The Communist Manifesto• The Communist Manifesto argues that all of history is characterized by a

“history of class struggles.” Do you agree with this? Can you think of any examples from history that prove this point?

• Describe the beliefs of Marxism.• What did Marx encourage the underprivileged to do?• Define bourgeoisie & proletariat. • According to Marx & Engels, what is the problem with capitalism? • Using Marx’s beliefs, explain the predicted transition from capitalism to

communism. • Marx advocated for all proletariats to take action and predicted a global

revolution would follow. How would this happen? Think about specific countries (like Germany or Russia) during WWI…..were they really on the eve of a proletariat revolution?

DISCUSSION ACTIVITY• Now that you understand the aspects of Marxism, you will participate in a

discussion activity to evaluate its purpose and effectiveness.• This is an appointment discussion activity. You will discuss four questions

with four different people.• The purpose of this is to DISCUSS!!! • Follow my directions! Do NOT move ahead!1. Is communism the solution to problems brought on by capitalism?2. Do you think private property really creates problems in society? If so, how?3. If the goal of communism is to create a class-less society, why do they

advocate power to the proletariat class? Wouldn’t supporting this group, be supporting a class, and therefore contradict the idea of communism?

4. Communism, in theory, seems like it could potentially fix a lot of problems for the lower classes. If so, why does communism always seem to fail? What makes it ineffective?

BELLWORK 5/41. Describe Marxism. Include the transition from capitalism –

communism2. How did Marx view the bourgeoisie & proletariat?3. THINKER 1: Is communism the solution to problems brought on by

capitalism? Why or why not?4. THINKER 2: Do you think private property really creates problems in

society? If so, how?5. THINKER 3: If the goal of communism is to create a class-less

society, why do Marxists advocate power to the proletariat class? Wouldn’t supporting this group, be supporting a class, and therefore contradict the idea of communism?

6. THINKER 4: Communism, in theory, seems like it could potentially fix a lot of problems for the lower classes. If so, why does communism always seem to fail? What makes it ineffective?

The Russian Empire• Ruled by Romanov dynasty:

1721 – 1917 (Russian Revolution)

• One of the largest empires in history (landmass only surpassed by Mongols)

• Empire stretched from Arctic Ocean in the north, Black Sea in the south, Baltic Sea in the west & Pacific Ocean in the east.

• Empire was home to over 125 million people

Russian Empire

Spheres of Influence

The Russian Empire• The Russian Empire was made up of more than 60 nationalities and 100 different languages! • The Empire was an autocracy, lead by a Tsar. • Corrupt and inefficient leaders

ruled the Empire until protestsbroke out during WWI, eventuallycausing the fall of the Empire, establishment of Communism, &Russia’s withdrawal from WWI.

• Absolute Monarchy until 1905• Constitutional Monarchy until 1917

(even though the monarch still hadConsiderable power)

• Empire is dissolved after Russian Revolution of 1917

Russian Empire• Two inefficient Romanov leaders

created more problems for the empire:• Czar Alexander III: wanted to unify the

empire by a policy of Russification. • Czar Nicholas II: leader during WWI

– eventually overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution

– Ends the Romanov dynasty• Their harsh & oppressive policies

created a huge wave of rebellions from peasants, radicals, communists, farmers, anarchists and reformers.

All in the family• First cousins, Czar Nicholas

II of Russia (left), wearing an English uniform, and King George V of England, in Russian garb; visiting in London (1915)

Nicholas II (right) with Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in 1905, wearing each other’s uniforms.

The two had a friendly relationship between 1904-1907

& their relationship was often referred to as “Willy and Nicky”

Problems of Nicholas II• To learn more about the Russian

Empire and problems during WWI, you are going to read the first chapter from “A History of Modern Russia.”

• As you read, take notes/highlight• I have provided important

people/events/terms to define – it is up to you how you do this!

• Be prepared to answer the review questions on Wednesday.

• We will be working from this packet for the next week.

Chapter 1: Rule of Tsar Nicholas II

1894-1914

(pgs. 12-23)

Chapter 1 Review• Why was Nicholas II an ineffective leader?• Explain the economic, political, and religious problems that caused

opposition parties to form.• Revolution of 1905, Bloody Sunday, October Manifesto• Why does Nicholas II promise elections, but then dissolve the Duma?

How did citizens respond?• What caused the break-up of the Russian Socialist Democratic Labor

Party? What were the two new factions and how were they similar/different?

• How were Marxists (Bolsheviks & Mensheviks) fundamentally different that the Socialist Revolutionaries?

• How would the situation have been different if Nicholas II worked with the State Duma?

• It is argued that “the empire suffered as much from traditionalism as from modernity” (22). Why & how did this happen?

BELLWORK: Block 11. Why was Nicholas II an ineffective leader?2. Explain the economic, political, and religious problems

that caused opposition parties to form.3. Why does Nicholas II promise elections, but then

dissolve the Duma? How did citizens respond?4. What caused the break-up of the Russian Socialist

Democratic Labor Party? What were the two new factions and how were they similar/different?

5. THINKER: In your opinion, could the situation have been different if Nicholas II was willing to work with the Duma? Or were economic/political instabilities too problematic to fix? Explain!

WWI Review: The Eastern Front• Russia, Austria-Hungary, Turkey• After Russia mobilized quickly,

Germany had to divert troops East• Limited success• Pattern Russians could defeat

Austrians, but not the Germans, and Germans had to keep coming to aide of Austrians

• Russia’s position worsened once Turkey joined (cut main supply route through the Dardanelles)

• Russia received little help from allies who were occupied on the Western Front.

Russia & WWI

Russian POW’s after being captured by Germany

• Against counsel and advisor’s suggestions, Nicholas II mobilized for war in July 1914

• Germany asked Russia to reconsider three times

• Mobilized 3.1M men, but in every other aspect, Russia was unprepared for war:

• Lack of advanced transportation system

• Long distance to front (800 miles)

• Russian industry was too small to equip the massive army

• Reserves of ammunition were small

• Short on guns, motorized transports, boots

• War of attrition in East = huge death toll

• 1915: Nicholas II took over as commander of troops; disconnected

• War effort caused Nicholas to ignore domestic problems = massive revolts & strikes

Chapter 2: The Fall of the Romanovs

1914-1917

(pgs. 24-41)

February Revolution• The February Revolution (1917) was the first of two revolutions in Russia in 1917. • The revolution, confined to the capital (Petrograd – now St. Petersburg), involved mass

demonstrations and armed clashes with police, the last loyal forces of the Russian monarchy.

• This revolution appeared to break out spontaneously, without any real leadership or formal planning. Russia had been suffering from a number of economic and social problems, which were compounded by the impact of World War I. Bread rioters and industrial strikers were joined on the streets by disaffected soldiers from the city's garrison. As more and more troops deserted, and with loyal troops away at the Front, the city fell into a state of chaos

• The immediate result of the revolution was the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the end of the Romanov dynasty, and the end of the Russian Empire.

• The Tsar was replaced by a Russian Provisional Government under Prince Georgy Lvov. The Provisional Government was an alliance between liberals and socialists who wanted political reform. They set up a democratically-elected executive and constituent assembly. At the same time, socialists also formed the Petrograd Soviet, which ruled alongside the Provisional Government, an arrangement termed Dual Power.

• The February Revolution was followed in the same year by the October Revolution, bringing Bolshevik rule and a change in Russia's social structure, and paving the way for the USSR.