Revolutions!

Oppressive Rule by the Czars Czar = Russian Emperor In the 1800s, the Czars were cruel and oppressive to the people of Russia Nicholas I, Alexander II, etc. clung to a form of government called Autocracy Autocracy: a form of government in which the ruler has total power 1881 – Alexander III succeeds his father, Alexander II Alexander III

Oppression Alexander III wanted a “uniform” Russian culture Established a secret police to report on people (especially students!) Sent prisoners to Siberia (BRRRrrrrr!) Russian became the “OFFICIAL” language Couldn’t speak other languages, especially Polish, in public life Persecuted Jews Pogrom = Organized violence against Jews

Russia “Industrializes” Russia lagged behind Europe in terms of Industrialization But, they did begin to build factories and boosted heavy industry, especially steel and railroads

The Revolution Grows The Marxists (followers of Karl Marx) establish a following They wanted the Proletariat to overthrow the czar Proletariat = Working Classes The Marxists split into two groups

Mensheviks vs. Bolsheviks Moderate Wanted a broad base of support from the Russian people to overthrow the government Radical Wanted a small number of dedicated revolutionaries to overthrow the government Lead by Vladimir Lenin Strong organizer Extremely ruthless Fled to Europe in early 1900s to avoid arrest, but would return to and gain power

Crisis in Russia! Russo-Japanese War Late 1800s Russia and Japan signed several agreements over territory in Asia, but Japan broke them Russia goes to war against Japan News of Russia’s defeats spreads and leads to unrest

Bloody Sunday January 22nd, 1905 200,000 workers march on the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg Demanded better working conditions, more personal freedom and an elected legislature Nicholas II’s army fired on protesters. More than 1,0o0 people were killed Lead to massive strikes and violence Eventually Nicholas gave in and created a legislature, called the Duma

WWI and Russia Nicholas II gets Russia dragged into WWI They were not prepared militarily or economically Nicholas goes to the front to run the war, his wife runs the government Gets mixed up with Rasputin – a “holy man” with “magical healing powers” Rasputin starts making government decisions, many of which upset the people

March Revolution March 1917 – riots over shortages of bread and fuel lead to over 200,000 people protesting in the streets Nicholas II steps down (and is murdered a year later) A Provisional Government is set up by the Duma – Decides to keep fighting in WWI

Lenin Returns After the fall of the Czar, Lenin returns from Europe. Assumes leadership of the Bolsheviks

November Revolution Armed factory workers storm the Winter Palace in November of 1917 Toppled the Provisional Government Gave farmland to farmers, factories to workers Stopped fighting Germany

Bolsheviks in power Russians were unhappy with terms of peace treaty (had to give land to Germany) Civil war erupts between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (Mensheviks). Red Army crushes all opposition over three years. Extremely bloody – over 14 million Russians die

After the civil war… Lenin restores order Saw Nationalism as a threat Institutes the NEP (New Economic Policy) State controls most businesses, but allows small farmers and workers to own businesses Saw Nationalism as a threat Reorganized into several distinct regions United Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R) Renames the Bolshevik party “Communists” But, essentially just created a dictatorship