Russian Revolution
Historical Background
Terms to Know
Democracy: a government formed to
represent the people directly or through
elected representatives
Constitutional Monarchy: a government
whose head of state is a monarch. The
governmental policies are spelled out in a
written constitution
Terms to Know
Dictatorship: a government whose leader
has absolute authority over all things in the
government and under its control
Totalitarian state: a government whose
leader or political party has absolute
control over all aspects of its citizens’ lives.
Opposing ideas are not welcomed.
Terms to Know


Communism/Socialism: an economic system in
which there is no private property--everything is
held in common (by the government) for the
common good of all members
Cooperation and Sharing
Capitalism: an economic system based on
private ownership; government involvement is
limited and the market is based on “free
enterprise”
Competition and Personal Profit
The Philosophical
Origins of
Communism
Karl Marx: Father of
Communism
German Philosopher
1847: wrote and
published The Manifesto
of the Communist Party
Karl Marx: Father of
Communism
“The point is not
merely to understand
the world, but to
change it.”
Karl Marx: Manifesto
Problems with Capitalism
 Encouraged competition
 Provided unequal rewards-a few get a lot and most
get little
 Wealthy hoarded
education to keep the poor
in their place
Solution: Marxism
 Equal distribution of
wealth
 Tranquil & equal
relationship among
citizens
 Elimination of poverty,
ignorance, and
starvation
Karl Marx: Father of
Communism
“From each
according to his
ability, to each
according to his
needs.”
Karl Marx: How to do it
Revolution: the wealthy won’t do this
willingly so there will be a great revolt of the
workers (many) who will overthrow the
wealthy (few)
Karl Marx: Father of
Communism
“Workers of the world
unite; you have
nothing to lose but
your chains.”
Russia
1900-1917
Russia: 1900-1917


Marx’s ideas were spreading (communism)
Workers organized by:
Vladimir Lenin
Leon Trotsky
Joseph Dzugashvill, who changed his
name to Stalin (man of steel)
Russia: 1900-1917



Political system run by a Czar
(Nicholas II) who dictated policy-claimed to draw his power from God
Widespread poverty, hunger, and
unemployment
Czar entered WWI on the side of the
British, French, and Italians--more $$
diverted to army
Russia: 1900-1917


1914-1917: Minor revolts took place
across Russia
1917: Mob assaulted the seat of
government and Czar Nicholas II admitted
defeat and abdicated (and left town in a
hurry)
Russia: 1900-1918


February-October 1917: No unified central
government
Provisional government set up at the
Winter Palace in St. Petersburg--but they
didn’t have control of the country
Russia: 1900-1918

February-October 1917: Lenin, Trotsky, and
Stalin worked together to take control of:




Military
Railroads
Telegraph lines
They promised soldiers and workers a more
equal distribution of wealth


“Land, bread, and peace for everyone”
“All Power to the Soviets”
Russia: 1900-1918

October 1917: Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin
assaulted the Winter Palace and seized
control of the government
Karl Marx
"The Father of Communism"
The Idea Man
Vladimir Lenin
"The Leader"
Bolshevik Party
Leon Trotsky
"The Dreamer"
Joseph Stalin
"The Pragmatist"
Communism under Lenin


“We shall now
proceed to the
construction of the
communist order.”
Goal: Peace and
Equality
Communism under Lenin




Abolished private property
Redistributed land according to need
Outlawed hired labor
Gradually nationalized banks and
businesses (under state control to
ensure fair division of profits)
Communism under Lenin

Problems
Owed $$ from the war
 The former wealthy didn’t like the new plan
 U.S. and Great Britain didn’t like the
revolution (why not?) and gave $$ to
opposition

Communism under Lenin


Problem: How could Lenin bring about
peace when there was opposition?
Solution: The Red Army
Communism under Lenin
 The
Red Army: created to root
out and destroy dissenters
(suspected anti-communists)
 terror
campaign
 many Russians executed
Communism Under Lenin



1918-1921: Civil war between
Communists and their enemies
Led by Trotsky the Red Army prevailed
and communists maintained power
1922 Lenin suffered 3 strokes and died
Communist power struggle:
1922-1926
Trotsky versus Stalin
1922-26: Trotsky versus Lenin
Trotsky
“The Dreamer”
n
n
n
Brilliant speaker and
writer
Spoke with fire and
passion
Inspiring leader
1922-26: Trotsky versus Stalin
Stalin

Intelligent

Not as gifted a speaker as
Trotsky

focused on administrative
duties and creating loyal
bonds between himself
and the powerful men

a diplomat/pragmatist
Trotsky defeated


In 1926 he left for Mexico
Assassinated in Mexico in 1940
Stalin in power: 1926-1953
5 Year plans to industrialize Russia
Stalin in power: 1926-1953
KGB: Russia’s internal police force
spied on opposition within Russia
Stalin in power: 1926-1953
Gulags: Prison camps
kept prisoners arrested for “anti-Communist
activities” in horrible conditions and used
them as cheap labor
Stalin in power: 1926-1953
Purges of 1934
2-7 million people killed
 People (many high-ranking officials) arrested
and forced to “confess” through torture
