UNIT 4: REVOLUTIONS
Lesson 4
Russian Revolution
 The
variety of opinions demonstrated by Enlightenment philosophy
about the most effective structure for government and society.
 The
impact that literature and art had in revolutionizing society in
Western countries.
 The
shift from government power being absolute and from God to it
being derived from the common man and the varying perspectives on
this during the Enlightenment.
WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
 People
around the world are rebelling against their
governments as a result of societal and economic
inequalities
 Government
exploitation by European powers through
taxation and economic inequalities inspired revolution.
 Growing
class divisions led to conflict as people rebelled
against their government.
OBJECTIVES
 Should
all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic or
educational background?
 How
does scarcity of resources affect relationships between various
groups of people?
 How
 Is
do economic disparities result in political unrest and revolution?
political change inevitable?
GUIDING QUESTIONS
 By
1917- Two revolutions swept through the nation
 Chronic
civil unrest plus food shortages
 Within
the reign of Nicholas II there has been government
corruption and a backward economy
 Constant
 People
disbanding of the Duma (parliament)
had lost faith
WHAT LED TO IT: WE ARE FOCUSING ON 1907
Frustration
Corruptions
Economy
REASONS FOR REVOLT

began on March 8, 1917 when demonstrators shouting for bread took Russian capital of
Petrograd. Supported by huge crowds of industrial workers, the protesters clashed with
police. Irate mobs destroyed police stations. Army was called in and some regiments
opened fire, killing demonstrators, but the people would not leave and the troops
began to back off.

March 11 King dissolves the Duma again and the soviet troops begin to join forces with
the protesters. The imperial government resigns and the Duma reforms a provisional
government. Nicholas II leaves the thrown for his brother Michael who refuses it and
ends the czarist autocracy.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
 In
November 1917, the government is now shared between the
provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet. A Bolshevik radical
leader (Vladimir Lenin) starts a coup’ against the provisional government.
The Bolsheviks occupy the government leaders and form their own new
government.
 Lenin
becomes the dictator of the first Marxist state. They make peace
with other nations and distributed land. In 1918 a civil war begins against
the Bolsheviks begin. In 1920 these people are defeated and in 1922 a
union of soviet socialist republics (USSR) is formed.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
 Collapse
of the Russian Empire and the Czars.
 Chronic
civil unrest plus food shortages led to revolts forcing Nicholas II
(czar) to leave the throne. Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)
 After
Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolshevik forces in
July 1918. They hid the victims’ mutilated bodies. The remains were
discovered in the late 1970s.
 Civil
War enacted between the Whites and Red (socialism and the
provisional government (communist) which allowed Lenin to rise)
 Rise
of socialism in Russia
OUTCOME OF THE WAR
IMPORTANT PEOPLE/ IDEAS

Nicholas II: Tsar and leader of the communist government of Russia. Was overthrown by
the Bolsheviks and assassinated with their mutilated bodies hidden (Disney Anastasia). End
of aristocracy in Russia

Bolsheviks: Extreme political group that joined together with the working class (those
working in the factories) and overthrew the government. Led by Lenin

Socialism: social and economic system characterized by social ownership and/or social
control of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy, as
well as a political theory and movement that aims at the establishment of such a system

Communism: a social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate
goal is the establishment of the communist society, which is a socioeconomic order
structured upon the common ownership of the means of production and the collapse of
social orders

Karl Marx: Philosopher who created the ideals that fueled socialism

Lenin: Bolshevik leader who helped overthrow in the temporary leader and became a
socialist dictator. Distributed land to the peasants and abolished the aristocracy of Russia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKhuvril8Rs

17:34-31:13…. 133-210.
OLYMPIC REPRESENTATION OF THEIR
HISTORY
 Should
all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic
or educational background?
 How
does scarcity of resources affect relationships between
various groups of people?
 How
do economic disparities result in political unrest and
revolution?
 Is
political change inevitable?
REVIEW: GUIDING QUESTIONS