Russian Revolution Syllabus 2009-10

UNIT 2: RUSSIA 1900-1939 In this unit of 20c History, we will be studying the Russian Revolutions (1905 and 1917) including their causes, important people, and outcomes. This is a large topic so we will study this in sections. Part one will begin with Tsar Nicholas II and end with the Bolsheviks seizing power in 1917. In part two we will explore how the Bolsheviks hold on to power and try to modernize Russia under Lenin and Stalin. This unit will begin slowly so that important concepts like Marxism, nationalism, and revolutions can be introduced and reviewed. We will use the political spectrum as a model to understand terms like radicals, conservatives, and liberals. These terms and others are important to understanding life in the 20c and the communities that we live in today. Unit question:
1. Was the Russian Revolution progressive or regressive? Essential questions: 1. Did life improve for women under the Soviet Union? 2. Who were the radicals of the Russian Revolution? 3. Are there significant similarities between Lenin and Gandhi? We will use the book, From Autocracy to Communism: Russia 1894-1941, during this unit. It gives a good overview of events and includes primary sources. This is an overview of the topics we will be studying in class each week. Please read and take SQ3R/Cornell notes on the chapters before you come to class. In addition to your book, Ruling Russia, I have prepared some handouts and reading materials. Please keep this packet in a binder and bring it to class each day so that we can refer to the articles.

Week of November 3-7

Focus Question: What were the primary causes of the 1905 Russian Revolution? Opponents to Czardom p 18-27 The 1905 Revolution p 32-40

November 10-19 Bloody Sunday and historiography The political spectrum 10 B: November 24-28 Provisional Government Focus Question: How well does the Russian Revolution fit the first two stages of the revolution model? p, 76-81; p. 88-101: The February Revolution The October Revolution Kornilov's Revolt 10 O: November 24-28 Lenins Revolution Focus Question: Based on his policies, was Lenin more conservative or liberal in the period 1917-1924? The Red Terror p. 145 War Communism p. 151 The Kronstadt Rising, 1921 p 156 The New Economic Policy p 160 The Shaping of Soviet Society P 166 Vocabulary

Red Terror War Communism Red Guards Red Army New Economic Policy (NEP) NEPmen Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Cheka Kulaks Kronstadt Rising, 1921 Petrograd Kronstadt Manifesto "On Party Unity" Bukharin "Decree on the Separation of Church and State

Scissors Crisis Marxism-Leninism Political commissars Leon Trotsky

10 O: November 30-December 4 The Provisional Government Focus Question: How well does the Russian Revolution fit the first two stages of the revolution model? Pg. 76-81; p. 88-101: The February Revolution The October Revolution Kornilov's Revolt 10 B: November 30-December 5 Lenins Revolution Focus Question: Based on his policies, was Lenin more of a liberal or conservative in the period 1917-1924? The Red Terror p. 145-150 War Communism p. 151-155 The Kronstadt Rising, 1921 p 156-159 The New Economic Policy p 160-165 The Shaping of Soviet Society P 166-170 Vocabulary

Red Terror War Communism Red Guards Red Army New Economic Policy (NEP) NEPmen Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Cheka Kulaks Kronstadt Rising, 1921 Petrograd

Kronstadt Manifesto "On Party Unity" Bukharin "Decree on the Separation of Church and State" Scissors Crisis Marxism-Leninism Political commissars Leon Trotsky

December 7-11: Stalins Rule in the 1920s Focus Question: Did Stalin bring socialism to Russia? Did life improve for women under the Soviet Union? The Power Struggle 187-193 Collectivization 202-209 Industrialization 210-214

December 14-18: Stalins Terror State Focus Question: Why were there purges under Stalin? The Early Purges 225-226 The Great Purge: 1936-1939 p 230-237 Assessments: There will be reading quizzes in class. Bloody Sunday Unit Activity The Russia unit test will be on Wednesday, January 20. This will include an essay question and multiple choice questions. Glossary Tsar/Czar/CsarRussian term for monarch. It is a form of the word Caesar. Tsar Nicolas IIThe last of the Romanov Dynasty rulers in Russia. He abdicated in March 1917. Tsarina AlexandraThe Tsars wife who

died in the revolution. Edict of Emancipation: Serfs were legally freed in 1861 but were not given land immediately, so many continued to be very poor. Divine right monarchyThe king or queen was chosen by God and has the support of the divinity. This was a common belief in many European countries before 1800. This is different from the Japanese emperors before 1945 who were considered to be gods. AutocratThis is a form of government in which one person rules without needing to share decisions with others. Civil serviceThe part of the government that performs the daily tasks of government. Also called the bureaucracy, because it is often divided into bureaus (Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI in the US) or offices. The civil service does not create laws like the legislature but carries out the laws. Secret policegovernment agents who are domestic spies, make arrests, and generally spread fear among citizens to help the government maintain control. Aristocrats Rule by the aristocracy or nobles. These are people who have their influence in government and income from having inherited titles and lands of nobility from their ancestors, like dukes, barons, and counts. PeasantsThese are usually poor farmers who may or may not own their own land and equipment. SerfdomA form of slavery in which the people may or may not be directly owned by the lord or noble, but they are legally tied to the land and can be transferred if the land is sold to another lord or noble. Russian serfs are legally freed in the 19c but many continue to live in very poor conditions. Karl MarxHe was a German political theorist who tried to explain how history was affected by economic change. MarxismThis is a theory that states that all of history can be understood as conflicts between different economic groups. Marxism predicts that the final conflict will lead to a society where everyone is economically equal. Also, every country and government is directly shaped by the

