RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 

By the 20 th Century A major crisis was due and had to happen Russia was an unfair society and needed social, economic and political reform. WHY????

Political Czar Nicholas II – autocratic (had total control) and ineffective Massive personal wealth Backed by an army of 1 million and secret police Political parties banned Press was censored Harsh punishments – exile to Siberia

BUT... Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants typically had a picture of the Tsar on a wall of their hut.

SOCIAL Although there was no more serfdom, life for peasants was difficult Russia was not very industrialized, compared with the rest of Europe

Rural Life 80% were peasants – subsistence farmers 60%+ = illiterate Life expectancy = 40 Land ownership rare – communes Couldn’t leave commune without elders’ permission Drought and crop failure common

Labor in the Cities Russia had grown industrially but living and working conditions were horrendous Average working day was 14 hours Unions banned but some strikes took place Potential for political activism

Bloody Sunday ,000 workers and families marched for better working conditions, more freedom and elected leaders. Czar ordered generals to fire on crowd Several hundred killed.

WWI Russian army ineffective and losing to the Germans Nicholas II goes to the front to inspire the troops (oops!) All resources going to the war – people starving at home War still goes badly

Overthrow February People rioted against Czar Troops refused to fire against rioters, but instead joined in! Czar Nicholas II steps down Revolution turns radical Vladimir Lenin – leader of Bolsheviks (communists)

Lenin Lenin is returned to Russia by the Germans from exile. Lenin calls for “Peace, Land, and Bread” Communism could be forced by the vanguard, even without urban factory workers October 1917-Bolsheviks stage a coup – fairly peaceful

Out of WWI Communists claim absolute control Make peace with Germany- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Kill the Czar and his family Communists rule in Russia (U.S.S.R.) from

Lenin’s Rule NEP – New Economic Policy –some capitalistic components (example: farmers could sell their crops) –Big, important industries were nationalized (owned by gov’t) (examples: trains, steel production) –Goal: Industrialize Russia !!! Lenin’s death – power struggle. Stalin wins.

Rasputin A mystic who “healed” the czar’s son who had hemophilia Huge influence over royal family Was killed by royal supporters Czar’s reputation still damaged