ACADEMIC
Name __________________________
OVERVIEW: The Russian Revolution
DIRECTIONS: Read to find the answers to the questions on the back of this page.
The Russian Revolution, begun in 1917, created the world’s first Communist state. It also caused most Western
nations to fear Communism, which demands an end to private property and organized religion, as well as the
overthrow of the government. After World War Two, this suspicion led to a time period known as the Cold War,
which lasted from 1945-1989. The Cold War involved Russia (then known as the U.S.S.R.) taking control of many
Eastern European countries and becoming a world superpower. It also involved spying, minor wars, and a nuclear
arms race between the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.
Russian Revolution: Background
By 1917, most Russians had lost faith in the leadership ability of Czar Nicholas II.
His government was corrupt and the Russian economy remained backward. To top
it off, Nicholas mostly ignored the laws passed by the Duma, or Russian
parliament. However, the immediate cause of the Revolution was Russia's
disastrous involvement in World War I (1914-18). Russia did not have enough
supplies for its soldiers, but relied on outnumbering the enemy with millions of
men. However, Russia suffered more casualties in WWI than any nation in any previous war. Both moderates and
radicals in Russia began to call for the overthrow of the czar.
February Revolution: March 1917
The February Revolution (known as such because of Russia's use of the ancient Julian calendar until February
1918) began on March 8, 1917 (or February 23 on the Julian calendar), when demonstrators clamoring for bread
took to the streets in the Russian capital of Petrograd (now called St. Petersburg). Supported by huge crowds of
striking industrial workers, the protesters clashed with police but refused to leave the streets. On March 10, the
strike spread among all of Petrograd's workers, and irate mobs destroyed police stations. Several factories elected
deputies to the Petrograd Soviet, or council of workers' committees.
On March 11, army troops stationed in Petrograd were called out to stop the uprising. That day, Nicholas again
dissolved the Duma. Then, on March 12, the army troops joined the protesters in the streets. Soldiers, too, joined
workers in the Petrograd Soviet. Czar Nicholas then chose to abdicate his throne.
October Revolution: November 1917
In the aftermath of the February Revolution, power was shared between a weak provisional
government (led by the Duma) and the Petrograd Soviet (led by workers and soldiers). Then,
on November 6 and 7, 1917 (or October 24 and 25 for Russians), Communists called
“Bolsheviks,” led by Vladimir Lenin, held a coup d’etat to overthrow the provisional
government. The Bolsheviks soon formed a new government with Lenin as its dictator.
Lenin’s government immediately signed a peace treaty with Germany,
ending Russian involvement in World War I. It then seized control of
all land and industry, and intended to give land to the peasants and
control of factories to the workers. But anti-Bolshevik forces, forming a “White Army,”
fought to regain control of the government. Not until 1922 did Lenin’s government gain full
control of Russia, renaming it the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or U.S.S.R.
QUESTIONS:
1) List 2 things Czar Nicholas did that made the people turn against him.
a.
b.
2) Describe what happened in the “February Revolution” of March 1917.
3) Describe what happened in the “October Revolution” of November 1917.
4) Does it sound like Lenin’s government was better or worse for Russia than the rule of the Czar? Explain
your opinion.