Bellringer SOL Challenge 8 Have out the SOL Wrap-Up…is it done? BJOTD: Why did the rocket lose its job? – Submitted by Kenni Ruby

The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Communism in Russia

What were the Causes of the Russian Revolution? Political Causes – Before the Revolution, Russia was an absolute monarchy – the leader, Czar Nicolas II was incompetent. Economic – Russia did not have as strong or as industrialized an economy as other countries. – They tried to catch up, but rapid industrialization led to social unrest.

Social – Industrialization caused problems. Like? – Landless peasants were treated poorly and were angry – A large gap between the rich and poor led to movements for change Bolsheviks: a group willing to sacrifice everything for radical change. Led by Vladimir Lenin.

Military Causes – Russo-Japanese War in 1905: Russia and Japan competed for Korea and Manchuria as imperialist powers and Russia lost led to unrest and revolt at home – Bloody Sunday, /22/1905: 200,000 workers and their families approached the palace in St. Petersburg asking for better working conditions from Nicolas. Between were killed by Nicolas – WWI Military defeats and high casualties upset people in Russia

The March Revolution March 1917: women textile workers led a city- wide strike and after there were riots over shortages of food and fuel The protests grew into a rebellion and Nicolas was forced to step down from the throne. He and his family were later executed. A temporary government was set up to take its place. Chaos ensued.

The Bolshevik Revolution Vladimir Lenin led the Red Army of the Bolsheviks to overthrow the government of Russia Their motto:“Peace, Land, and Bread” The Bolsheviks demanded that farmland be given to the peasants, the workers needed to be in charge of factories, and that Russia make a truce with Germany (WWI)

Civil War Started because Lenin had surrendered a lot of land to Germany in the Treaty of Brest- Litovsk Red Army (Bolsheviks) vs. the White Army Red Army wins, but 15 million Russians die.

Lenin’s Solution Economic changes: New Economic Policy (NEP): Created a new economy that was a mixture of capitalism and state control. Peasants could sell their extra crops instead of giving them to the government. The government kept control of major industries but let some small factories and business operate privately. Political Reforms: – Russia organized into self-governing republics under 1 central government – 1922: formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Bolsheviks renamed the Communists

Lenin’s Successor: Joseph Stalin Stalin took control of Russia after Lenin died. Stalin transformed Russia into a totalitarian state – where a government has total control over every aspect of public and private life

Social Changes Stalin made several social changes: – Secret Police: monitored telephones, read mail, and planted informants (even children). – Censorships: many soviet writers, composers, and other artists were not allowed to create anything that went against the state. – Great Purge: a campaign of terror aimed at eliminating anyone who threatened his power. He had many supposed and/or real enemies killed. – Propaganda – Religious Persecution

Children Informants

Censorship (following the Purge)

Economic Changes Stalin changed the economy in Russia to Socialism Stalin wanted to modernize the economy as fast as possible by developing heavy industry and increasing food production – 5-year Plans: forced factories to meet impossibly high goals for the production of goods in order to promote rapid industrial growth – Collective Farms: by 1928, the government began to seize over 25 million privately owned farms in the USSR and combined them into large, government owned farms called collective farms This led to a surplus of food in the USSR

The Future Stalin remains in control of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party until well into the 1930s.