Russian Revolution

Czar Nicholas II Ruled from 1894 – 1917 Ruled from 1894 – 1917 Ruled over Russia, Finland and Poland Ruled over Russia, Finland and Poland Captured by Lvov Captured by Lvov Killed by the Bolsheviks Killed by the Bolsheviks Killed by the Bolsheviks Killed by the Bolsheviks Became “Nicholas the Martyr” Became “Nicholas the Martyr”

Problems with Nicholas II Repressive and aristocratic regimes of the Romanov dynasty Repressive and aristocratic regimes of the Romanov dynasty Nicholas II inability to allow any form of reform and a refusal to release Absolutism Nicholas II inability to allow any form of reform and a refusal to release Absolutism Nicholas II Nicholas II Low living standard for the people of Russia Low living standard for the people of Russia

February Revolution What was it? Abdication of Czar Nicholas II Abdication of Czar Nicholas II Led by Gregory Lvov then Alexander Kerensky Led by Gregory Lvov then Alexander Kerensky Liberal and Socialist coalition Liberal and Socialist coalition Democratically elected government Democratically elected governmentProblems Didn’t represent the people Didn’t represent the people Soldiers deserting Soldiers deserting Pressure from other political groups Pressure from other political groups Would not end Russia’s involvement in WWI Would not end Russia’s involvement in WWI Shortage of Food Shortage of Food

Causes of October Revolution Severe economic and social crisis in Russia Severe economic and social crisis in Russia Russia in WWI: “This isn’t war it is slaughter” Lenin Russia in WWI: “This isn’t war it is slaughter” LeninLenin Corruption in Government Corruption in Government Large Poverty Gap Large Poverty Gap Revolutionary Middle Class Revolutionary Middle Class New Ideas of Marxism in Europe New Ideas of Marxism in EuropeMarxism Vladimir Lenin leader of the visionary Revolutionary class Vladimir Lenin leader of the visionary Revolutionary class

Bolsheviks “The Majority” Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Lenin Founder of the Party Founder of the Party Led the October Revolution Led the October Revolution Became the leader Communist Party of the Soviet Union Became the leader Communist Party of the Soviet Union Opposite of the Mensheviks “Minority” Opposite of the Mensheviks “Minority” *Seen as dangerous- Germany sent him back to Russia to ‘stir things up’ and avoid problems his causing problems in GErmany *Seen as dangerous- Germany sent him back to Russia to ‘stir things up’ and avoid problems his causing problems in GErmany

October Revolution Coup d’etat: Lenin & Trotsky’s Red Army (October 25 th, 1917) Coup d’etat: Lenin & Trotsky’s Red Army (October 25 th, 1917) Overtook to the Russian Provisional Government Overtook to the Russian Provisional Government Established Soviet Communism Established Soviet Communism Civil War: Civil War: Supported by foreign governmentsSupported by foreign governments Bolsheviks kill all political opponentsBolsheviks kill all political opponents

Soviet Government Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) or Soviet Union Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) or Soviet Union Not Marx’s Communism Not Marx’s Communism Totalitarian Government Totalitarian Government Nationalized BanksNationalized Banks Government owned factoriesGovernment owned factories No private bank accountsNo private bank accounts Church’s nationalizedChurch’s nationalized Higher wages, shorter work daysHigher wages, shorter work days All foreign debts were repudiatedAll foreign debts were repudiated

Death of Lenin Weakened by Revolution Weakened by Revolution Failed Assassination Attempt Failed Assassination Attempt Multiple Strokes Multiple Strokes Died January 21, 1924 Died January 21, 1924 In a letter Trotsky was to gain power In a letter Trotsky was to gain power

Joseph Stalin v. Leon Trotsky

Joseph Stalin Controlled the Secret Police (KGB) Controlled the Secret Police (KGB) Controlled many local governments Controlled many local governments Socialist Revolution “One country at a time” Socialist Revolution “One country at a time” Conspired against Trotsky Conspired against Trotsky Leon Trotsky Lenin’s personal pick for Russia Lenin’s personal pick for Russia Plotted against by Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamanev Plotted against by Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamanev Socialist World Revolution Socialist World Revolution Warned of Stalin’s mistreatment of power Warned of Stalin’s mistreatment of power

Joseph Stalin “Man of Steel” “Man of Steel” Ruled from Ruled from Exile of Trotsky and Assassination Exile of Trotsky and Assassination “Five-Year-Plans” “Five-Year-Plans” Collectivization of Agriculture Collectivization of Agriculture Killing of Kulaks Killing of Kulaks Famine ( ) Famine ( ) Ruthless Rule over Peasantry Ruthless Rule over Peasantry