TURNER World History & Geography RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (1917 – 1922) I. The Russian Revolution It Matters Because As the war dragged on, Russia stirred with unrest. The Romanov dynasty of Russia ended when Czar Nicholas II stepped down & a provisional government was put in power. Then the Bolsheviks under V.I. Lenin overthrew the government and by 1921 were in total command of Russia 1. What factors & events led to the A. Background to Revolution Russian Revolution? 1. Russia was not as militarily or technologically advanced as western Europe 2. 1917 was a year of famine & many Russians starved 3. 2M soldiers were killed between 1914 & 1916 & another 4-6M wounded or captured 4. In Mar 1917, Women marched in Petrograd demanding “Peace & Bread” 5. Czar Nicholas II stepped down from the throne on March 15th, 1917 6. Russian involvement in World War I, the czar’s poor leadership, rioting in Petrograd, the Provisional government’s decision to stay in the war & the rise of the soviets all led to the Russian Revolution TURNER World History & Geography 2. How did Russia move from a czarist B. Lenin and the Bolsheviks regime to a Communist regime? 1. Bolsheviks began as a small faction of a Marxist party called the Russian Social Democrats 2. Came under the leadership of V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin) 3. Became dedicated to violent revolution 4. Lenin spent time abroad from 1900-1917. 5. Lenin’s return in 1917 began a new phase of Russian Revolution 6. Bolsheviks reflected discontent of the people 7. Nov, 1917 they seized the Winter Palace & took control of the government 8. The Bolsheviks promised peace, land, bread, & protection from exploitation. They captured the Winter Palace, took control of the government, & renamed themselves Communists TURNER World History & Geography 3. What forces opposed the C. Civil War in Russia Communist government? 1. After the Bolsheviks (Communists) took control of the government, a civil war began 2. The two sides consisted of the Bolsheviks on one side & czarist loyalists, liberals, & anti-Leninist socialists. They were joined by an allied expedition as well (Reds vs. Whites) 3. In April 1918, the Czar & his family were executed 4. By 1920, most White forces were defeated 5. Some groups were loyal to the czar; others wanted a constitutional monarchy; & anti-Leninist socialists wanted a more democratically- led socialist state. TURNER World History & Geography 4. What factors helped the D. Triumph of the Communists Communists win the Russian civil war? 1. The Red Army was much more disciplined than the White Army 2. Leon Trotsky was key to organization & discipline 3. Political differences fractured the White Army 4. War communism was essential to keeping the Red Army supplied 5. Secret Police, the Checka, destroyed those opposed to the new regime 6. By 1921 the Communists were in total control 7. Opposing forces were not organized around a common purpose; war communism kept the Army supplied; the Cheka destroyed all opposition; the presence of the Allies in Russia gave the Communists a rallying point. .