Objective: To examine the Russian Revolutions and the impact they had on World War I. Vladimir Lenin, 1917

Bloody Sunday January 22, 1905 The Czar’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg Citizens seeking better working conditions, more personal freedom, and a national legislature are met by general and police chiefs – 500-1,000 unarmed people are killed

The Opening of the Duma: Possible Reforms? 1906  After Bloody Sunday Revolution, Czar Nicholas formed the Duma- Russia’s first parliament.  Hesitant to share power he dissolved it 10 weeks later

Adaptation of Marxist ideas of overthrow of communisim Wanted elite group to keep much of power over Russia As Russia’s problems grew more serious, Bolsheviks gained more followers Czar Nicholas hoped entering WWI on the side of the Allied Powers would cause people to rally to his leadership Bolshevik Plan Russia a troubled nation Czar Nicholas II had promised reform after 1905 revolution, but delivered little real change Bolsheviks sought to change life through revolution, wanted to overthrow czar Led by Lenin, wanted proletariat to rule Russia as socialist country The Years Before the War Russia and World War I

Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915 Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters Czar’s fate became linked with fate of Russian armed forces Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command Conditions in Russia worse than on battlefield Food, goods scarce; peasants grew desperate Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigory Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral Shaky support for Russian monarchy dipped even lower Russian army seemed doomed Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership Army had little strength, even less confidence Conditions Grow Worse

Russian Revolutions February 1917 – Riots protesting the shortage of food forced Russia’s Czar Nicholas II from powerCzar Nicholas II First Russian Revolution

October 1917 – The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in Russia and began the communist revolution. BolsheviksVladimir Lenin Communist / Bolshevik Revolution

Russia signed the Treaty of Brest- Litovsk with Germany and dropped out of the war. Treaty of Brest- Litovsk Germany then sent their troops on the Eastern Front to the Western Front.

Russian Czar Nicholas II, left, and his son Prince Alexei are shown sawing wood to heat the dwelling in Siberia, where they were held during the Russian Revolution. The entire royal family was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

CommunismCommunism – a theory that supports the elimination of private property and the equal distribution of goods -Government controls. Created by the German philosopher Karl Marx. Karl Marx Karl Marx ( ).

In Russia became known as the U.S.S.R. For the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics. Capital of U.S.S.R. was Moscow Bolsheviks renamed their party Communist Party Lenin controlled as a dictator until his death in 1924 Communist symbol located on the flag of the former U.S.S. R.

Last of the Czars: Revolution