Revolutions in Russia

Setting the Stage Russia’s long history finally led to revolution Cruel oppressive autocratic rule severe economic and social conditions inspired by the various democratic and socialist movements taking place in Europe

Nicholas II Nicholas II becomes czar in 1894 and continued his father’s rule Good, kind man but ineffectual ruler Out of touch with the people he ruled Had never shown leadership skills or a particular desire to rule Was mild-mannered, even meek Lacked the personality of a leader Avoided direct involvement with any opposition; simply ordered his security forces to get rid of any problem as they saw fit

Nicholas II

Russia Industrializes Rapid industrialization changes the face of the Russian economy The world’s longest continuous rail line (5,778 mi.), the Trans-Siberian Railway connected European Russian in the west with Russian ports in the east

Revolutionary Movement Grows Growth of factories brought new problems : grueling working conditions, low wages and child labor Gov’t outlawed trade unions Workers organized strikes A group following the teachings of Marx gained a following

Russian Marxists Believed the industrial class of workers, the proletariat, would overthrow the czar 1903 a split occurred over tactics Radical Bolsheviks led by Lenin were willing to sacrifice anything for change Moderate Mensheviks wanted a broad base of popular support for the revolution

Crises at Home & Abroad First Crisis: Russo-Japanese War Competed with Japan for control of Korea and Manchuria Russia broke the agreement with Japan Repeated Russian losses when Japan attacked Russian ports Sparked unrest at home

Crises at Home & Abroad Second Crisis: Bloody Sunday on Jan. 22, 1905 200,000 workers and their families marched on the czar’s Winter Palace Asked for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and elected national legislature Soldiers fired on the crowd A wave of strikes and violence spread

Bloody Sunday

Crises at Home & Abroad Third Crisis: World War I Russia entered the war in 1914 Weak generals, poorly equipped troops Germans mowed down Russian soldiers by the thousands (4 million killed/wounded/taken prisoner in one year) Revealed the weakness of the czarist rule and military leadership

Crises at Home & Abroad While Nicholas moved his headquarters to the war front, he left his wife in charge Food and fuel in short supply, inflation, Russian soldiers mutinied, deserted Czarina Alexandra ran the gov’t under the influence of a “holy man”, Rasputin Rasputin had helped their son, Alexis, who suffered from hemophilia- killed in 1916

Royal Family Tree

Rasputin

The First Revolution: March Revolution 1917 City-wide strike by textile workers Riots over shortages of bread and fuel Soldiers sided with the people Czar Nicholas abdicates Incapable of dealing with the problems Czar and his family killed in 1918 300 year reign of the Romanovs ends

Another Weak Gov’t Provisional Gov’t Alexander Kerensky Decided Russia would continue fighting in WWI Unrest increases Soviets (local councils of workers, peasants and soldiers) more influential than provisional gov’t

The Second Revolution: Bolshevik Revolution Exiled Lenin returns to Russia Gains control of soviets in major cities Provisional gov’t topples March 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany ends WWI Humiliating loss

Civil War 1918 - 1920 Bolsheviks (Reds) v. the White Army White Army Supporters of the czar, those who wanted democratic gov’t, socialists who disagreed with Lenin Red Army led by Leon Trotsky 14 million died Red Army victorious

Lenin Restores Order War and revolution destroyed the economy Trade at a standstill New Economic Policy (NEP) Allowed peasants to sell surplus goods Gov’t kept control of major industries, banks, and means of communication Small factories, businesses and farms allowed to operate under private ownership Gov’t encouraged foreign investment By 1928 had recovered to pre-WWI level

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Organized to keep nationalism in check Bolsheviks became the Communist Party 1924 – constitution based on socialist and democratic principles but in reality the Communist Party held all the power 1922 – Lenin suffers a stroke By 1928, ruthless Joseph Stalin (man of steel) was in command http://www.biography.com/people/joseph-stalin-9491723/videos/joseph-stalin-mini-biography-2232250110

Red Square in Moscow