The Russian Revolution & The
Rise of Dictators
Events Leading to the Start of WWII
Revolution in Russia
Part I
Talkin Bout a Revolution
• During the early 1900s most Russians were
unhappy
• Many paid very high taxes, worked long hours and
were paid very little
• The economy of the country was poor and the
people blamed the Czar because of costly wars
Czar Nicholas II & Family 1913
The Czar is Ousted
• WWI caused more hardship in Russia
– Didn’t have enough factories to produce weapons
– Didn’t have railroads to carry supplies
• In March of 1917 the people revolted
• Demanding “bread and peace”
• The Czar gave up is throne ending 300 years of his
family’s rule (The Romanovs)
• Czar and family are executed by Bolshevik
soldiers in a firing squad
Who is Lenin?
• People formed soviets or
committees to represent their
interests
• The most radical of these
soviets was the Bolsheviks or
Communists
• Vladimir Lenin was their
leader
• He promised to get Russia out
of war and help improve the
lives of the people
The Russian Civil War
• Lenin takes power in 11/1917 & signs a treaty
removing Russia from WWI
• The former Czar had supporters (The Whites) they
disagreed with the Communists (The Reds)
• The Whites and The Reds (led by Leon Trotsky)
fought for 3 years
• In 1921 the Whites surrendered and the
Communists controlled Russia
Bolsheviks March on Moscow
Lenin Leads the Charge
The Czar After He Steps Down
“White” Propaganda
“Red” Propaganda
The Rise of the Dictators
Part II
The Rise of Fascism & Nazism
• Dictators took control of Germany & Italy
after WWI
• Totalitarian States – political leaders totally
control the way citizens live and think
• Books, newspapers, arts and school were
used as propaganda to influence people
• New media like films and radio were also
used
Mussolini Takes Power
• Created Fascist Party
• Promised to fix Italy’s
economic crisis
• His “black shirt” army used
violence against opposition
• In 1922 Mussolini marched
on Rome and took power
• Il Duce = The Leader
The Rise of Adolf Hitler
• In his speeches he appealed to
Germany’s fear of unemployment and
anger about the end of WWI
• Nazi Party – portrayed Germans as
better than other people
• Anti-Semitism = hatred of Jews
• 1933 Hitler named Germany’s prime
minister
• Burned books about democracy, used
secret police, took over the courts
radio & newspapers, set up
concentration camps & restricted
women’s rights
Stalin & The Soviet Union
• Lenin dies in 1924 & Stalin is named
leader
• Five Year Plans – aimed to fix
Russian economy through
industrialization
• Collectivization – combined small
farms into large govt owned farms
• Peasants who wanted to keep their
own farms were shot or jailed
• Stalin caused a famine in the Ukraine
as a way to control the people there
• Most farmers and workers were paid
poorly and suffered under Stalin’s
rule
The Military Rules Japan
• Japan became industrial power in 1900
• Military takes control in 1920s
• Factory owners and managers grew
wealthy but workers and farmers were
poor
• Food shortages and high prices led to
food riots
• Japanese military leaders felt that
acquiring more land would fix their
problems
• 1931 Japan invades Manchuria in
northern China & killed their own
Prime Minister who disagreed with the
invasion
Timeline Quiz Grade
• Create a timeline showing the major events of the
Russian Revolution and the Rise of Dictators
• Use the textbook as your source
• The timeline will start in 1917 and end in 1939
• Fill in the remaining dates making sure that they are
all the exact same distance apart
• Include a title
• Include four illustrations
Include the following events
• Czar Nicholas II steps down in
Russia
• The Bolsheviks seize the
“Winter Palace” & Lenin
becomes new head of
government
• The Russian Civil War begins
• The Russian Civil War ends
• Mussolini takes power
• Nazi party becomes the largest
in Germany
• Hitler becomes prime minister
• Lenin dies & Stalin takes over
• Five – year plans are introduced
in Russia
• Soviet Union becomes a major
industrial power
• Japanese military leaders take
power
• Japan invades manchuria