718-721

1. 718-721 By: Mackenzie Buck

2. Revolutionary Rumblings • The Russia Empire stretched from Eastern Europe o the Pacific. • It was ruled by landowning nobles, priests, and an autocratic czar(Nicholas II). Much of the peasant population was very poor. • As Russia began to industrialize a small middles as working class were forming.

3. Unrest… • Although there were reforms made, this didn’t ease the nations crisis. The elected Duma had no real power. • Many moderates wanted a constitution and social change, but Nicholas II resisted attempts. • He had secret police and other enforcers to impose his will. • People wanted to overthrow the government and their spies. They were trying to ignite revolutions among the social classes.

4. World War I • In 1914, the war brought out national pride in Russia, and everyone united. • The Russian forces quickly ran out of resources. Factories weren’t making enough supplies, and transportation systems broke down. The Russian forces weren’t getting enough materials so many were dying • Russian casualties reached 2 million by 1915. • Nicholas II went to fight on lines himself. He was just as incompetent as his generals. Plus he left the czarina, Alexandra, to rule. Many people distrusted her because she was German born. She relied on Gregory Rasputin.

5. Death of the Mad Monk • Gregory Rasputin was believed t be a monk and a healer, he was not part of the Russian Orthodox Church though. • In 1916, Rasputin gained more control, he moved into the palace with many of his followers. He appointed and dismissed officials. Many won jobs they were unqualified for just by flattering him. • Alexandra ignored many signs of Rasputin's’ evil nature. She believed he was sent by God to save Russia. • Many nobles, the Duma, and the czar’s relatives saw the danger. They set out to destroy him.

6. A Hard Man to Kill-Rasputin’s Final Warning • Prince Yussoupov tried to poison Rasputin, he shot him as well but he ended up living. The men had shot him again and then threw him in the Neva, River and he drowned. Doctors discovered he died of drowning not of being shot. • Rasputin had a prophecy that if he was murdered the Romanov Empire would come to an end. In 1917, the Romanov Dynasty came to an end. Its downfall was due to war and long unsolved problems.

7. The March Revolution • In March 1917, the monarchy collapsed. This was due to food and fuel shortages, and disasters on the battlefield. • Workers were going on strike and the troops refused to fire into the crowd. The government was helpless. • The czar abdicated, from the advice of military leaders and politicians. • Duma politicians set up a temporary government and Middle class liberals began preparing a constitution for the New Russian republic. • Although all of this was happening, Russia was still at war with Germany. Many people did not like this. Troops were deserting the war and coming home. • Revolutionary socialists set up soviets(councils of workers and soldiers). The Bolsheviks, a radical socialist group, wanted change.

8. Lenin and Bolsheviks • Lenin was a strong believers of Marxist ideas, he led many demonstrations, and spread ideas to factory workers and other socialists. • Lenin changed up the beliefs of Marxism a bit. Marx predicted the industrial working class would rise, to overthrow the capitalism. • Lenin called for an elite group to overthrow capitalism. They were called Bolsheviks. • Lenin was telling people that revolution was the only thing that could bring changes. He shot down many peoples ideas that reforms could change anything.

9. An Exile Returns • Lenin was still in Exile during March 1917. Germany and Russia were still at war. Germany wanted to weaken the Russians so they helped Lenin return home. • On April 16, 1917 Lenin returned to Petrograd. He was welcomed with open arms by his fellow exiles and activists.