Two Revolutions in RussiaBy: Madison Bachman

Revolution Rumbling

In March 1917, the first two Russian Revolutions toppled the Romanov dynasty.

Moderates pushed for a constitution and social change but czar Nicholas 2 blocked all attempts to limit his authority. Had the secret police and other authorities enforce his will

Revolution was beginning to ignite among the class system

World War 1 Entering

When WW1 began in 1914, Russian armies quickly ran out of supplies, causing 2 million casualties by 1915.

Nicholas 2 went to take charge on the front lines, leaving czarina Alexandra in charge. People didn’t trust her for she was German born

The “Mad Monk”

In 1916, Rasputin, who was considered a ”miraculous healer” moved into the palace with many of his followers by the invite of Alexandra. Appointed top positions and dismissed officials

The czarina insisted he had been “sent by God to save Russia and the Romanov Dynasty.

A group of five men planned to “end” Rasputin

A Hard Man to Kill

First, Rasputin was fed poisoned cakes and wine with no effect whatsoever.

Second Rasputin was shot with a revolver but leaped up, grabbed the Prince, and fled.

Rasputin was finally clubbed into stillness and thrown into the ivy Neva River and was found to have died by drowning.

The March Revolution

Workers went on strike, troops refused to fire on the demonstrators, leaving the government helpless causing the czar to abdicate.

Duma politicians set up a provisional government and middle class liberals prepared a Russian republic constitution.

Petrograd and other cities set up soviets, or councils of workers and soldiers

Bolsheviks , a radical socialist group, ended up taking charge

Lenin and the Bolsheviks

Germany helped Lenin, the Bolshevik leader return home from exile to weaken their enemy.

On April 16, 1917 Lenin arrived in Petrograd and addressed his crowd.