Lesson 5: Focal point – We will learn about the sequence of events that led to Russia’s withdrawal from their alliance with the Entente Powers Do Now: List three examples of how a country is suffering through a bad economy.

Demise of Russian economy during World War I (1914-1917) The Russian economy was already weak entering World War I. Russian was unable to keep up with paying for the war effort, causing the economy to weaken dramatically. The Russian government (led by Czar Nicholas) began printing millions of roubles (Russian currency) to pay for the war causing massive inflation. How can inflation have a negative impact on the economy?

First Russian Revolution (February Revolution) Russian Revolutions First Russian Revolution (February Revolution) February 1917 –Due to terrible conditions in Russia including extreme food shortages forced Czar Nicholas II to abdicate (give up) his autocratic (single rule) power. A temporary or provisional government was set up.

OCTOBER REVOLUTION 1917 Communism – a theory that supports the elimination of private property and the equal distribution of goods The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in Russia and began the communist revolution, overthrowing the provisional gov’t.

RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM WWI July 1918 Lenin orders the assassination of Czar Nicholas, his family and his servants. The new Russian government signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and dropped out of the war. Russia is renamed the USSR – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (or Soviet Union) 1.How did Russia’s economic troubles lead to the overthrow of the Russian czar and the creation of new government? 2. Predict how does Russia’s withdrawal from the Entante would have an impact on the war?