Revolutions in Russia

Introduction

The Russian Revolution was like a firecracker with a very long fuse. The explosion came in 1917, yet the fuse had been burning for nearly a century. The cruel, oppressive rule of most 19thcentury czars caused widespread social unrest for decades. Army officers revolted in 1825. Secret revolutionary groups plotted to overthrow the government.

In 1881, revolutionaries angry over the slow pace of political change assassinated the reform-minded czar, Alexander II. Russia was heading toward a full-scale revolution.

Czars Resist Change

End to Reform
In 1881, Alexander III becomes czar and ends the reforms of his father, Alexander II. Alexander III institutes autocratic rule, suppressing all opposition and decent.

Czars Continue Autocratic Rule

Government censors written criticism; secret police monitor schools Non-Russians living in Russia are treated harshly

Anti-Jewish Pogroms
Jews become target of government backed pogroms (organized persecutions) Alexander III encourages Jewish emigration to the United States during this time. The musical Fiddler on the Roof is set in this era.

In 1894, Nicholas II becomes czar and continues autocratic ways

Russia Industrializes

Rapid Industrialization
Number of factories doubles between 1863 and 1900, but Russia still lags behind other European countries. In late 1800s, new plan boosts steel production and a major railway begins

The Revolutionary Movement Grows

Industrialization breeds discontent over working conditions and wages. Growing popularity of Marxist idea that proletariat (workers) will rule BolsheviksMarxists who favor revolution by a small committed group

Lenin

LeninBolshevik leaderan excellent organizer and inspiring leader

Crisis at Home and Abroad

The Russo-Japanese War

Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War in the early 1900s causes unrest in Russia.

Bloody Sunday: The Revolution of 1905

In 1905, 200,000 workers march on the czars palace to demand reforms The army fires into the crowd, killing many Massacre leads to widespread unrest; Nicholas if forced to make reforms

The short lived Duma

The Duma, Russias first parliament, meets in 1906 Czar is unwilling to share power, dissolves the Duma after only 10 weeks

World War I: The Final Blow

Heavy losses in World War I reveal governments weakness Nicholas goes to war front; Czarina Alexandra runs government in his absence

Czarina falls under the influence of Rasputina mysterious holy man who she believes has the power to heal her son. Nobles fear Rasputins influence and murder him Army losing effectiveness; people at home are hungry and unhappy

The March Revolution

First Steps

In March 1917, strikes expand; soldiers refuse to fire on workers. Most of the tension is caused by Nicholas II personally taking command of the military in World War I, and the war going so badly.

The Czar Steps Down

March Revolutionprotests become uprising; Nicholas abdicates throne Duma establishes provisional, or temporary government Sovietscommittees of Socialist revolutionariescontrol many cities

Lenin Returns to Russia

In April 1917, Germans aid Lenin in returning from exile to Russia (pictured in disguise with his goatee shaved and wearing a wig).

The Bolshevik Revolution

The Provisional Government Topples

In November 1917, workers take control of the government

Bolsheviks in Power
Lenin gives land to peasants, puts workers in control of factories Bolsheviks sign treaty with Germany; Russia pulls out of World War I

Civil War Rages in Russia

Civil War between Bolsheviks Red Army and loosely allied White Army Red Army wins three-year war that leaves 14 million dead

Comparing World Revolutions

Russian and French Revolutions are similarboth attempt to remake society and use violence against citizens who resist these changes.

Lenin Restores Order

New Economic Policy

In March 1921, Lenin launches New Economic Policy; has some capitalism NEP and peace restore economy shattered by war and revolution By 1928, Russias farms and factories are producing again

Political Reforms
Lenin creates self-governing republics under national government In 1922, country renamed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) Communist Partynew name taken by Bolsheviks from the writings of Marx

Stalin Becomes Dictator

A New Leader
Trotsky and Stalin compete to replace Lenin after Lenins death Joseph Stalin cold, hard Communist Party general secretary in 1922

Joseph Stalin

Leon Trotsky

Stalin gains power from 1922 to 1927 Lenin dies in 1924 Stalin gains complete power in 1928; Trotsky is forced into exile. Trotsky is murdered in Mexico City in 1940 by an NKVD agent.

Room where Trotsky was murdered (above); Trotskys murderer, NKVD agent, Romn Mercader (right).