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.

Royal Background Nicholas II Created the first secret police in Russia, brutal leader, response to revolt of army officers in 1825

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

Czar Alexander III Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia. His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

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 and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Czar Nicholas II and Family

Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

Bloody Sunday (1905)

Bloody Sunday-January 22, 1905 Began in St Petersburg Unarmed, peaceful demonstrators marched to present a petition and were gunned down by Imperial Guard Disaster of Russo-Japanese War revealed corruption and incompetence of czar

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

World War I/ Rasputin Had control over the Tsar Nicholas II and the Tsarina Was murdered in December 1916 World War I was a disaster.

Rasputin with Admirers

March Revolution (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

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

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

White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. Bolsheviks (means “majority” in Russian, but in fact they had fewer members) – REDS Menshoviks (means “minority” in Russian, had fewer members, but this is what the Bolsheviks called them, so it stuck) -- WHITES Reds defeat Whites

Rule of Lenin 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

Winners and Losers Winners Communist Party Some Workers Massive Literacy Project— all those who learn to read and write Vastly improved health care—all those who lived longer and healthier Women Losers Poorest peasants Traditional Russian upper classes Many of those in traditional Russian middle classes Those killed or imprisoned because of oppressive regime Jews, Muslims, other ethnic minorities Romanovs – the royal family was killed, and their bodies were “secretly” disposed of – led to rumors of their survival True communists Democracy