2. Czar Nicholas II ruled Russia from 1894-1917 Czar Nicholas II ruled Russia from 1894-1917 Was an Autocrat and controlled all aspects of Government Was an Autocrat and controlled all aspects of Government Married to Alexandra (his cousin) Married to Alexandra (his cousin) Had 4 daughters and 1 son Alexis Had 4 daughters and 1 son Alexis Alexis suffered from Hemophilia (blood clotting disease) Alexis suffered from Hemophilia (blood clotting disease) Because of this Alexandra and Nicholas relied on the help of Gregori Rasputin who helped ease Alexis’ condition. Because of this Alexandra and Nicholas relied on the help of Gregori Rasputin who helped ease Alexis’ condition.

3. Rasputin gained the trust of the royal couple and Alexandra made no decisions without consulting Rasputin first Rasputin interfered in government affairs and many powerful aristocrats blamed Rasputin He was assassinated in Dec. 1916

4. The Russo-Japanese War (1905). The Russo-Japanese War (1905). Russia and Japan competed for control over Manchuria and Korea. Russia and Japan competed for control over Manchuria and Korea. Japan attacked in 1904. Russia lost the war and led to unrest and riots in Russia Japan attacked in 1904. Russia lost the war and led to unrest and riots in Russia

6. Demonstration led by Father Gapon on Czar’s Palace Demonstrators wanted: b better working conditions, more personal freedoms elected national legislature. Soldiers fired on the crowd and between 500-1,000 unarmed people were killed. Bloody Sunday set off a wave of strikes and violence across Russia. In response, Nicholas II approved the creation of the Duma-Russia’s First Parliament.

7. Alliances brought Russia into WWI in 1914 unprepared for war Alliances brought Russia into WWI in 1914 unprepared for war WWI showed the Czar was weak WWI showed the Czar was weak Soldiers mutinied Soldiers mutinied Food and fuel supplies were dwindling on the home front. Food and fuel supplies were dwindling on the home front. Germany sensed the weakness of the Russians Germany sensed the weakness of the Russians Helped Lenin to get into Russia Helped Lenin to get into Russia Hoped he would help pull Russia out of the war. Hoped he would help pull Russia out of the war. Lenin was a Marxist who wanted to create a Communist State in Russia Lenin was a Marxist who wanted to create a Communist State in Russia

8. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848. The Communist Manifesto: The Communist Manifesto: all movements in history are a result of economic class struggle. all movements in history are a result of economic class struggle. The Proletariat (or working class) were exploited by the bourgeoisie. The Proletariat (or working class) were exploited by the bourgeoisie. Marx argued that there would be a worldwide revolution in industrialized nations where the workers would unite and overthrow the upper classes Marx argued that there would be a worldwide revolution in industrialized nations where the workers would unite and overthrow the upper classes

9. V.I. Lenin V.I. Lenin was heavily influenced by Marxist theories which are the basis of communism in the 20 th Century. V.I. Lenin was heavily influenced by Marxist theories which are the basis of communism in the 20 th Century. Communism: all means of production: land, mines, factories, railroads and businesses would be owned by the government Communism: all means of production: land, mines, factories, railroads and businesses would be owned by the government Under a communist state: all goods and services would be shared equally. Under a communist state: all goods and services would be shared equally.

10. The March Revolution Riots broke out again during a strike in Petrograd in March 1917. Riots broke out again during a strike in Petrograd in March 1917. This local protest led to a general uprising which led to the abdication of the Czar. This local protest led to a general uprising which led to the abdication of the Czar. Leaders of the Duma set up the Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky. Leaders of the Duma set up the Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky.

11. The Provisional Government The Provisional Government made the costly mistake of continuing to fight in World War I. The Provisional Government made the costly mistake of continuing to fight in World War I. Social revolutionaries formed Soviets (or local councils) to discuss the political situation in Russia. Social revolutionaries formed Soviets (or local councils) to discuss the political situation in Russia. In April 1917, Lenin returns to Russia with the intent of overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing a communist state. In April 1917, Lenin returns to Russia with the intent of overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing a communist state.

12. The Bolshevik Revolution In November 1917, the Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd. In November 1917, the Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd. They also took over government offices and arrested the leaders of the Provisional government. They also took over government offices and arrested the leaders of the Provisional government. The Bolshevik Revolution was over in just a few hours The Bolshevik Revolution was over in just a few hours

13. The Civil War in Russia Whites (or Royalists, or anyone not Red) vs. the Reds (or Bolsheviks) Whites (or Royalists, or anyone not Red) vs. the Reds (or Bolsheviks) Other nations stepped in to help the Whites including troops from the United States. Other nations stepped in to help the Whites including troops from the United States. About 15 million people died in the 3 year Civil War and in the famine and flu epidemic that followed. About 15 million people died in the 3 year Civil War and in the famine and flu epidemic that followed. The Red Army crushed all opposition but the real challenge occurred in years following the civil war. The Red Army crushed all opposition but the real challenge occurred in years following the civil war.

14. The Soviet Union under Lenin Russia was devastated after WWI and the Civil War. They lost about ½ of their population. Russia was devastated after WWI and the Civil War. They lost about ½ of their population. By 1922 wages had dropped to 1/10 of prewar levels. By 1922 wages had dropped to 1/10 of prewar levels. Western nations blockaded Russia so nothing could leave or enter Western nations blockaded Russia so nothing could leave or enter Lenin concerned that the new communist experiment would fail Lenin concerned that the new communist experiment would fail

15. The New Economic Policy Lenin combined some capitalism into his communist experiment. Lenin combined some capitalism into his communist experiment. Lenin described it as taking 1 step backward to move 2 steps forward. Lenin described it as taking 1 step backward to move 2 steps forward. The NEP helped to jump start the economy with small scale capitalism The NEP helped to jump start the economy with small scale capitalism After NEP success, the Communist party introduced measures to bring about a classless society. After NEP success, the Communist party introduced measures to bring about a classless society. Lenin dies in 1924 which led to a power struggle with Joseph Stalin eventually gaining control of the Soviet Union Lenin dies in 1924 which led to a power struggle with Joseph Stalin eventually gaining control of the Soviet Union