1. The Russian Revolution

2. Causes of the Russian Revolution

3. 1. Oppression of the Romanov Czars
Romanov family ruled Russia Absolutely with total power
Kept individual rights to a minimum
People get tired of having no individual freedom

4. Nicholas II and w/family
Anastasia
Nicholas II and w/family

5. 2. Industrialization of Russia
As Russia industrialized in the late 1800s, workers were abused
The gap between rich and poor widened
The majority of Russian people were poor workers
Czar Nicholas II did nothing to help the workers by way of reform

6. 3. Russo-Japanese War
1904
Russia took on Japan for control of Korean Peninsula
Embarrassing loss to the Czar (major upset)
People begin to lose faith in his leadership

7. 4. Bloody Sunday:1905 Revolution
Workers and their families marched on Nick’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to protest poor working conditions, low wages, and an elected legislature
One of Nick’s generals panicked and ordered open fire on the crowd killing and wounding over 1,000 (many were women and children)

8. Bloody Sunday Cont’d
As a result Nick created Russia’s first Parliament called the Duma

9. 5. World War I Nick refused to pull Russia out of the war
Russia suffered the most casualties and people blamed Nick (kind of like Pres. Bush w/ Iraq, he is losing support as more men die)

10. 6. Royal Ties to Rasputin
A “fake” priest who claimed to have mystic powers
Was befriended by Nick’s wife Alexandra because she believed he could help their son Alex who had hemophilia
Was running the country through Alexandra while Nick was away conducting WWI
Rasputin was despised by Russian people

12. 7. The Bolshevik Movement
Started by VI Lenin as an answer to Nicholas’ weak leadership
Organized workers, soldiers, and farmers into groups called Soviets
Spread Karl Marx ideas of communism
Wanted to create a society where all people were equal – no rich and no poor
Will ultimately overthrow Nicholas from power and turn Russia into a communist state