Revolutions in Russia

1. Revolutions in Russia

2. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Czarist Rule • In the late 1800s, Alexander III and his son Nicholas II sought to industrialize Russia and build its economic strength • They wanted to westernize and industrialized but limit the spread of the ideals of the French Revolution

3. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Russians wanted to introduce a new Constitution and reforms that would limit government corruption • To combat these reforms, the rulers employed harsh tactics such as secret police

4. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Peasant Unrest • Rigid system of social classes still existed in Russia at the beginning of WWI • Land-owning nobles, priests, and an autocratic czar dominated Russia • Most peasants were too poor to buy the land they worked • Industrialization happened slowly, and peasants feared the new changes

5. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Russia still experienced Serfdom

6. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Problems of Urban Workers • Some peasants had moved to cities and found jobs in new industries • They experienced all of the negative drawbacks of industrialization • Low pay • Long hours • Poor working and living conditions • It was among these workers that socialists spread ideas about revolutions and reforms

7. Long-Term Causes of Revolution • Diversity and Nationalism • Russia is big… Really, Really big • Because of its size, it included MANY ethnic minorities • Czars maintained policy of Russification… • What is Russification? • Regardless of this policy, ethnic populations wanted to maintain their culture and nationalism remained

8. 1st Revolution in 1905 • Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War triggered peaceful protests and petitions for reforms • These marches were shot down by czarist troops in what came to be known as “Bloody Sunday” • “Bloody Sunday” destroyed the people’s faith and trust in the czar and triggered strikes and revolts all over the country

9. Bloody Sunday - 1905

10. WWI and Czarist Rule • Russia’s army was vastly inferior technologically to all others in WWI • Massive losses crippled morale and triggered revolt in March of 1917 • Czar Nicholas II abdicated the throne the same month

11. The Bolshevik Revolution • The provisional government that replaced the czar implemented only modest reforms and stayed in WWI • Revolutionary socialists first worked within the government and set up soviets, but soon lost patience and the radical Socialist Party soon took hold

12. The Bolshevik Revolution • Vladimir Lenin • Lenin and Leon Trotsky headed a revolutionary Socialist Party , the Bolsheviks • Lenin and Trotsky adapted Marxism to fit the situation in Russia • “Peace, Land, Bread,” end involvement in WWI, land reform, end to food shortages

13. The Bolshevik Revolution Lenin Trotsky

14. The Bolshevik Revolution • The provisional government lost the support of the people • In November of 1917, the Bolsheviks brought soldiers, sailors, and factory workers in a successful uprising • Communists gave land to peasants and factory workers factories and mines

15. Lenin’s Russia • Withdrawal from WWI • In March 1918, Lenin signs treaty that gave significant land to Germany but ended Russian involvement in the war

16. Lenin’s Russia • Russia’s Civil War • From 1918 to 1921 Lenin’s Red Army battled against the czar’s forces, the White Army • Independence movements were successful: Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and LATVIA!!!! • Foreign powers helped the Whites, including the US, but the Red Army defeated its enemies by 1921

17. Lenin’s Russia • One-Party Government • Although the government included a constitution and legislature, the real power was in the hands of the only legal party, the Communist Party • They maintained power through military and secret police

18. Lenin’s Russia • New Economic Policy • During the revolution, the government controlled everything! • The New Economic Policy, or NEP, allowed for some private ownership of businesses • Government controlled banks, large industry, and foreign trade

19. Lenin’s Russia • The Soviet Union • By 1922, Lenin and the Communists controlled all of the old Russian Empire • Created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

20. Stalin and Communist Dictatorship • Vladimir Lenin dies in 1924 and Joseph Stalin emerges as the new Soviet leader • Stalin ruled through terror and brutality • i.e. Great Purge

21. First Leaders of the Soviet Union Lenin (Soviet Leader 1917 – 1924) Stalin (Soviet Leader 1924 – 1953) • Chief Goal: to make the Soviet Union into a modern industrial power with all protection under government control • Created a command economy • Brought all agriculture under government control; forced peasants to live on group farms • Standard of living fell for most workers and peasants • Chief Goal: to create a classless society with production in the hands of the people • Allowed some private business; let some peasants hold land • Standard of living rose for many workers and peasants • Spent time in Siberian exile before 1917 revolution • Became Communist Party leader • Used secret police to enforce Communist people • Wanted to bring about a worldwide Communist revolution