Revolution in Russia: War, Social Unrest, and World History

1. Revolution in Russia Main Idea The war and social unrest combined to push Russia to the edge of a revolution. The events that followed led to Russia’s exit from WWI and became a major turning point in world history.

5. Size of Russia vs. USA RussiaUSA 17,075,400 km2 9,826,630 km2 Russia is 1.74 times larger than the US

6. Huge Empire • Russia one of great powers of Europe, first half 1800s • Troops helped defeat Napoleon • Leaders helped reorganize Europe after his fall • Empire huge, stretched eastward far into Asia • Included many different ethnic groups • Russian Czar’s ruled with absolute power • Russian mostly agricultural (no industrialization)mostly serfs Government and Society

7. The Decembrist Revolt Nicholas’s Response • Secret societies formed to fight against czar’s rule • Saw opportunity for change with death of Alexander I, 1825 • One group called Decembrists • Included military officers • 3,000 soldiers assembled near Winter Palace • Refused to declare allegiance to new czar, Nicholas I • Nicholas responded by crushing rebellion • Many Decembrists captured, sent to Siberia, isolated region in far eastern Russia • Five Decembrists executed • Decembrist revolt failed, but began revolutionary movement in Russia destined to grow in years ahead Reform and Repression Russians wanted more freedoms.

8. Reforms of Alexander II • Russia Lagging Behind • Alexander II becomes czar 1855 • No modern technology, industry to build competitive military • Reforms under Alexander II • 1861, freed Russia’s serfs, believed terrible conditions could bring rebellion • Set up new judicial system • Allowed some local self-government • Reorganized army, navy • Despite reforms • Revolutionary groups continued to gain strength, call for more changes • 1881, Czar Alexander II is assassinated

9. Different Form of Unrest • Pogroms- Mobs began attacking Jews, killing them, destroying property • Reasons were jealous of Jewish business success, gaining rights, increase in population • Government did not stop attacks • Nearly 2 million Jews fled Russia for America and UK • In 1894, Alexander III dies, his son Nicholas II crowned Unrest Under Alexander III • Alexander III was a reactionary, • Responded to revolutionary threats by going after individuals and groups

10. War and Revolution • Growing Unrest • Many Russians wanted to create socialist republic—no private property, state to own, distribute goods • 1902, Vladimir Lenin called for revolution to overthrow czar • Expansion East • Russia expands east and conflicts with—Japan • 1904 Russo-Japanese War-- Japanese forces attacked, defeated Russia • Defeat shocked many Russians, adds to unrest, rise of Communism

11. Socialism, Communism, Capitalism • Socialism- • Society is combination of individual and government • Society owns property • Society controls business Capitalism • Private ownership of business • Supply and demand Karl Marx- Communism • More radical socialism • Predicted collapse of capitalism unfair balance of labor and profit • Das KapitalCommunism • Government • owns means of production • controls economic planning

12. The Revolution of 1905 • 1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar Bloody Sunday • January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands • Troops fired at peaceful group; hundreds died • Revolution Begins • Bloody Sunday inspired many sectors of society to rise up • Workers went on strike, students protested in streets • 2 million workers protested in streets

13. Provisions Duma End Revolution • Constitution • Election of Rep’s • Individual liberties to all, including freedom of speech, assembly • Many gained right to vote • Czar continue to rule, but not pass laws without approval of Duma • Nicholas II hoped Manifesto would end revolution • Did not achieve balance between own power, democracy • People still wanted reform The October Manifesto In response to the rebellions and strikes, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, an official promise for reform and a more democratic government.

15. 1. Bolshevik Plan The Years Before the War 1. Adaptation of Marxist (Communism) ideas to overthrow capitalism 2. Wanted small group to keep power over Russia 3. Bolsheviks gained more followers with added problems • After 1905 revolution, Nicholas II offered change but never followed through • Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, wanted to overthrow czar • German gov’t agrees to help Lenin with Revolution if he gets Russia out of WWI Russia and World War I

16. Preparations for War On the Battlefield • Outbreak of fighting caused patriotism, rush to join military • 2. Russia was ill-prepared for war • Factories unable to produce supplies quickly • Transportation system weak • Equipment outdated • Poor commanders • Some initial successes on battlefield • Losses soon outnumbered victories • Millions of Russian soldiers wounded, killed during early battles Russia in World War I At the start of the war, Russia had an enormous army of some 6 million soldiers.

17. Conditions Grow Worse • 3. Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915 • Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters • Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command • Russian suffered heavy losses • Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive • Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership • Army had little strength, even less confidence • Conditions in Russia grew worse • Food, goods scarce • peasants grew desperate • Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigory Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral

18. 4. Revolution Begins Czar Nicholas II • March 8, 1917- citizens begin protests • Police, soldiers refused to shoot rioters • Government was helpless • Ordered legislature to disband • His order defied • Citizens, government, military refused to obey Czar • Forced to abdicate, March 15, 1917 • The Bolsheviks executed the Czar, the Czarina, their four daughters, the maid, the doctor, the cook and the waiters in The Russian Revolution

20. 4. The Russian Revolution • Kerensky Government • Aleksandr Kerensky established temporary government • Many unhappy with leadership • Bolsheviks • Opposed Kerensky’s gov’t • Wanted fundamental changes • Planned Marxist revolution • Bolshevism • Abolish private property • Enforce social equality • Known as Marxism-Leninism • Vladimir Lenin • Bolshevik exiled • Returned in April 1917 with the help of Germany • Germany wanted Lenin to get Russia out of WWI

21. Bolshevik takeover Lenin became leader • Conditions ideal for Lenin rebellion • Red Army- Armed Bolshevik factory workers • October Revolution - attacked of provisional government • Gov’t collapsed after nearly bloodless struggle • Established radical Communist • No private ownership of land • Land given to peasants • Control of factories given to workers The Bolshevik Revolution • Kerensky’s final offensive • Drive failed and led to widespread rebellion in Russian army • Weakened Russian army collapsed

22. 7. 1918 Lenin ends Russian involvement in WWI Leon Trotsky negotiated peace with Central Powers Russia’s army virtually powerless Russia had to accept harsh agreement Lost large part of western empire- Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania After the Revolution

24. Civil War • Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty angered many Russians • Bolsheviks’ opponents organized the White Army • White Army included army leaders, political opponents, wealthy Russians opposed to Communist system • White Army received military help from France, U.S. • Civil War raged 3 years between Lenin’s Red Army and White Army • Millions of Russians died in fighting, famines • Bolsheviks finally win in 1920

25. 8. New Economic Policy • Collapsing economy • Brought on by civil war, pushed Russia to edge of total ruin • Peasants, workers especially hard hit • Lenin introduced New Economic Policy, 1921 New Economic Policy 1. Some capitalist activity * NO business ownership 2. Peasants could sell food at profit • 9. The Soviet Union (USSR) • Russia becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dominated by Communist leadership (lasts until 1991) • Lenin’s death in 1924 led to struggle for control of Soviet Union

26. 1 Million people visited the body of Lenin in 3 days. • His mausoleum is located in Moscow at the Red Square. • Lenin’s body has been embalmed and on exhibit for viewing since 1924.

27. Joseph Stalin was also on display from 1953-61. • Temp is kept at 61* F w/80-90% humidity. • Body is removed and washed every 18 months.