The Russian RevolutionThe Russian Revolution

What was Russia like Pre-What was Russia like Pre-WWI?WWI?

Monarchy controlled by a Czar (King)Monarchy controlled by a Czar (King) Czar practices strict control over Czar practices strict control over

peoplepeople– Forbids use of other languagesForbids use of other languages– PogromsPogroms against Jews – loot and against Jews – loot and

destroy Jewish houses, stores, and destroy Jewish houses, stores, and synagogues synagogues

Was Russia Industrialized?Was Russia Industrialized?

Lagged behind Western EuropeLagged behind Western Europe Try rapid industrialization in 1890sTry rapid industrialization in 1890s Leads to:Leads to:

– Low wages, child labor, unsafe working Low wages, child labor, unsafe working conditionsconditions

– Great divide between haves and have Great divide between haves and have notsnots

– Revolutionary movements grow . . . Revolutionary movements grow . . . including Lenin’s Bolshevik Partyincluding Lenin’s Bolshevik Party

How did Russia do in WWI?How did Russia do in WWI?

Unprepared to handle military costs, Unprepared to handle military costs, no match for Germany armyno match for Germany army

4 million dead, wounded, or prisoners 4 million dead, wounded, or prisoners in 1in 1stst year of the war year of the war

Tsar Nicholas leaves wife, Alexandra, Tsar Nicholas leaves wife, Alexandra, in charge of gov’t while he is at the in charge of gov’t while he is at the frontfront

Who was Rasputin?Who was Rasputin?

Holy man from SiberiaHoly man from Siberia Brought to help with Alexis’ Brought to help with Alexis’

hemophiliahemophilia Alexandra allows Rasputin to make Alexandra allows Rasputin to make

political decisionspolitical decisions Jealous members of Russian Nobility Jealous members of Russian Nobility

murder Rasputinmurder Rasputin

What Happens to the Royal What Happens to the Royal Family and the Gov’t?Family and the Gov’t?

Protests force Nicholas II to step Protests force Nicholas II to step downdown

His entire family is executed within a His entire family is executed within a year by revolutionariesyear by revolutionaries

Lenin’s Bolshevik Party quickly takes Lenin’s Bolshevik Party quickly takes over the governmentover the government

What Changes did Lenin What Changes did Lenin Make?Make?

Promises “Peace, Land, and Bread”Promises “Peace, Land, and Bread” Pulls Russia out of WWI Pulls Russia out of WWI Begins Communism in RussiaBegins Communism in Russia

– Distributes farmland among the Distributes farmland among the peasantspeasants

– Gives the factories to the workersGives the factories to the workers

What was the Russian Civil War What was the Russian Civil War (1918-1920)?(1918-1920)?

Many are unhappy with Bolshevik Many are unhappy with Bolshevik leadership and WWI peace treatyleadership and WWI peace treaty

Red Army (Bolsheviks) vs. White Army Red Army (Bolsheviks) vs. White Army (made up of several different groups)(made up of several different groups)

14 million die from war, famine, and flu14 million die from war, famine, and flu Bolsheviks win and rename Bolsheviks win and rename

themselves the Communist Party, themselves the Communist Party, Russia renamed USSR (Soviet Union)Russia renamed USSR (Soviet Union)

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?