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Ch16 Sec. 3 The Russian Revolution. Russia is doing poorly in WWI Russian Industry not able to meet War demands. (not enough guns or supplies) Rampant food shortages Russia suffers 2 million men between 1914 and 1916 and another 4 to 6 million wounded or captured.
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Russia is doing poorly in WWI • Russian Industry not able to meet War demands. (not enough guns or supplies) • Rampant food shortages • Russia suffers 2 million men between 1914 and 1916 and another 4 to 6 million wounded or captured. • By 1917 the Russian will to fight was gone
Czar Nicholas II was an autocratic ruler who relied on the Army to hold up his regime. • Never trained in the military, but insisted on taking over the Armed forces. • His wife (Alexandra) fell under the spell of a “Self proclaimed holyman” named Rasputin • Son Alexi suffered from Hemophilia • Czar away much of the time at the front, wife left to run Gov’t
People upset over lack of food, poor conditions and the war • Revolts break out all over Russia • Rasputin Killed • Czar and His family confined to their house and later executed. • A provisional Gov’t headed by Alexander Kerensky takes over (mistake was to keep on with the war)
The New gov’t was faced with new challenge to its authority from Soviets (Local councils) • Soviets- made up of soldiers, teachers, factory workers, labor workers, common folks • One group of Soviets called the Bolsheviks (made up of Marxist) • Led by Vladimir Lenin • Germans sent Lenin to Russia in a sealed train car to disrupt Russia further
Lenin wins support with the Theme of “Peace, Land, and Bread”. • Many soldiers defect to the Bolsheviks against the White army • Reds v.s Whites • Allies sent forces to help the white army, mostly from Japan, Britain, America, and France. • Russian Communist never forgave this
Triumph of the Communist • Red Army grows under a man named Leon Trotsky. • Lenin organizes the Gov’t • Very harsh to non- Communist • Sets up terror police called the Cheka • Reds defeat the Whites • Russia becomes the first ever Communist county, now called U.S.S R