type of economic system (feudalism, capitalism, etc) that it has. OkhranaRussian secret police during the empire. Capitalists/bourgeoisiePeople who own large businesses or who are professionals for an occupation. They were not the aristocracy nor the proletariat. Proletariat-These are workers, usually those in the cities instead of farmers. Social Revolutionary Party (SRs)Believed that peasants were most important and that land should be redistributed from large landlords to small farmers. Social Democratic Party (SDs)Believed that factory workers should start a revolution in Russia to end the empire. They follow the writings of German philosopher Karl Marx. BolsheviksMajority segment of the SDs when the SDs split in 1903. Bolsheviks wanted a small, elite group of revolutionaries to lead the Russian workers against the Czar. MensheviksMinority segment of the SDs when the SDs split in 1903. Mensheviks wanted their political party to be open to everyone. CossackA person from a semi-nomadic tribe in Russia. Some Cossacks served as guards to the czar. Vladimir Ilych Ulyanov (Lenin) Bolshevik leader and first leader of the USSR Russo-Japanese War1904-1905 war in which the Japanese defeat a major European power for the first time. The Japanese victory gives confidence to the Japanese government and encourages doubt amongst Russians. Kadet PartyThose who wanted to keep the monarchy but create a legislature to work with it. Similar to a constitutional monarchy today. Bloody Sunday22 January 1905 ordinary Russians attempt to present a petition to the Tsar but are attacked but soldiers. Black Hundredsunofficial groups that formed to resist the 1905 revolution by attacking Jews and revolutionaries. Black Hundreds supported the Czar. St Petersburg/Petrograd/LeningradCity in northern Russia that was originally built by Peter the Great. The citys name was changed to Petrograd during World War I. After Lenins death, the city was known as Leningrad

during the Soviet period. Today it is St. Petersburg. Coup detat(French) to overthrow the government and seize power DumaRussian parliament or legislature Soviet- elected representative body based on factories, military units, farms, and other local areas. The soviets rule locally and send representatives to the central government. In theory it is a republican form of government. Provisional government October Manifesto The Czar agreed to elections and to share power with the Duma, or parliament. Gregory RasputinRussian monk and advisor to the Tsarina. Peter StolypinRussian Prime Minister who attempted reforms to strengthen the monarchy Kulakswealthier peasants in a class created by the Stolypin to encourage more support of the governments policies PloughThis is used in farming to cut the soil in the spring so that seeds can be planted. It would usually have been pulled by one or two horses while the farmer walks behind to steer. February Revolution Barrackshousing for soldiers ArsenalA government storehouse for weapons and ammunition Alexander KerenskyHe was a Russian Duma member and minister who led the Provisional Government February 1917-. He was overthrown by the Bolsheviks. Petrograd SovietCouncil government for Petrograd. Members were workers and soldiers after February 1917. It competed with the Provisional Government for control fo the country, the army. Order Number OneThe Petrograd Soviet declared that the armys loyalty was to the Petrograd Soviet and not the Provisional Government and that when orders from the Soviet and the Provisional Government disagreed, the Soviets order was final. April Theses (1917)Lenins announced plan to end the Russian war with Germany, government takeover of banks and factories, and new Russian government based on the soviets Peace, Bread, Land All power to the soviets. Petrograd/St. Petersburgcity in northern Russia built by Peter the Great. Petrograd or St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia until 1918. Intuitionyour feelings or instincts about something or someone, not based on reason. Kronstadt Leon TrotskyHe was one of the key leaders of the Bolsheviks and who reorganized the imperial army into the more

effective Red Army. He will later be assassinated in Mexico by agents sent by Stalin. July DaysBolsheviks attempt to seize power for the first time in 1917 in Petrograd. The attempt fails and the Provisional Government charges the Bolshevik leaders with treason. Lenin and other leaders must go into hiding or face arrest and execution. KornilovRussian general who planned to seize power from the Provisional Government in September 1917. Commander-in-chiefThis is the highest military officer in a country. October Revolution 1917Bolsheviks led a coup against the Provisional Government General staffTop army officers who direct and plan a war. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918Russian treaty with Germany. Russia would withdraw from World War I. In exchange, Russia gave up Finland and territories in Eastern Europe. ChekaSecret police under Lenin and the Communist Party White ArmyIn the Russian Civil War, the Whites were against the Communists. They were a mix of SRs, Menshiks, Kadets, and Czarists. Red ArmyIn the Russian Civil War, the Reds supported the Communist Party. Red TerrorThe arrests and executions of people suspected of being anti-Communist, 1918-1922. RoublesRussian money like Yen or Euros War Communism-ComradeA form of address that suggests social equality. Red Guardsa force of soldiers and workers who are armed New Economic Policy (NEP)Lenin ended War Communism in 1921 because the economy had collapsed and there was starvation. Under NEP, individuals could freely grow crops, for example, and sell them to make a profit. Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Russia under the Communists from 1924-1991. Socialism in one country. Stalins proposal to strengthen the USSR as a communist country and not wait for other countries to also have communist revolutions. Troikathe alliance between Stalin, Zinoviev, and Kamenev to drive Trotsky from power. PolitburoThe Russian Communist Party elected a Central Committee. The Politburo was a small subcommittee of the Central Committee but it made the key decisions. The Politburo after Lenins death had seven

members (Trotsky, Stalin, Zinoviev, Bukharin, Rykov, Kamenev, and Tomsky). Totalitarianism Revolution from above Five-Year Plans Collectivisation OGPUThe secret police under Stalin. OGPU replaced Cheka. Dekulakization