The Russian Revolution

1. The Russian Revolution • Revolution in Russia was a main reason it dropped out of the WWI in 1918 • Events as far back as the early 1800s led to the final explosion in 1917 • 1547-1917: Russia was ruled by a czar • Czar = Emperor or King, usually passed down by family heritage • For most of the 1800s czars caused widespread problems in Russia • Czars and a small portion of society lived well, but most were poor • Czars treated peasants ruthlessly, exploiting (taking advantage) them for their own gains • Throughout the 1800s secret revolutionary groups formed, including one that assassinated Alexander II in 1881

2. Alexander III takes over • In 1881, Alexander III took over for his father as czar • Alexander II tried to make changes in Russia, but his son put a halt to reforms • Anyone who questioned Alexander III, Russian Orthodox religion, or spoke a different language than Russian was targeted • Alexander III wanted to halt any chance of revolution so he censored (reviewed/edited) all written materials, including private letters • His secret police carefully watched over anyone suspicious. Students were closely monitored • Threats were killed or sent to Siberia

3. Alexander Attacks Minorities • Alexander III made Russian the official language of the empire • The use of other languages was forbidden especially in schools • Jews became one of the main targets of Alexander • Jews could not buy land or live with other Russians • Universities could only accept a small # of Jewish students • Pogroms broke out in Russia • Pogroms=organized violence against Jews • Police and soldiers did nothing as Russian citizens looted & destroyed Jewish homes, businesses, & synagogues

4. Russia Tries to Industrialize • Nicholas II became czar in 1894 • He pledged to remain strict, like dad • However, the world was changing and Russia had to adapt • Russia saw a rise in factories, but still lagged behind the industrial nations of western Europe • Through higher taxes & foreign investments, Russian industries began to build up • By 1900, Russia was 4th largest steel producer in the world • In 1904, the Trans-Siberian Railway, the largest continuous line, was completed • This connected European Russia with ports in the Pacific

5. Industrialization Leads to Revolution • The quick industrialization of Russia made the people even more upset • With more and more factories came more problems • Citizens worked in poor conditions for little pay • They weren’t allowed to join unions to collectively negotiate for better conditions • Child labor was widespread • The gap between the rich factory owners & poor workers was wide • Some people started thinking more and more about a revolution

6. Marx Ideals lead Revolution • The group that wanted revolution followed the ideas of Karl Marx • Marx believed that in industrial societies, the workers would eventually overthrow the czar and factory owners • The workers would then rule together splitting the cost of production & profits • This form of economy is called communism • In 1903, Russian Marxists split groups • Mensheviks- wanted to get as many people as possible in the revolution • Bolsheviks- wanted only the committed few who were willing to sacrifice everything for change

7. Vladimir Lenin • The leader of the Bolsheviks was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov • He changed his name to Vladimir Lenin • He had a likeable personality, but he was ruthless • This helped him rise to lead the Bolsheviks • However, in the early 1900s Lenin was forced to flee Russia to avoid arrest by Czar Nicholas • Despite the fact that he was out of the country, Lenin maintained contact with the Bolsheviks • He was just waiting right time to return

8. Russia in Crisis • Between 1904-1917 Russia faced many problems that weakened the czar • In 1904 Russia went to war with Japan over who would have imperial control in Korea & Manchuria • Everyone including the Russian soldiers expected an easy victory • However, they were repeatedly losing battles, causing unrest at home • In January of 1905 workers & families went to Czar Nicholas’ Winter Palace • They wanted better working conditions, more freedoms, and an elected legislature • Nicholas was not there, but his generals ordered soldiers to fire into the crowd • About 1000 unarmed people were killed • The event became known as “Bloody Sunday”

9. Russia Enters World War I • Bloody Sunday caused strikes & violence throughout Russia • Nicholas was forced to create the Duma, Russia’s first parliament • Nicholas didn’t want to share power. He sent the Duma home in 10 weeks • Other Dumas would come back, but none would have any power to make changes • In 1914 Nicholas made the decision to enter World War I • Russia was unprepared, lacking military training & supplies • Soldiers were dying in huge #’s at the hands of superior German machine guns • At home, food and fuel were scarce, along with increasingly high prices

10. The Legend of Rasputin • While Nicholas was away rallying troops his wife Czarina Alexandra was running the govt. • She ignored the czar’s advisors, instead listening to the mysterious Rasputin • Rasputin claimed to have healing powers • He seemed to help her boys symptoms of hemophilia, so Alexandra let him make political decisions • He opposed change and gave powerful positions to friends • Several attempts were made on Rasputin’s life, but he survived, making him a legend • Rasputin was finally killed after he was shot several times & thrown in the river • Rasputin told czarina that if he died she would lose her son/throne within 6 months

11. Fall of the Romanovs & Czar Rule • Rasputin’s prediction came true • In March 1917, women textile workers led a citywide strike, with other rioters soon joining • Soldiers obeyed orders to shoot rioters, but soon joined them and shot at their own officers • On March 16, 1917 Czar Nicholas II was forced to step down • Nicholas’ family, the Romanovs, had ruled as czar for over 300 years • He and his family were executed a year later

12. The Bolshevik Revolution • The Duma established a temporary or “provisional government” • The man placed in charge, Alexander Kerensky continued to fight WWI • Angry peasants formed soviets, which often had more power than the provisional govt. • Soviets= local councils made up of workers • Germany wanted Russia out of the war, so they secretly sent Lenin back in • In November 1917, armed factory workers called the Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace • Within hours the Bolshevik Revolution was over & Vladimir Lenin was in power