The Russian Revolution

• Russia will experience two dramatic events that will alter the course of WWI and the world.

• February Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Romanov dynasty and created a democracy under the Provisional Gov’t

• October Revolution of 1917 collapsed the Provisional Gov’t and brought Lenin and communism to power

Russo-Japanese War and Revolution of 1905

• Feb. 1904 war between Russia and Japan over Korea and Manchuria

• Due to its losses, Russian protests prompted a nationwide revolution

• Tsar Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto which created a constitution, the Duma (legislative branch), and granted civil rights.– Defused the situation

Era of Reaction and Reforms (1906-1912)

• Once the threat of revolt subdued, Nicholas II issued the Fundamental Lawslimited the power of the Duma

• The Duma continued to meet and new groups of workers and soldiers’ soviets (councils) created an atmosphere of change

• An industrial boom influenced Russia’s economic potential for the better

Russia at War: The Home Front (1914-1917)

• The Military: largest army but under-equipped; Germans and Austrians had success early against Russians

• Civilian Economy: Russia was unable to produce enough goods to supply its military and civilian population; huge debt accumulated from buying from their Allies

• Gov’t: Nicholas II went to lead the troops; his wife and Rasputin were criticized for their decisions; Duma wanted more power

February Revolution

• The incompetent government of Nicholas II led to internal disorder in Russia.

• Peasant discontent plagued the countryside.

• In the absence of Nicholas II, incompetent government officials attempted to keep order as the members of Russia’s parliament remained unsatisfied.

• Russian people have no food and suppliesrioting begins and Tsar Nicholas II steps down

• After the abdication of the tsar, the provisional government continued to support the war effort.

• During WWI, supplies very slow to front. Millions of soldiers die b/c of no food/weapons

Petrograd munitions workers demonstrating in 1917.Ria-Novosti/Sovfoto/Eastfoto

The Provisional Gov’t (March 1917 to October 1917)

• Several leaders from different workers and political parties emerged to lead

• Implemented full political and religious freedom, election of local officials, an 8 hour work day, and legal improvements

• The Petrograd Soviet (workers) became a powerful group made up of 3,000 workers

Lenin Returns to Russia• With the help of Germany,

Lenin returns to Russia to lead the Bolsheviks

• Lenin wanted the soviets (worker’s councils) to control the gov’t

• Wanted land, factories, and banks to be nationalized

• Create the Communist Party

V.I. Lenin, “The Call to Power”

• Read the document.

• Answer the questions on the notes handout

Problems continue

• Russia expanded their efforts in Eastern Europe against Germany, BUT continued to experience failure and death

• Division amongst the Duma on staying in WWI

• Bolsheviks were in favor of ending Russian involvement and opposed the Provisional Gov’t

The Bolshevik October Revolution

• Lenin and Leon Trotsky knew the time was right to seize power

• Lenin began to meet with member’s of workers’ soviets and created the Politburo to oversee the revolution

• Trotsky convinced troops in Petrograd to support the Bolsheviks

• Nov. 6-7 the Bolsheviks seized control of the city’s transportation and communication centers

N.N. Sukhanov, “Changing the Guard”

• Read the document.

• Answer the questions

• Lenin and Trotsky lead strikes and riotsoverthrow Provisional Gov’t

• Civil war breaks out; anti-Bolsheviks (White Russians) aided by Allied Powers

• Bolsheviks winestablish The Soviet Union led by Vladmir Lenin (dictator)

• Bolsheviks sign Treaty of Brest-Litovsk w/ GermanyRussia pulls out of WWI

The Communist Dictatorship• The government nationalized the land and

turned it over to peasants. • Russia was taken out of the war.• The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk yielded Poland,

Finland, the Baltic states, and Ukraine to Germany.

• After a three year battle between the Red Army, controlled by Lenin, and the White Russians, who opposed the revolution, Lenin’s Bolshevik forces were in firm control.

What would you consider to be an impact of the Russian

Revolution?

How did the entrance of Russia into WWI eventually lead to

social upheaval?

• Russia=Tsardom=Autocracy• Largest country in world; lacked infrastructure