Russia Moved Toward
Revolution
Life for the Peasants Under the
Czars: What was it Like?
TWO WORDS:
NOT GOOD!!!
Revolutionaries Seek Change
Social Revolutionaries
VS.
Social Democrats
Who Are They?
Social Revolutionaries
• Believed that peasants would revolt
against the government
• wanted land to be distributed fairly
Social Democrats
• Believed urban workers would revolt
against the government
• Wanted everyone to share in society’s
Social Democrats Split
Menshevisks
VS.
Bolsheviks
Differing Beliefs
Mensheviks
• means “minority”
• wanted to bring about change in Russia
gradually
• larger following than Bolsheviks
Bolsheviks
• means “majority”
• wanted to bring about change quickly
• led by Vladimir Lenin
Lenin Leads the Bolsheviks
• Believed that working class was too
small and too poorly educated to stage
a revolution.
• Argued that a small group of Marxists
should take charge of government until
the people were ready to take charge of
society themselves.
Czars Lose Power - Why?
Russo-Japanese War
– Nicholas II - Declared war on Japan in 1904
– Russia lost badly
Revolution of 1905
– Workers asked for better working conditions,
more personal freedom, elected national
legislature. (Peaceful gathering)
– Bloody Sunday - 500 - 1000 people killed
Formation of Duma (Russian Parliament)
– Created it but then got rid of it.
Romanov Rule Ends
1914 - World War I begins and
Russia goes to war with Austria
and Germany
1915 - Nicholas II puts his wife
Alexandra in charge of government
The Rule of the Czar Comes to
an End
• Alexandra listened to Rasputin considered to be a holy man because
he seemed to cure their son of
hemophilia
• Rasputin told Alexandra - “Resist
Reform!”
• 1917 - Bread riots & soldiers refuse to
fight anymore - Nicholas forced to
leave
NOW WHAT???
Essay Question: Due Wednesday
• What was life like in Russia
under Lenin? Under
Stalin? Did the people of
Russia benefit under either
ruler? Explain (50 points,
Typed, Formal Essay)