The Russian Revolution

Effects of WWI on Russia The War caused massive economic problems The War caused massive economic problems –Lacked sufficient food, arms, and roads Russian population lost faith in the czarist regime Russian population lost faith in the czarist regime The Duma demanded reforms The Duma demanded reforms Nicholas tried to dissolve the Duma Nicholas tried to dissolve the Duma Nicholas lost control of the army Nicholas lost control of the army

Europe During WWI

February Revolution Occurred because of lack of food and fuel throughout Russia Occurred because of lack of food and fuel throughout Russia Many demonstrators began to riot Many demonstrators began to riot When the government tried to put down the revolts by using the troops, the troops sided with the demonstrators When the government tried to put down the revolts by using the troops, the troops sided with the demonstrators This event was also known as the March Revolution because of Russia’s use of the Gregorian calendar This event was also known as the March Revolution because of Russia’s use of the Gregorian calendar

February Revolution

Fall of the Czar Because Nicholas lost control of the Duma and the Army he had no real control left in the country Because Nicholas lost control of the Duma and the Army he had no real control left in the country The Duma refused to disband The Duma refused to disband The Russian Army began to side with the demonstrators The Russian Army began to side with the demonstrators Nicholas abdicated his throne in March of 1917 Nicholas abdicated his throne in March of 1917 –Nicholas abdicated the throne for Alexei The Russian royal family was taken prisoner The Russian royal family was taken prisoner

Provisional Government After Nicholas abdicated the Duma assumed control of Russia After Nicholas abdicated the Duma assumed control of Russia The Duma was made up of a majority of conservative members The Duma was made up of a majority of conservative members Ran the Government until a constitutional assembly could be elected to create a constitution Ran the Government until a constitutional assembly could be elected to create a constitution Came to be hated because they chose to continue the war Came to be hated because they chose to continue the war

Lenin and the Bolsheviks Another group working for more radical changes Another group working for more radical changes The group known as the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ was stirring up trouble The group known as the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ was stirring up trouble –Soviet in Russian means Council –Made up of workers and soldiers This group was headed by people believing in Socialist ideas This group was headed by people believing in Socialist ideas –Believed in political and economical equality

The Petrograd Soviet

The Soviet Within the Soviet there were two groups, the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks Within the Soviet there were two groups, the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks –Mensheviks were a liberal minority group that advocated gradual reform and opposed the Bolsheviks –Bolsheviks were radicals or revolutionaries who were the radical majority of the Soviet, opposed the Mensheviks Both fought for power of the Soviet Both fought for power of the Soviet

Vladimir Lenin

Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik party Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik party Lenin had vowed to avenge his brother’s death Lenin had vowed to avenge his brother’s death –Lenin’s brother was executed for conspiring to overthrow the Czar Lenin joined the revolutionary party and was exiled for his involvement in revolutionary activities Lenin joined the revolutionary party and was exiled for his involvement in revolutionary activities Was later sent back to Russia by the Germans to weaken the Czars support during WWI Was later sent back to Russia by the Germans to weaken the Czars support during WWI

Lenin Cont. Lenin was a Marxist and his ideas formed the basis for communism Lenin was a Marxist and his ideas formed the basis for communism On November 7, 1917 the Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government and took control of Russia On November 7, 1917 the Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government and took control of Russia This event is known as the October Revolution or November Revolution This event is known as the October Revolution or November Revolution Bolsheviks changed their name to the Communist Party Bolsheviks changed their name to the Communist Party

Peace and Civil War Lenin and the new communist government were desperate for peace they signed a treaty with the Central Powers Lenin and the new communist government were desperate for peace they signed a treaty with the Central Powers –Treaty of Brest-Litovsk gave up a large amount of Russian lands to Germany Lenin then looked to solve Russia’s problems but supporters of the Monarchy revolted Lenin then looked to solve Russia’s problems but supporters of the Monarchy revolted The Russian Civil War broke out pitting the Communist/Soviet Reds against the supporters of the Monarchy or Whites The Russian Civil War broke out pitting the Communist/Soviet Reds against the supporters of the Monarchy or Whites

Foreign Involvement during the Russian Civil War

Peace and Civil War Cont. The Communist executed the Czar and his family to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Whites and putting them back in power The Communist executed the Czar and his family to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Whites and putting them back in power The Civil War lasted for 3 years The Civil War lasted for 3 years –The allies were angered by the Russians signing a treaty with the Central Powers and supported the White Army –Even supplied the Whites with weapons, troops, and money By 1921 the communists had won and established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the Soviet union By 1921 the communists had won and established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the Soviet union