an ice pick in 1940.

Joseph Stalin

Leon Trotsky

Karl Marx Vladimir Lenin

Lenin’s tomb in Moscow!