Communist Revolution in Russia
End of a Czar
The Bolsheviks
• Who were they?
– Bolsheviks – Small Marxist group that came to power
and prominence in Russia in the early 1900s
• Who was their leader?
– Led by Vladimir Lenin
• What was their mission?
– Wanted to overthrow the Czar (leader of Russia) and
institute a government where the proletariat
(industrial workers) would be in power
Russia Prior to the Revolution
• Russia was ruled by a rich elite (bourgeoisie) who
controlled all lands and means of making money
• The working class (proletariat) was left poor and
struggling trying to feed their families and survive
• This created a great amount of tension as
workers felt unappreciated and uncared for
– This was very similar to the American industrialists
and the working class
Key Factors Leading to Revolution
• The great difference in wealth between the two
classes of people – jealousy and anger
• Russia’s disasterous involvement in World War I
-
-
Lost nearly every battle they were in
Many soldiers lost their lives or deserted
Created problems of starvation and disease in the
major cities among civilians
Created a sense of anger and resentment in the army
Key Factors Leading to Revolution
• Czar Nicholas’s lack of leadership with civilians and
military
– Left his wife in charge while off at war
– Trusted a madman named Gregory Rasputin to help
treat his son’s medical condition
• Russian people thought Rasputin had control of the family
• Rasputin was considered immoral as he was a thief, gambler,
womanizer, and drunk – presented himself as a holy man
with great powers
• Many Russians felt he was in a relationship with the Czar’s
wife
Revolution Begins
• March 8, 1917 – Protests begin in Russian capital of
Petrograd
– Protestors were primarily soldiers, workers, and peasant
classes of Russia
– Protestors force Czar to disband the Duma
• Duma – Legislative body (law makers) of the Russian Government –
much like our Congress
– Duma defies Czar’s order – Nicholas lost control of the entire
Russian populace
• March 15, 1917 – Czar Nicholas II abdicates (gives up)
throne as leader of Russia
• This event in March was called the “February Revolution”
The Provisional Government
• Takes over after “February Revolution”
• Many Russians were unhappy with this
government…why?
– They refused to get Russia out of World War I
– No help in getting land and food to Russian people
– Continued many of the same policies as the Czar
• Leader of Government – Alexander Kerensky
Bolsheviks – Voice of Opposition
• Led by Lenin and his followers
– Movement became known as Marxism-Leninism
– Lenin returned from exile in April 1917
• Germans moved him back to create turmoil and get
Russians out of the war
Bolshevik Revolution
• How did it start?
– Failed military push against Germany and Austria led
to a revolt among soldiers of Russian army
• What was Lenin’s Revolution called by Russians?
– The “October Revolution”
– Started in November 1917
• The Revolt was nearly bloodless and led to
capture of Provisional Government and Lenin’s
take over with Bolsheviks
Initial Actions by Lenin’s Government
• What did Bolsheviks do for the Russian people?
– Made Private Ownership of Land illegal
•
Gave land to the peasants and working classes
– Seized control of Russian factories from wealthy owners
•
Gave workers control over the factories
– Got Russians out of World War I
•
•
Made peace deal with Germany – lost land but gained popular
support
Deal was made with Germany by Leon Trotsky – a top official
under Lenin
The Civil War
• What started this Civil War?
– The acceptance of a peace treaty with Germany that
cost Russia territory
• Civil War was fought between rival Bolshevik
groups
– White Russians – against Lenin
• Political officials, Army officers, Wealthy Russians
– Red Russians – fought for Lenin
• Civil War led to a famine that killed millions of
Russians
– Red Army wins the Civil War – Lenin maintains power
Post Civil War – Birth of the Soviet
Union
• Lenin had to help people recover from Civil
War and famine
– Enacted the “New Economic Policy” – this was a
plan that permitted farmers to sell food for a
profit which stimulated the economy
• Used Capitalism to get Socialist government running
• Policy started in 1921
• Encouraged more food production
Post Civil War – Birth of the Soviet
Union
• Lenin had name changed of Russia
– Now called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
– Known also as: USSR, Soviet Union
• 1924 – Lenin dies – a new Civil War starts over
who would be in control of government
Question Slide 1 of 3
1. Who were the Bolsheviks and who was their
leader?
2. What did the Bolsheviks see as their mission?
3. What was Russia like prior to the Revolution?
4. What were the key factors in Russia that led
to Revolution?
5. When was the first revolution and what was
it called? Who made up the protesters?
Question Slide 2 of 3
1. What is the Duma? What did Czar Nicholas II
do to the Duma after the protests? What was
the Duma’s response to the Czar?
2. When did Czar Nicholas II step down from
leadership?
3. Why did the Russian people not like the
provisional government that took over after
the Czar? Who was the leader of the
government?
4. Who helped to send Lenin back to Russia?
Question Slide 3 of 3
1. When was the “October Revolution”?
2. After Lenin takes over, what 3 things does his
government do?
3. What led to the Civil War between White and
Red Russians?
4. What was the “New Economic Policy”?
5. What did Russia become known in 1922?
When did Lenin die?