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.

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)

Bloody Sunday 200,000 workers and their families marched on the Czar’s winter palace. Czar Nicholas II ordered troops to fire upon the crowd killing 1,000. Strikes and protest afterwards force Nicholas to create Duma (Provisional Govt.) No power and dissolved later.

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

Rasputin

Rasputin with Admirers

Communist Ideology There is a constant struggle between the Bourgeoisie (Owners) and the Proletariat (Workers) Proletariat must rise up to create equality and redistribute the wealth. After the revolution, the government must be run by one party to ensure its goals.

Communism A Form of Socialism Means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned/operated by community Gov’t (Communist Party) makes all decisions on economic policy, individual jobs and pay

March Revolution (1917) 1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma is back!) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI

October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917 Lenin returned from exile (Thanks Germany) to help lead another revolution. This time it is a Communist revolution. Lead by Lenin’s slogan “Peace, Land, and Bread” Won support of people (especially peasants whom he promised land, bread) Elites/rich not to happy about this revolution

1918 1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.

1919-1920 1919 White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. Only united by common hatred of Reds. Very bloody civil war 14 million died due to Fighting and Famine 1920- Reds defeat Whites thanks to leadership of Trotsky.

Rule of Lenin 1920-1924 New Economic Plan (NEP) -Small scale capitalism mixed with socialism -Surplus crops could be sold at profit -Major industry ran by government, -Small industry private ownership. Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics- (Try to get rid of Nationalism) everyone is the same!

1924 Lenin Dies Power Vaccuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control Stalin is more Nationalistic. “USSR will be the first great Socialist country” Decides to create a totalitarian state

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

Stalin’s Totalitarian State State Control of the Economy 5 year plan, collective farms Police Terror Great Purge, crush opposition Religious Persecution Control of the individual Propaganda (socialist realism) Molding peoples minds Education Controlled by the government