Russian Revolution

Russian Government Before Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, no political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

Czar Alexander II He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom, In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States. Killed by the Revolutionary Group: “The People’s Will” He was killed by the terrorist organization when one of their members threw a bomb at him while walking the streets of St. Petersburg

Czar Alexander III Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia . His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements. There was an unsuccessful assassination attempt by Vladimir Lenin’s brother

Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War. Russia lost land and resources WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular with his people

Czar Nicholas II and Family Queen Alexandria, Son was Alexei (suffered from hemophilia Czar Nicholas II and Family

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar. This was an embarrassing loss for Russia (First victory of an Asian Nation Against a European Power)

Russo-Japanese War (1904)

Bloody Sunday (1905) This is when Russian citizens protested in front of the Winter Palace (home of the Tsar) and his military opened fire on the crowd killing over 100 Russians. This led to Russians having little trust in their leader. The Tsar was forced to create a “Duma” to allow representatives a voice

Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front The Tsar is now gone and Queen Alexandria falls under the spell of Rasputin

Rasputin

Rasputin and his evil trickery The Tsar leaves Russia and his wife Queen Alexandria is in charge Rasputin’s power comes from the myth that he is a true healer and upon his touch he can cure any illness The Tsar’s son Alexei has hemophilia (blood clout disease

Rasputin and his evil trickery The Queen falls into his spell because she is convinced he can heal her son. This allowed him to have full control of the royal family and he put his followers in position of high government office. He is also known as a “Womanizer” he had a certain flare that attracted a lot of women He used Sex as his weapon to take control He made horrible decisions and this led to the people of Russia to question the royal family and saw them as “Vulnerable”

March Revolution (1917) 1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI

Assassination of Tsar Nicolas II and his Family The Russian Population was devastated to hear that over 2 million casualties occurred Mass desertion (leaving and did not follow orders) made them feel the Tsar has lost his role as a good leader In all over 6 million casualties of war before they quit Here is the story of the Assassination Show Youtube Re-enactment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHsq9Od8bsU

October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917 Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread” Won support of people (especially peasants)

1918 1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.

1919-1920 1919 White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. 1920- Reds defeat Whites

Rule of Lenin 1920-1924 Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism Political Reforms -Bolshevik party became Communist Party -Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics

Communism A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

1924 Lenin Dies Power Vaccuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control Now must decide how he will maintain power Decides to create a totalitarian state

Characteristics of a Totalitarian State Dictatorship- Absolute Authority Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation State Control Over All Sectors of Society Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts State Control Over the Individual Obedience Denies basic liberties Organized Violence Uses force to crush opposition

Stalin’s Totalitarian State State Control of the Economy 5 year plan, collective farms Police Terror Great Purge, crush opposition Religious Persecution Control of the individual Propaganda (socialist realism) Molding peoples minds Education Controlled by the government