Lenin’s Russia Lenin Seizes power & builds an Empire

Reform Movement in Russia Existed long before the Revolution began in 1917 – famine produced “social awakening” among educated classes –People, however, did not agree on the type of change needed Duma included “moderates” seeking a constitutional monarchy Czar rule was destined to change => yet the outcome of the revolution was unpredictable in 1917

Bolsheviks What: Russian Marxist group Leader: Vladimir Lenin Goal: communist revolution in Russia How: have a small group of committed revolutionaries force radical social/political change on Russia

What is Marxism? (Reading…) Means of production Private Property

Fall of Czar Rule March 1917: Nicholas II steps down, family executed 1918 March 1917: Textile workers strike in Petrograd Leaders of Duma form Provisional Government Soviets are formed (local councils consisting of workers, peasants & soldiers) April 1917 Lenin returns to Russia

“All Power to Soviets” Lenin promises a new way to govern:

Lenin Seizes Power Lenin and his Bolsheviks seize power in November 1917 –Lenin seizes power through violence (at gunpoint) –He then moved to ruthlessly destroy opposition Lenin distributes land to peasants and factories to workers –Will Marxism work?

What is to be done? Primary Source Reading

Lenin takes power in 1917 Russia falls into Civil War Signs treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918 TIMELINE 15 million people die! (war, famine, disease) Economy destroyed!

Economic Reforms New Economic Policy 1921 Encouraged foreign investment Allowed some Capitalism Lenin is victorious in Civil War 1920

Political Reforms 1922 named Russia the USSR Organized Russia into self-ruling Republics (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Bolsheviks rename party the Communist Party Became a dictatorship of the Communist Party

Lenin dies in Years old Who would take his place?

Joseph Stalin Power Struggle Leon Trotsky

Lenin Video Analysis