1. The Russian Revolution

2. Historical Background:
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Russian society was changing
Peasants were starving

3. As Russia industrialized, a middle class was created
They wanted to participate in politics

4. Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, came to power during this period.

5. The Marxists: One of the opposition groups that was created
Wanted the peasants and workers to overthrow the government

6. The Marxists split into two groups
One was called the Bolsheviks, and was led by Vladimir Lenin

7. Lenin promised the people "Peace, Land, and Bread" to gain popluar support.

8. World War I:
World War I made the Russian people question the government even more because they were so easily defeated by Germany

9. The war put a huge strain on the Russian economy

10. The February Revolution:
A personal friend of the czar (Rasputin) was killed and strikes and riots broke out over food shortages

11. Nicholas was forced to abdicate his throne and his family was killed by the Bolsheviks

12. A temporary government was established by the parliament
The Bolsheviks opposed this government

13. The October Revolution:
By 1917,Russia had been seriously weakened by WWI – Lenin saw this as an opportunity for a Bolshevik take-over of the government

14. The Bolsheviks took control of the Russian government and immediately pulled Russia out of the war

15. A month after the October Revolution counterrevolutionaries organized into an army called the “White Russians”

16. The White Russians and the Red Army (the Bolshevik army) engaged in a civil war for the next three years

17. The United States, France, Britain, and Japan offered support to the White Russians

18. The Red Army (The Bolsheviks) eventually won the war and made Russia a communist nation