Russian Revolution

1. Russian Revolution Spring 2012 Unit 5

2. The Big Picture • In the late 1800s Russians rebelled against the absolute power of the czar and demanded social reforms. • Long-term social unrest in Russia exploded in revolution, and ushered in the first communist government. • After Lenin died, Stalin seized power and transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state.

3. Why We Study This Unit? • The establishment of the first communist government is a major turning point in world history. • Stalin’s totalitarian state would become a model for Mussolini and Hitler. • The Communist Party controlled the Soviet Union until the country’s breakup in 1991.

4. Essential Questions • Why did the czars follow a cycle of reform and repression? • Why did revolution occur in Russia in March 1917? • Why did Lenin and the Bolsheviks launch the November Revolution?

5. Essential Questions • How did a Communist state develop under Lenin? • How did Stalin create a totalitarian state? • How did Communism change soviet society?

6. Unit Overview • Last Unit: WW I • Current Unit: Russian Revolution • Next Unit: WW II

7. Even Day Learning Activities • 5/8: Unrest in Russia • 5/10: Western vs. Eastern Europe • 5/10: Land of czars notes • 5/14: Rev. 1905 • 5/10: Rev. in Russia Qs • 5/14: Rev. March 1917 • 5/14: Evolution of Communist Thought • 5/16: Bolshevik Rev. • 5/16: Civil War Chart

8. Even Day • 5/16: Bolshevik Rev. • 5/16: Civil War Chart • 5/16: Lenin’s NEP ppt. • 5/16: From Lenin to Stalin Qs • 5/18: Trotsky vs. Stalin • 5/18: Changes from Lenin to Stalin • 5/18: Life in a Totalitarian State Qs

9. Even Day • 5/22: Totalitarianism ppt. • 5/22: Traits in the Soviet Union • 5/22: Benefits and Drawbacks • 5/22: Unit Review

10. ODD Day • 5/11: Unrest in Russia • 5/15: Western vs. Eastern Europe • 5/15: Land of Czars notes • 5/15: Rev. in Russia Qs • 5/15: Rev. 1905 notes • 5/17: Rev. March 1917 • 5/17: Evolution of Communist Thought • 5/21: Bolshevik Rev. • 5/21: Civil War Chart • 5/21: Lenin’s NEP • 5/21: Stalin and Totalitarian State Qs

11. Odd Day • 5/23: Changes from Lenin to Stalin • 5/23: Totalitarianism ppt. • 5/23: Traits in the Soviet Union • 5/23: Benefits and Drawbacks • 5/23: Unit Review

12. Applied • 5/10: Unrest in Russia • 5/14: Western vs. Eastern Europe • 5/14: Land of Czars notes • 5/16: Rev. 1905 • 5/16: Rev. in Russia part 1 • 5/18: March 1917 Rev. • 5/18: Evolution of Communist Thought • 5/18: Rev. in Russia part 2

13. Applied • 5/22: Bolshevik Rev. • 5/22: Civil War Chart • 5/22: Lenin’s NEP • 5/22: From Lenin to Stalin Qs

14. Terms – Unrest in Russia • Autocracy • Nicholas II • Russo-Japanese War • Socialist Republic • Marx • Lenin • Bloody Sunday • Rev. 1905 • Duma

15. Terms – Revolution in Russia • Bolsheviks • Rasputin • Trotsky • NEP • Reds • Whites • Bolshevik Revolution • Soviet Union • Five-Year Plan • Collectivization

16. Life in a Totalitarian State • Totalitarian State • Ideology • Propaganda • Pravda • Atheism • Socialist Realism • Gulags • Great Purge

17. 1. Why did the czars follow a cycle of reform and repression? • In reaction to the Decembrist Revolt, Nicholas I repressed political partiesand ended hope for a constitution and democratic reforms. • Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War pushed Alexander II to reform Russia by freeing the serfs and creating a legislative body to balance power. • Following the assassination of Alexander II, Alexander III repressed the revolutionaries and ended all reforms that posed a threat to his absolute power.

18. 2. Why did revolution occur in Russia in March 1917? • Following the 1905 Revolution, Nicholas II failed to make promised reforms. • WW I placed a strain on the home front, as defeats on the battlefield demonstrated their lack of industrialization. • Finally, Nicholas II was powerless as citizens, soldiers, and the government refused to obey his orders.

19. 3. Why did Lenin and the Bolsheviks launch the November Revolution? • Lenin and the Bolsheviks wanted to overthrow the provisional government. • Their goal was to establish a Communist society based on the ideas of Karl Marx. • They planned to end private property and create social equality. • Lenin promised to end Russia’s participation in WW I, which initially gained him widespread support.

20. 4. How did a Communist state develop under Lenin? • Lenin abolished private property, distributed land to peasants, and granted workers control of the factories. • During the Civil War, War Communism pushed the economy near collapse. • Lenin issued NEP, which allowed capitalist practices such as private ownership of property. • NEP led to economic recovery but was disliked by Communists for its compromise with Capitalism.

21. 5. How did Stalin create a totalitarian state? • Stalin and the Communist party controlled all parts of public and private life. • All economic activity was controlled by the Five Year Plan which pushed industrialization. • Stalin maintained complete control by using the secret police, propaganda, gulags, censorship, and terror.

22. 6. How did Communism change Soviet society? • Under Stalin, Soviet society was dominated by the Communist party. • Benefits included free housing, education, and healthcare for all. • Drawbacks included lack of freedom and rights, low standard of living, and constant fear of Stalin. • The promised equality and control of the country by the workers never existed in Stalin’s totalitarian state.