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The Russian Revolution

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The Russian Revolution The Russian Revolution Russia Before WWI • The Romanov Rule • The Romanov family ruled Russia from 1613-1917 • The Russian Empire stretched from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean under the Romanovs • However, they were slow to industrialize and modernize Russia. • Only cared for themselves and their power. • As industrialization happened, the middle class and urban working class emerged. • Nicholas II will take over in 1894 and will be the last Romanov ruler. Russia Before WWI • Revolution of 1905 • Failed uprising that attempted to change Russia from an autocracy to a constitutional monarchy. • Bloody Sunday – Hundreds of workers protesting the Tsar were killed • Tsar Nicholas II failed to fix Russia’s basic political, economic, and social problems. • Also blocked attempts to weaken his authority. • Set up “Dumas” or representative assemblies to work toward reform • These were basically powerless Russia During WWI • Unrest Deepens • The war effort strained Russian resources and factories could not keep up with the demand. • The transportation system broke down causing some front-line soldiers to have no weapons or ammunition • In 1915 alone, this caused the deaths of TWO MILLION Russian soldiers!! • Marxists (those who follow Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto) began developing radical plots. • Hoped to have peasants (non-nobles) and the proletariat (factory, railroad, and mine workers and urban workers) spark the revolution. Russia During WWI • Ending the Romanov Rule • Tsar Nicholas II goes to the front line to take command. • He was even more incapable than his generals. • Leaves his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, in control • She trusts a peasant “Holy Man” named Rasputin • Fearing for the government, Rasputin was killed by Russian nobles. • The Tsar Steps Down • Disasters on the war-front and home-front collapsed the Russian government. • Worker’s strikes and protests happened all over Russia • Eventually, in 1917, Tsar Nicholas abdicated (to give up power). • A New Control • The Dumas will set up a provisional government as they prepared a constitution • Revolutionary socialists outside of the government set up “soviets” or councils of workers and soldiers. • This group of radicals were called the Bolsheviks. The Bolshevik Revolution • Vladimir Lenin • Socialist Revolutionary • His brother was arrested for plotting to kill Tsar Nicholas II • This made Lenin hate the government • Read Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto as a student • Adapted it to fit Russian conditions. • Was exiled from Russia during most of World War I for spreading revolutionary ideas. • Will return in 1917 (with the help of Germany) to lead the revolution. The Bolshevik Revolution • Lenin’s Revolution • Wanted an elite group to set up a “dictatorship of the proletariat.” • Failure of the Provisional Government • Decided to continue the war effort against Germany instead of focusing on problems at home • Many troops began to leave and peasants took land from fearful landlords • The Bolshevik Takeover (November 1917) • Squads of Red Guards (armed factory workers) joined soldiers who had deserted in attacking the Provisional Government • Only took a week of fighting to overthrow the government • Moscow is established as the capital • Bolshevik Changes • Ended private ownership of land • Land was divided among peasants Russian Civil War • Peace with Germany • Lenin withdraws Russia from World War I • Quickly signs a treaty with Germany • Red Army vs White Army • The Red Army was made of the Bolsheviks (now called Communists) • The White Army was made of everyone who opposed Lenin and his Communist regime • Tsarist Imperial Officers, among other smaller groups • Also helped by Britain, France, and the United States • The War • Very brutal • White Army soldiers slaughtered Communists who had surrendered. • Red Army soldiers assassinated the former Tsar and his family Russian Civil War • War Under Communism • Lenin used fear and terror to control both the White Army and his own people. • The Cheka (a secret police) would execute ordinary citizens if they were even suspected of taking action against the revolution. • Lenin set up a system of Labor Camps, took over banks, mines, railroads, and factories. • Peasants were forced to send most of their crops to the Red Army • Leon Trotsky (another revolutionary) would kill every tenth soldier if a unit performed poorly. • The End of the War • The Red Army held the central position in Russia • Meant the White Army had to attack from all sides and could never attack together. • The White Army is defeated in 1921. The Soviet Regime • Reuniting Russia • Lenin patched up most of the old Russian Empire into a new country • The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or the Soviet Union • Soviet Constitution • In theory, the new constitution looked good • Set up an elected legislature (Supreme Soviet) • Gave all citizens over 18 the right to vote • All political power, resources, and means production belonged to the workers and peasants • In practice, things were different • Lenin used the Red Army and Cheka to enforce its will • Soviet Economy • Was a step away from Communism • Government kept control of banks, foreign trade, and large industries • Small businesses were allowed for private profit • Stopped seizing crops from peasants • Peasants were now allowed to sell surplus crops for profit A New Communist Leader • Lenin dies in 1924, just two years after establishing the USSR. • Soviet Power Struggle • Leon Trotsky • The revolutionary who helped Lenin oust the tsarist regime and install the Soviet powers. Was a brilliant thinker and speaker. • Wanted a world-wide revolution against capitalism • Joseph Stalin • A shrewd political operator and behind-the-scenes organizer. Was not the most educated or well-spoken. • Wanted to build socialism in Russia first. A New Communist Leader • Stalin ‘Takes’ Control • Stalin isolates Trotsky within the Communist party • Eventually Trotsky’s party membership is taken and he flees the country to Mexico where he will continue to criticize Stalin • That is until Stalin has him murdered by an undercover agent… • Lenin warned of Stalin before his death: • “Comrade Stalin has concentrated an enormous power in his hands; and I am not sure that he always knows how to use that power with sufficient caution.”.
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