Russian Revolution: Chpt. 14.1
Name:
Per.
Czar Nicolas II- King of Russia in the early 1900’s
Abdicate- to give up the position of King and all its powers to another person or group.
Bolshevics- Lenin’s Communist party in Russia
Duma- the Russian parliament, like a congress and made up of elected officials who make and enforce laws.
The Provisional Government- A group of democracy minded upper and middle class men, trying to run the
government after the Czar steps down. They want to stick it out in WWI.
Kerenski- The head of the Provisional Government, a capitalist. Also tries to keep Russia in WWI.
The Soviets- Councils of Elders from all the great cities of Russia. The biggest cities elect Communist
Bolsheviks to their Soviets and eventually, these groups, led by Lenin, take over in a coup.
Lenin- Brilliant Communist mastermind who leads the Bolsheviks in a bloodless coup and takes over Russia.
Mensheviks- Opponents to the Bolsheviks, capitalist, funded by the US, they fight a civil war for two years
until they are defeated by the red army.
Causes of the Russian Revolution: Why are the Russian people angry?
Autocratic Rule
Industrialization
Russo-Japanese
War
Bloody Sunday
WWI
Factors leading to Revolution in Russia
Directions: Label each of these factors political, economic or social
1. Russia had focused on a strong army and expanding its territories and now had a large country of many different nationalities.
2. Small section of the population was well-educated and traveled around Europe.
3. Previous attempts at revolution had occurred including a failed attempt in 1825, an assassination of the czar in 1881 and a failed revolution in
1905.
4. The response of the czars to attempts at revolution or reformation were to become more strict and repressive in their ruling, requiring loyalty to
the country and the Russian Orthodox Church.
5. Majority of population are poor peasants who do not own the land that they farm.
6. Russia industrializes in the late 1800s. Working conditions in the factories were similar to those in England during the start of their Industrial
Revolution.
7. An unarmed group of protesters led by a priest in 1905 who are loyal to the czar but want there to be reforms in the system, are shot down by
the czar’s army.
8. Beginning in 1914 the Russians are fighting in World War I, causing a huge number of deaths for Russian soldiers and food shortages for
Russians at home.
9. Ideas of democracy, socialism and communism are preached to the peasants at rallies and meetings.
10. Czar Nicholas II believes he rules by divine right, or because God chose him to rule.
Effects of these Causes: How do the Russian people respond to their situation?
Marxism (see
What do the people like about Marxism?
pg 302 – 304)
The way
communism is
supposed to work
1. Based on Doc 1A, explain the beliefs of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
2. According to Doc. 1B, how was Russia affected by its involvement in WWI?
3. What did Communist Vladimir Lenin promise the Russian people?
4. Explain why communism might appeal to the Russian people.
March
Revolution
Why do people like Lenin’s ideas?
Czar steps down,
Lenin steps up
5. How did the Russian People respond to their poor living conditions in 1917?
Bolshevik
Revolution
Why do the peasants support the Bolsheviks?
6. Why does Lenin want to overthrow the Provisional Government?
Further Effects: How do these revolutions effect Russia economically and politically?
Civil War
Lenin’s New
Economic
Policy and
Political
Reforms
7. What changes does Lenin make in his New Economic Policy?
8. According to Doc 4B, how did the NEP affect Russia?