Russian Revolution 1917

Similar to France….

1905 Revolution starts with “Bloody Sunday” Father Gapon, a Russian priest, was concerned about the conditions of the working class. He started a strike & organized a peaceful protest to the Tsar’s palace. He wanted to deliver a petition to the Tsar to ask for better working conditions and pay for the people. 30,000 people marched to the Tsar’s palace, only to be fired upon by his army! Therefore the military attacked unarm peaceful citizens! Tsar’s records say about 100 died and 300 wounded, but anti-Tsarist accounts say more than 4,000 were shot or trampled

Bloody Sunday

WWI Begins Russian’s aren’t doing well fighting the Germans. Because of “total war,” much of the resources are sent to the front and the Russian peasants and urban poor are starving and sick of fighting/losing this war. Factories could not turn out enough supplies, transportation system broke down, badly equipped & poorly led troops died in staggering numbers. 1915- 2 million men died on the front lines.

Czar tries to save the war Nicholas goes to the front to take charge! Leaves his wife Alexandra in charge and Rasputin’s influence cripples the dynasty. Nicolas does NO better than the generals. And his government does not help his starving people.

Renamed… Petrograd in 1914 Leningrad by 1924

Czar loses power Food shortages, many dead because of the war, strikes, marches….. Women wanted BREAD (like in France) DUMA became the new government, led by bourgeoisie.

Soviets = proletariat (working class & soldiers who want Communism) Duma= Bourgeoisie (middle class liberals) Soviets = proletariat (working class & soldiers who want Communism)

Duma’s biggest blunder… kept Russia in the Great War, even though the people wanted to stop fighting and focus on their own problems.

Soviets wanted Communism The Soviets/communist overthrew the DUMA/bourgeoisie/Czar

Bolsheviks- Elite Socialist Revolutionary party, named bolsheviks, meaning “majority” Led by Vladimir Lenin Seize control of Duma in the October revolution And make Moscow the new capital.

Lenin promised the people… Peace, land, bread 2. Workers control of Production FACTORIES & FARMS 3. All power to the Soviets

New communist Symbol Sickle & hammer

Achieved by the Bolsheviks Pull out of WWI - signed the Treaty of Brest Litvosk - Gives Germany & Central Powers- 1/3 population, 1/3 of its agricultural, ¾ of its industries 2. Murder the Czar & his family! - murders Romanov family - pic shows were gunned down, basement wall

Lenin and the Bolsheviks Create a Communist government However, not everyone Liked the idea… So they fell into a Civil war!

Russian Civil War… (3 years) White Army vs Anti-Bolsheviks 1 million troops Supported by allies (USA, U.K., & France)! with troops & supplies Red Army Bolsheviks 5.4 million troops United by Nationalism. Used the Cheka (secret police) to fight/kill counter revolutionaries, also sent people to forced labor camps.

What are they fighting for???? Soviets/Reds want Russia to be Communist, want equality and end Feudal system Whites/anti-Bolsheviks want to keep the country the way it is and remain allied with France, USA, and British.

Winner – the Reds! Like the French Reign of Terror, the Reds use the Cheka to create “The Red Terror” and kill those opposed to their leadership.

Lenin & the Soviets created a Communist Country Russian Empire becomes U.S.S.R. in 1922 United Soviet Socialist Republics