Section IV: The Russian Revolutions (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How Russia faced social, economic, and political problems for many years, leading to several revolutions. How Russia faced social, economic, and political problems for many years, leading to several revolutions. How Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin led a revolution in 1917, and assumed power in the country. How Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin led a revolution in 1917, and assumed power in the country. How resistance to the Bolshevik revolution resulted in a civil war, after which the revolutionary party expanded its control over Russia. How resistance to the Bolshevik revolution resulted in a civil war, after which the revolutionary party expanded its control over Russia.

Look on page 630: The Main Ideas. Look on page 630: The Main Ideas. If we added a “C”, what would it be? If we added a “C”, what would it be? It would later have something to do about WWI and Russia. It would later have something to do about WWI and Russia. Many paintings of Russia at this time look like the picture on page 630. That caption also tells you how many revolutions Russia had at this time. Many paintings of Russia at this time look like the picture on page 630. That caption also tells you how many revolutions Russia had at this time.

The Russian Revolutions Problems in Russia You know some of the problems Russia had in the 1800’s. You know some of the problems Russia had in the 1800’s. Starving famers and peasants (big population growth). Starving famers and peasants (big population growth). Workers and the middle class were wanting a chance to participate in their government (the Enlightenment). Workers and the middle class were wanting a chance to participate in their government (the Enlightenment). Russia was becoming industrialized and urbanized. Russia was becoming industrialized and urbanized.

Background to Discontent For quite a while, no-one in Russia liked the tsars. For quite a while, no-one in Russia liked the tsars. Tsar Nicholas II took over in 1894, but other Russian groups thought they could do better than him. Tsar Nicholas II took over in 1894, but other Russian groups thought they could do better than him. One of these groups was the Marxists – which later split into 2 groups – the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. One of these groups was the Marxists – which later split into 2 groups – the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. Bolsheviks wanted control from just a few party leaders – who would lead the working people (the proletariat). Bolsheviks wanted control from just a few party leaders – who would lead the working people (the proletariat). Lenin became the leader of this group. Lenin became the leader of this group. Their first attempt at speaking up began in Their first attempt at speaking up began in 1899.

Bolshevik Poster, showing who they saw as their enemies, a land owner, kulak, drunk, priest, bureaucrat, menshevik, capitalist and white general.

The Revolution of 1905 In 1905, a group marched to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to protest. In 1905, a group marched to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to protest. They wanted a democratically elected assembly. They wanted a democratically elected assembly. During the protest, the tsars soldiers fired at them and killed hundreds. During the protest, the tsars soldiers fired at them and killed hundreds. This is known as the Revolution of 1905 – or sometimes “Bloody Sunday.” This is known as the Revolution of 1905 – or sometimes “Bloody Sunday.” But, Nicholas did agree to form a Duma/parliament (only after some strikes disrupted the country). But, Nicholas did agree to form a Duma/parliament (only after some strikes disrupted the country). This all sounds similar to the French Revolution. This all sounds similar to the French Revolution. …………………… ……………………

Later in 1905, revolutionaries set up a soviet (elected government council). Later in 1905, revolutionaries set up a soviet (elected government council). The tsar had to give more power to the Duma, but the strikes continued. The tsar had to give more power to the Duma, but the strikes continued. The Duma didn’t work as a decision making group (Nicholas didn’t want to give up that power), but it was a place for political discussions and debates. The Duma didn’t work as a decision making group (Nicholas didn’t want to give up that power), but it was a place for political discussions and debates.

Two Revolutions and a Civil War Nicholas II took over the military in Nicholas II took over the military in He also left Petrograd (St. Petersburg), so the government was “unstable.” He also left Petrograd (St. Petersburg), so the government was “unstable.” His wife and a family “confidant”, Rasputin made most of the government decisions – but they made bad decisions. His wife and a family “confidant”, Rasputin made most of the government decisions – but they made bad decisions. So, the people weren’t really in favor of supporting such a Tsar. So, the people weren’t really in favor of supporting such a Tsar.

The March Revolution During WWI, Russia had it bad – with no food at home and many dead soldiers in the war (and they were losing their part of the war). During WWI, Russia had it bad – with no food at home and many dead soldiers in the war (and they were losing their part of the war). The people had enough and had a revolt (over food and coal shortages). The people had enough and had a revolt (over food and coal shortages). Soldiers were sent in to help, but they joined the revolt. Soldiers were sent in to help, but they joined the revolt. This was known as the March Revolution. This was known as the March Revolution. Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate (the end of 300 years of Romanov rule). Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate (the end of 300 years of Romanov rule). …………………….. ……………………..

