Russian Revolution

Roots of Revolution By 1914: Russia is the most backward European country. By 1914: Russia is the most backward European country. Czar Nicholas is in power. Czar Nicholas is in power. Workers form “Soviets”, or unions. Workers form “Soviets”, or unions. WWI breaks out, and Russian Government mismanages it. WWI breaks out, and Russian Government mismanages it. By Russia had more than 8 Million casualties. By Russia had more than 8 Million casualties.

People lost faith in the government. People lost faith in the government. Nicholas leaves to fight, and leaves his wife Czarina Alexandra in charge. Nicholas leaves to fight, and leaves his wife Czarina Alexandra in charge. Czarina Alexandra looks to Rasputin as an Advisor. Czarina Alexandra looks to Rasputin as an Advisor. WWI increased internal problems in Russia. WWI increased internal problems in Russia. There was great unhappiness at the czarist rule. There was great unhappiness at the czarist rule.

The February Revolution March 1917: The first stages of the Russian Revolution begin. March 1917: The first stages of the Russian Revolution begin. On March 8, factory workers were unable to buy bread to feed their families. On March 8, factory workers were unable to buy bread to feed their families. –The workers staged strikes and protests. Troops joined the protests and the Czar was forced to give up. Troops joined the protests and the Czar was forced to give up.

A temporary government was set up and led by a group of moderate reformers. A temporary government was set up and led by a group of moderate reformers. Alexander Kerensky was the leader. Alexander Kerensky was the leader. This failed because Kerensky chose to keep Russia involved in WWI. This failed because Kerensky chose to keep Russia involved in WWI. Food prices also rose, and people got angry. Food prices also rose, and people got angry.

October Revolution Kerensky was eventually thought of as defending “the old order” or the way things had been. Kerensky was eventually thought of as defending “the old order” or the way things had been. Kerensky’s worst political enemy was Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov...also known as Lenin. Kerensky’s worst political enemy was Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov...also known as Lenin. Lenin spent his life promoting revolution against the monarchy. Lenin spent his life promoting revolution against the monarchy.

Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks. They were a group of revolutionaries. Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks. They were a group of revolutionaries. Bolsheviks opposed Mensheviks- a group that wanted to cause change through parliamentary means. Bolsheviks opposed Mensheviks- a group that wanted to cause change through parliamentary means. Lenin promised people “Peace, Land, and Bread”. Lenin promised people “Peace, Land, and Bread”. The Bolsheviks were led by Leon Trotsky- Lenin’s right hand man. The Bolsheviks were led by Leon Trotsky- Lenin’s right hand man.

Bolsheviks took over Russia by force. Bolsheviks took over Russia by force. Russia was controlled by Lenin at this point. Russia was controlled by Lenin at this point. The Bolsheviks were renamed and became the “Communist Party”. The Bolsheviks were renamed and became the “Communist Party”. In 1918, the Communist Party finalized the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. In 1918, the Communist Party finalized the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This treaty took Russia out of WWI. This treaty took Russia out of WWI.

The Civil War Many Russian people did not like the treaty because they felt it was against the war effort. Many Russian people did not like the treaty because they felt it was against the war effort. The Whites were formed. The Whites were formed. –Groups of people, including the cossacks, that united to fight the Bolsheviks (Communists). Between , Russia had full blown Civil War. Between , Russia had full blown Civil War.

White forces clashed with the Red Army (Bolshevik forces) led by Trotsky. White forces clashed with the Red Army (Bolshevik forces) led by Trotsky. The Allied Powers wanted to keep Russia as allies, so they sent supplies and troops to the Whites in order for them to better fight the Red Army and the spreading threat of communism. The Allied Powers wanted to keep Russia as allies, so they sent supplies and troops to the Whites in order for them to better fight the Red Army and the spreading threat of communism.

Even with all of the help they received, the Whites were not able to fight the Red Army effectively. Even with all of the help they received, the Whites were not able to fight the Red Army effectively. The Whites were disorganized. The Whites were disorganized. After 3 years, the Bolsheviks defeated the Whites, and the civil war ended. After 3 years, the Bolsheviks defeated the Whites, and the civil war ended. Over 800,000 soldiers had died, and the Bolsheviks formed the “cheka” or secret police. Over 800,000 soldiers had died, and the Bolsheviks formed the “cheka” or secret police. This equals approximately 730 ½ people dead per day…every day for 3 years. This equals approximately 730 ½ people dead per day…every day for 3 years.

Russia Under Lenin Once the Communists seized control in 1917, they reorganized the government. Once the Communists seized control in 1917, they reorganized the government. Moscow became the capital. Moscow became the capital. Lenin became the Head of the Cabinet which is equivalent to leader of the country. Lenin became the Head of the Cabinet which is equivalent to leader of the country. In 1922, Russia became known as the USSR. In 1922, Russia became known as the USSR.

Between , all industries were nationalized under War Communism. Between , all industries were nationalized under War Communism. In 1921, Lenin introduced NEP. The New Economic Policy. In 1921, Lenin introduced NEP. The New Economic Policy. The NEP encouraged people to buy and sell goods, and allowed foreign people to invest. The NEP encouraged people to buy and sell goods, and allowed foreign people to invest. Collective Farms were formed. Collective Farms were formed. Lenin said the NEP would lead USSR to economic recovery. Lenin said the NEP would lead USSR to economic recovery. Lenin had a debilitating stroke in 1922, and he died in Lenin had a debilitating stroke in 1922, and he died in 1924.

Lenin’s body is still on display today. Lenin’s body is still on display today.