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From Czars to Lenin. Russia in the Early 20th Century 20th Century World History. Russia’s problems. Landlocked - no direct access to the sea in Europe Huge country Many different nationalities Different languages Religions Too big to govern
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From Czars to Lenin Russia in the Early 20th Century 20th Century World History
Russia’s problems • Landlocked - no direct access to the sea in Europe • Huge country • Many different nationalities • Different languages • Religions • Too big to govern Backward and behind in all areas technology/industrialization compared to Western Europe
Problems • Lost Crimean war • HUGE country but no railroads, few factories • Still very behind • New ideas from Western Europe bring unrest (Nihilists, Populists) • Nationalities want their own rule • Unrest - Nobles & People unhappy
Russia under the Romanovs - 300 years • Czars were Autocrats • They made all the decisions • Head of religion • Government rule goes from Czars • (Father) to oldest son • Alexander II - 19th century • Frees the serfs - Continue to be POOR • - industrial workers • Have to buy land, little money to do so • Lets local governments have elections & limited powers • Military shorter terms • Less secret police/censure of press
Repression • Alexander II is assassinated by political terrorists • Socialists who gained ideas from west • Anger turns to violence • His son, Alexander III and grandson, Nicholas II, clamp down on those who disagree with government • Bring in secret police, lessen freedom in press • Persecution of non-Russians & their religions, language, customs • Pogroms encouraged
Tensions in Russia Czars liberals, Nationalists Socialists Military, Workers Secret Police Ease censorship Exile liberals land reforms Russian orthodox Local Government Church only Duma Absolute power Help military & Persecute non- Industrial workers Russians Help poor
Industrialization • Czars Alexander III & Nicholas II • Built railroads • Brought natural resources, goods to trade over rails • Industrialization • Economic development
Problems from industrialization • Economic growth applauded by czars, government officials, industrialists • Disliked by nobles who were afraid of losing power • Unrest in poor workforce struggling to survive • Radicals bring new socialist ideas to workers in factories - discontent
Bloody Sunday • Russia losing war to Japan in 1904- 1905 • Political unrest • Strikes in factories • January 1905 Peaceful protest to petition Czar • Unarmed protesters killed • People lose faith in Czar
Revolution of 1905 • Many Strikes • Workers take over some local governments • Terrorism • Nationalists call for freedom • Aug. 1905 Nicholas II agrees to a parliamentary government –Duma • 1906: 1st Duma dissolved when it criticized the czar
October Manifesto 1905 • More strikes Oct 1905 • Oct 30 – October Manifesto Nicholas II - freedom of speech, assembly, union • Constitution • Four Dumas formed by moderates, little power over czar 1906-1916
Alexi’s problem • Czar’s son and heir has hemophilia, a life threatening blood disease • If injured he can bleed internally and possibly die.
Hemophilia • My Hemophilia Project • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQVP2KS2BHw
Rasputin • Rasputin was introduced to the Czarina and Czar as someone who could help Alexi • When he was ill, Rasputin was able to stop the bleeding – no one knows how • He becomes a friend and advisor to the Czarina • He is not the holy man he claims to be, he drinks, womanizes, and gains too much power
World War I • Problems in leadership in the army • 19th century army vs. 20th century German army • Not enough guns or supplies • Losses huge • Czar Nicholas takes over command at the front leaving his wife in charge of the government
Alexandra • The people hate Alexandra • She is German • Her chief advisor is Rasputin • Her husband follows her wishes & appoints an incompetent head of the military
Rasputin’s influence • Rasputin takes money or bribes to get people in government positions • He gets people fired who dislike him • As long as Alexi lives, he has power • Finally, some nobles assassinate him • It is too late
Problems that lead to the revolution in February 1917 • People are hungry – not enough food during World War I for anyone • Lack of effective leadership and corruption in the government • People are sick of losing the war • Great loss of life in War and feeling that no one in charge is competent
Revolutionaries take over Petrograd • Riots due to lack of food • Army joins the people • The Winter Palace is taken over • Nicholas II is forced to abdicate • Kerensky forms a moderate government
Problems with new government • The Provisional government stays in the war • Lenin is smuggled into Russia by Germans • The people are tired of War • The government told the Allies it would stay in the war to get their support – Big Mistake • The war efforts continue to be a disaster
October Revolution 1917 • Bolsheviks – radical socialists continually organize the workers in councils or “Soviets” • Offer the people PEACE during a bad war and land reforms
“Peace, bread & Land” • November 1917- October in Russian calendar • Bolsheviks take over government • 1918 dissolve constitutional assembly
Civil War 1918-1922 • Bolsheviks only receive ¼ of the votes • Dissolve the government • Make a dictatorship with secret police • Armed fighting • White, Green, and Black factions versus the Reds • 1922 Reds finally win and call Russia the United Soviet Socialists Republics or the U.S.S.R
Czar Nicholas and family • During the Civil War, Czar Nicholas, his wife, and five children were murdered • The Soviets always claimed that only the Czar was killed • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoVSNWGUoHw • Ninety years later, all the bodies of the Czar, his wife, and three daughters were found. • Two years later the ashes and some bones of the remaining daughter and their son were found. • All were verified to be in the family from DNA testing • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b2catDZsq8