The Russian Revolution How do the Bolsheviks (Communists) come to power in Russia?

I. A BREWING REVOLUTION A. 1894: Nicholas II becomes the Czar of Russia, which was still a feudal society 1. Nicholas continues autocracy, tries to rule strictly, but is really a weak leader 2. He tries to increase industrialization by using foreign investors & raising taxes a. Industrialization is slow, plus problems like low pay & poor working conditions 3. 1904: Czar tries to take coal-rich Manchuria from Japan but loses (Russo-Japanese War) 4. 1905: Major protests begin against the Czar

5. Protestors try to deliver a petition to Nicholas II asking for reforms, but are met by the Czar’s army a. Army opens fire on the crowd (Bloody Sunday, Jan. 22, 1905) 6. Nicholas is forced to create the Russian Duma (Parliament) a. Reforms fail and Czar dissolves the Duma several times 7. 1914: Russia involved in WW I a. 1915: Nicholas takes command of troops, millions of Russian peasants killed in war

8. Czarina is running Russia & is getting advice from Grigori Rasputin a. Rasputin (a healer for her son) gives her poor advice b. Everyone hates Rasputin & the Romanov family! – Czar’s cousin Yusopov will try to kill Rasputin Ladies man! Czarina Alexandra Grigori Rasputin Alexei Romanov

1. Nicholas II is forced to step down from power (abdicate) II. 1917 March Revolution A. Russian people fed up with shortages – strikes/riots begin in St. Petersburg (Petrograd) 1. Nicholas II is forced to step down from power (abdicate) B. A provisional government led by Alexander Kerensky takes control 1. Kerensky’s gov’t decides to keep Russia fighting in WWI a. Many Russians are upset - economy/shortages worsen C. Communists demand change & begin forming soviets (local councils) 1. The soviets are made up of peasants, workers and soldiers – soviets begin gaining control/influence in Russia Down with the War!! Down with the Autocracy! We must honor our agreements!

III. The October (Bolshevik) Revolution C. Bolsheviks sign Treaty of Brest-Litovsk w/ Germany, ends war D. Many upset w/ treaty/Lenin’s rule  form army 1. White Army = pro-Czar, Prov. Gov supporters & Mensheviks 2. Bolsheviks form the Red Army. 1918: Civil war breaks out between the Whites & the Reds a. Leon Trotsky commands the Red Army Power to the Soviets! A. Oct/Nov: Communists call for the overthrow of the Provisional Govt. Peace, Land & Bread! 1. Mensheviks, led by Martov, favor a less violent overthrow - moderate 2. Bolsheviks led by Lenin & Trotsky favor a violent overthrow - radical B. Bolsheviks take action  storm Winter Palace & seize govt. Vladimir Lenin Speaks E. 1920: Red Army wins, Lenin hopes Russian Rev will inspire worldwide communist revolution