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
Bloody Sunday (1905)
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
March Revolution (1917) 1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI
October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917 Lead by Vladimir Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread” Won support of people (especially peasants)
1918 1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.
Rule of Lenin 1920-1924 Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism Political Reforms -Bolshevik party becomes Communist Party (Drops Capitalism) -Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR
Communism A Form of Socialism Marx Communism A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State Socialism/Communism based on the ideas of Karl Marx and his book Communist Manifesto (1848) Karl Marx believed that Capitalism was just an extension of Slavery. “You’re a Slave to Money” Lenin adopted many of Marx’s ideas Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay Russian communism was void of religion or Atheistic. Lenin
1924 Lenin Dies Power Vacuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control Now must decide how he will maintain power Decides to create a totalitarian state (dictatorship)
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
Assignment: Read over the Timeline on page 843. Then answer the following questions? Describe Russia’s performance in WWI. How did involvement in WWI affect events within Russia? Based off your opinion, what economic system makes the most since? Capitalism? Or Communism?