Russian Revolution 1917-1921

Romanov Dynasty Czar Nicholas II, Alexandra (wife), daughter Anastasia and son were last of 300 years of family rule. They lived in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) at the Winter Palace.

Background & Causes 1905-Russia loses war to Japan & Bloody Sunday-Guards at the Winter Palace killed 1000 as people protested poor working conditions. 1914-1917 Germany dominates Russia in WW I, 1.5 million killed. Poor economy, many starving

March Revolution Czar goes to war front to inspire troops, leaves gov. to wife and Rasputin (mystic healer of son’s illness). He gets killed. People demand Czar to step down in March 1917. He abdicates (gives up power). Provisional Government (temp.) led by Alexander Kerensky & Duma (leg.)

October Revolution Vladimir Lenin (communist revolutionary) had been in exile in Switz. Germany found him and sent him to Petrograd. He gathered the Bolsheviks, a group that supported a marxist government. They stormed the Winter Palace in October of 1917, gained control of gov.

Russia under Lenin “Land, Peace & Bread” and “All power to the Soviets”(local councils of Bolshevik supporters) were common slogans> Lenin surrendered to Germany in March of 1918, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. It gave up Poland and Baltic States. Lenin felt his movement would spread anyway.

Russian Civil War 1918-1921 The Red Army (Bolsheviks) led by Leon Trotsky was smaller but more organized. White Army consisted of Mensheviks (supported a lesser from of socialism) and other political groups (Royalists,Democrats). Their lack of unity led to their defeat.

USSR and New Leadership 1922 Russia is renamed Union of Soviet Socialist Republic or Soviet Union. 1924 Lenin died. A power struggle between Trotsky and Joseph Stalin ensued. Stalin wins, Trotsky is exiled to Mexico.