1. Rise of Communism in Russia

2. Background to Revolution
With lack of Military leaders and Technology Russia was unprepared for WWI
Poorly trained
Ill-equipped
Suffered terrible losses
Russian will to fight was gone by 1917

3. Background to Revolution
Czar Nicholas II relied on army and government to keep him in power
Wife Alexandra made decisions with the help of Rasputin
Rasputin was a claimed Holy Man.

4. Background to Revolution
Russian people became increasingly upset with Czar and wife
Economic Disasters
Military Losses
Food Shortages
The hope was to get rid of Rasputin
Assassinated in late 1916
Did not have effect that was hoped for

5. Background to Revolution
March 1917
Working class women led strikes in the capital city of Petrograd
Upset about bread shortages and rationing
General strike was called that would shut down all the factories

6. Background to Revolution
Czar Nicholas responded to the strikes by ordering troops to break up with force
Many soldiers refused to do so, they joined the strikers
The legislature met to set up a provisional government
Czar Nicholas stepped down

7. Background to Revolution
Alexander Kerensky headed the provisional government
Decided to continue in WWI – Grave mistake
Upset workers and peasants who wanted to end the fighting
Provisional Government was also challenged by the Soviets
– Councils representing workers and soldiers

8. The Rise of Lenin The Bolsheviks – small faction of the Marxist party
Lenin was the leader
Dedicated to violent overthrow of government

9. Rise of Lenin Bolsheviks promised to….
Lived in Switzerland between
Left when provisional government was formed
Was hoping the Bolsheviks could seize power
German military leaders helped him travel to help create disorder
Bolsheviks promised to….
End the War (WWI)
Redistribute Land to Peasants
Transfer control of factories to workers
Transfer government to the soviets

10. Rise of Lenin What the Bolsheviks believe “Peace, Land, Labor”
“Worker Control of Production”
“All Power to the Soviets”

11. The Bolsheviks Seize Power
End of October 1917
Bolsheviks = 240,000
Majorities in Petrograd and Moscow
November 6th
Bolsheviks seized the Winter Palace
Provisional Government Collapsed

12. Bolsheviks Seize Power
Lenin turned over the power to the Congress of Soviets
The real power was held in the Council of People’s Commissars which Lenin was in charge of.

13. Bolsheviks Seize Power
Bolsheviks renamed themselves Communists
March 1918
Lenin ended the war with Germany
Gave up E. Poland, Ukraine, Finland and Baltic Provinces
Believed that territories would return as socialist revolution spread

14. Civil War in Russia
Soon after Communists took control a civil war broke out.
Groups loyal to czar, anti-Leninist were joined by Allies.
They gave troops and supplies out of hope that Russia would rejoin the war

15. Civil War in Russia
Communists (Red) fought in many places from
Opposing forces were known as White Army
Fighting took place in Siberia in East, Ukraine and Baltic regions
By 1920 Red Army defeated most of the White Forces
The royal family was captured by the Communists moved and eventually killed

16. Triumph of Communists Communists won war because of excellent army
Leon Trotsky- commissar of war
Brilliantly organized army
Instituted rigid discipline
Opposition was not unified, torn by political differences and mistrust
Lacked a COMMON GOAL

17. Triumph of Communists
Some of the people wanted to restore the czar other wanted a more democratic government
Communists had strong sense of purpose and conviction
Put Ideals to work in practical ways
Controlling banks
Controlling Farms
Controlling Industries to serve Communist War Effort
Policy = War Communism

18. Triumph of Communists Communist used terror to further goals
The Cheka – Secret Police
Sought out anyone who opposed them
Created an atmosphere of fear among the people
Allies sent troops to oppose the Communists
Lenin used this act to join Russians
Foreign attempts to control the nation

19. Triumph of Communists
By 1921 Communists had complete control of Russia
Country became centralized state dominated by a single party
Because of the Allies role in the civil war the Communists mistrusted them and remained hostile