The Russian Revolution…
Something new, or more of the same?
1.Tsar Alexander III- Became Tsar after his father,
the reform-minded Alexander II was assassinated
by student revolutionaries. He promptly ended all
reforms started by his father. (1881)
2. Upholding the Autocracy- The Tsar had
total power over Russia. As a result, he
clamped down on any signs of reform or
revolution. Some of his methods included…
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Censorship Codes
Secret Police watched schools and
teachers. Teachers and students were
encouraged to inform on each other.
Russian as Mandatory Language
Persecution of Jews through the use of
Pogroms
3. Tsar Nicholas II Resists Change- “The
principles of autocracy will be maintained by
me…” (1894)
• Refused to surrender any power
• Economic growth expanded (factories)
• Some economic reforms funded by higher taxes
and foreign investment
Question: Who in Russian society might benefit
from economic reforms, and who would be left
behind?
4. Revolutionary Movements- Despite
crackdowns on opposition, some revolutionary
movements persisted. One belief prevailed…
• Marxism- Based on the teachings of Karl Marx.
The belief that society is involved in class
struggle, where the working class (majority) would
eventually overthrow the ruling class (tsar).
5.
Steps to Communism
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Revolution- Overthrow of the ruling class,
even if violent.
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Dictatorship of the Proletariat- Rule by
the working classes through the use of
committees.
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Socialist Millennium- Realization of
Communism, where everyone is equal and
government “ceases to exist”.
6. Russian Marxist Groups
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Mensheviks- Wanted more broad-based
support from across class lines
Bolsheviks- Led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin,
depended on a small group of revolutionary
committees.
7. Crises That Affected the Tsar’s Power
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Russo-Japanese War (1904)- Fought over
control of Korea, Manchuria and Sakhalin
Island. Humiliating defeat for the Russians.
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Bloody Sunday (1905)- Protest of workers for
better working conditions and civil rights. 1,000
killed.
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World War I (1914)- The Tsar war blamed for
losses. He was forced to return home to deal
with civil unrest.
What do you think were 2 mistakes the Tsar made with regard to WWI?
8.
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Rasputin- Not a priest, but a religious teacher and
mystic. He gained sway over the Tsarina when the Tsar
was at the war front. She believed that he could control
her son’s (Tsarevich) hemophilia.
Seen by Russians as an evil influence.
Killed by a group of nobles in 1916.
What is your opinion about Rasputin’s influence on the Tsarina? Was it smart
for her to embrace him?
9.
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March Revolution (1917)- Started by female garment
workers, joined by other workers later. Soldiers who
were supposed to fire on the protesters joined the
protest.
Protest was over bread, fuel and the war.
Tsar Abdicates Power, March 1917.
Which French Revolution event was very similar to the March Revolution?
10. The Provisional Government- After the Tsar abdicates,
the Duma (representative government) led by Alexander
Kerensky, a great orator. Still, many groups in Russia felt
like they were on the outside of government.
How were the Duma and Kerensky appointed for their positions of power?
What might have been a better way to ensure they would be supported by
the public?
11. The Bolshevik Revolution- The Bolsheviks, led by
Lenin, refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the
Provisional Government. After the Winter Palace was
stormed in Petrograd, most workers and soldiers joined the
Soviets (Socialist Committees). November 1917
What was Lenin’s slogan with regard to who should rule Russia?
12. Bolsheviks in Power- Lenin moved quickly to
consolidate power. One of the first actions was the
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russia’s participation in
World War I.
Why did some suggest that Lenin and the Bolsheviks were German spies?
13. Civil War in Russia- Despite the Bolsheviks taking
power, the White Army (made up of nobility, intelligentsia
and some army officers) fought the Red Army (Bolsheviks
and Soviets) for power between 1918 and 1920. The
Bolsheviks won out.
What ultimately did the White Army lack in order to defeat the Red Army?
14.
Lenin Restores Order- Lenin and the Bolsheviks turned their
attention to government and economic issues.
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New Economic Policy (NEP)- Allowed for some capitalism by
letting farmers sell their surplus instead of turning it over to the
government (1921).
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Political Reforms- Russia became the U.S.S.R. and the Bolsheviks
became the Communist Party.
What sort of economy does Lenin appear to be developing?
Question: If you succeeded at leading a revolution (complete and total
change in government) in a country and were faced with being replaced
as leader as a result of civil war or being voted out, how would you respond?
Would you…
• Go quietly and let the revolution fail
• Fight with every means possible, including violent means
• Some other option (describe in as much detail as possible)
Remember, the revolution you have advocated for believes that total change
is necessary for the ultimate “goal” to be realized. If you give up now, there
probably would be no hope for success in the future.
TEN MINUTES
15.
Lenin Dies- After nearly a year of
incapacitation due to stroke, Lenin dies,
leaving a power struggle to succeed him.
Who is the dead guy on display? How long has he been there?
16. Stalin and Trotskycompete for
succeeding Lenin as
leader of the U.S.S.R.
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Stalin won by
consolidating power
throughout the years,
placing his friends in
positions of power.
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Trotsky was forced into
exile in 1929.
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Trotsky is killed in
Mexico, probably at the
behest of Stalin
17.
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Stalin Consolidates Power
Creation of a Totalitarian regime
Creation of a Command Economy
Elimination of real or perceived enemies