1. Revolutions!

2. Oppressive Rule by the Czars
Czar = Russian Emperor
In the 1800s, the Czars were cruel and oppressive to the people of Russia
Nicholas I, Alexander II, etc. clung to a form of government called Autocracy
Autocracy: a form of government in which the ruler has total power
1881 – Alexander III succeeds his father, Alexander II
Alexander III

3. Oppression Alexander III wanted a “uniform” Russian culture
Established a secret police to report on people (especially students!)
Sent prisoners to Siberia (BRRRrrrrr!)
Russian became the “OFFICIAL” language
Couldn’t speak other languages, especially Polish, in public life
Persecuted Jews
Pogrom = Organized violence against Jews

4. Russia “Industrializes”
Russia lagged behind Europe in terms of Industrialization
But, they did begin to build factories and boosted heavy industry, especially steel and railroads

5. The Revolution Grows
The Marxists (followers of Karl Marx) establish a following
They wanted the Proletariat to overthrow the czar
Proletariat = Working Classes
The Marxists split into two groups

6. Mensheviks vs. Bolsheviks
Moderate
Wanted a broad base of support from the Russian people to overthrow the government
Radical
Wanted a small number of dedicated revolutionaries to overthrow the government
Lead by Vladimir Lenin
Strong organizer
Extremely ruthless
Fled to Europe in early 1900s to avoid arrest, but would return to and gain power

7. Crisis in Russia! Russo-Japanese War Late 1800s
Russia and Japan signed several agreements over territory in Asia, but Japan broke them
Russia goes to war against Japan
News of Russia’s defeats spreads and leads to unrest

8. Bloody Sunday January 22nd, 1905
200,000 workers march on the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg
Demanded better working conditions, more personal freedom and an elected legislature
Nicholas II’s army fired on protesters. More than 1,0o0 people were killed
Lead to massive strikes and violence
Eventually Nicholas gave in and created a legislature, called the Duma

9. WWI and Russia Nicholas II gets Russia dragged into WWI
They were not prepared militarily or economically
Nicholas goes to the front to run the war, his wife runs the government
Gets mixed up with Rasputin – a “holy man” with “magical healing powers”
Rasputin starts making government decisions, many of which upset the people

10. March Revolution
March 1917 – riots over shortages of bread and fuel lead to over 200,000 people protesting in the streets
Nicholas II steps down (and is murdered a year later)
A Provisional Government is set up by the Duma – Decides to keep fighting in WWI

11. Lenin Returns After the fall of the Czar, Lenin returns from Europe.
Assumes leadership of the Bolsheviks

12. November Revolution
Armed factory workers storm the Winter Palace in November of 1917
Toppled the Provisional Government
Gave farmland to farmers, factories to workers
Stopped fighting Germany

13. Bolsheviks in power
Russians were unhappy with terms of peace treaty (had to give land to Germany)
Civil war erupts between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (Mensheviks).
Red Army crushes all opposition over three years.
Extremely bloody – over 14 million Russians die

14. After the civil war… Lenin restores order Saw Nationalism as a threat
Institutes the NEP (New Economic Policy)
State controls most businesses, but allows small farmers and workers to own businesses
Saw Nationalism as a threat
Reorganized into several distinct regions
United Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R)
Renames the Bolshevik party “Communists”
But, essentially just created a dictatorship