Rasputin was led to the cellar and fed poisoned cakes and wine, but these did not affect him. Yusupovsky then shot the monk at point blank range and Rasputin collapsed on the floor. When Yusupov went to tell his fellow conspirators the good news, they sent him back to make sure he had done the job. On returning to inspect the body, Rasputin suddenly regained consciousness and started to throttle poor Yusupov, who needless to say was completely scared out of his wits. The Prince fled the cellar, screaming for help; when they returned Rasputin was gone. They found him in the yard crawling towards the gate and proceeded to shoot and bludgeon him. They then bound him and tossed him into the river. When Rasputin's body was found, his bonds were broken and his lungs were filled with water, showing that he didn't actually die until he was submerged in the frozen waters.

The Duma set up a “provisional” government. The Duma set up a “provisional” government. They wanted to keep fighting the Germans – but most of the people were tired of the war. They wanted to keep fighting the Germans – but most of the people were tired of the war. The Duma immediately had challenges from other groups and people in other cities, questioning their leadership and trying to bring about their own ideas. The Duma immediately had challenges from other groups and people in other cities, questioning their leadership and trying to bring about their own ideas.

Between Revolutions Between March and November: 4 different “governments” Between March and November: 4 different “governments” None of them worked because they all wanted to keep fighting Germany. None of them worked because they all wanted to keep fighting Germany. A state of anarchy was rising in Russia. A state of anarchy was rising in Russia. People started listening to one group – the Bolsheviks: who promised them “peace, land, and bread.” People started listening to one group – the Bolsheviks: who promised them “peace, land, and bread.” (complete political disorder)

The November Revolution By November, 1917, the Bolsheviks and Lenin (with his comrade Leon Trotsky) were ready to take over. By November, 1917, the Bolsheviks and Lenin (with his comrade Leon Trotsky) were ready to take over. They stormed the Winter Palace and took over in a nearly bloodless revolution. They stormed the Winter Palace and took over in a nearly bloodless revolution. The next day, Lenin ended private ownership of land and had it re-distributed. The next day, Lenin ended private ownership of land and had it re-distributed. Workers were given control of the mines and factories. Workers were given control of the mines and factories. These changes soon began to spread throughout Russia. These changes soon began to spread throughout Russia.

The Russian Civil War Weeks after the Russian Revolution: Weeks after the Russian Revolution: Lenin signed a peace treaty with Germany Lenin signed a peace treaty with Germany Supporters of the tsar (“the White Army”) began to resist the communists – the Bolsheviks (the Red Army). Supporters of the tsar (“the White Army”) began to resist the communists – the Bolsheviks (the Red Army). The Allies supported the Whites – the Mensheviks – they didn’t want communism in Russia (we were “making the world safe for democracy”) The Allies supported the Whites – the Mensheviks – they didn’t want communism in Russia (we were “making the world safe for democracy”)

Lenin’s Leadership The peasants didn’t get to keep their new land very long. The peasants didn’t get to keep their new land very long. During the Civil War, Lenin’s government took control of the business and industries (factories, railroads, mines, and banks). During the Civil War, Lenin’s government took control of the business and industries (factories, railroads, mines, and banks). Many peasants were forced to support/provide for the Red army and the people living in the cities. Many peasants were forced to support/provide for the Red army and the people living in the cities.

Views of Communism Communism in Russia is a mix between ideas from Karl Marx and Lenin. Communism in Russia is a mix between ideas from Karl Marx and Lenin. Marx believed workers should be in control He believed capitalism must be replaced by a government controlled by the proletariat. Marx believed workers should be in control He believed capitalism must be replaced by a government controlled by the proletariat. Workers should take control through violent revolutions, eventually a classless society would grow, and everyone would be so happy they’d all be able to live without any government. Workers should take control through violent revolutions, eventually a classless society would grow, and everyone would be so happy they’d all be able to live without any government. ………………………….. …………………………..

Lenin agreed with Marx about the violence helping make changes, but… Lenin agreed with Marx about the violence helping make changes, but… He felt a small group and not all workers could lead the revolution. He felt a small group and not all workers could lead the revolution. He didn’t believe in no government – he ended up with a huge, all powerful government. He didn’t believe in no government – he ended up with a huge, all powerful government.

Either death to capitalism, or death under the heel of capitalism (1919)

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