The Russian RevolutionOctober 1917

World War I(1914-1918)

Russia was unprepared for war:

• was still recovering from the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)

• many troops sent to front unarmed (up to 1 out of 3)

Russia suffered many defeats.

Three-quarters of Russia’s troops become casualties.

At one point Nicholas II personally took command of the army and ran the war.

Grigory Rasputin

• religious mystic• gained the trust of the tsarina

-allegedly had the ability to heal the tsarevitch of his hemophellia

• was seen as a harmful influence

Provisional Government

• headed by Alexander Kerensky• asked tsar to abdicate• made the fatal mistake of staying

in World War I

Bolsheviks Mensheviks

Socialists

The Intelligentsia evolved into two wings:

Mensheviks• means “less”

• the minority party among the revolutionary socialists

• believed in the gradual achievement of socialism by parliamentary means

Bolsheviks• means “majority” or “larger”

• believed in the violent overthrow of capitalism and the monarchy in Russia

• became known as Communists (“Reds”)

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

(1870-1924)

• real last name was Ulyanov• son of a provincial inspector of

schools• grandson of a serf

“Russia is a prison of nations.”

- Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Lenin(continued)

• became a revolutionary after his older brother Alexander was executed by hanging in 1887 for plotting to assassinate Tsar Alexander III

Lenin as Exile

• spent many years in exile - both internally (in Siberia) and externally (in Western Europe)

• agitated for revolution while abroad

Lenin as Revolutionary • was transported by Germans to

Russia in a sealed train in 1917

-delivered the April Manifesto:

1. Land

2. Peace

3. All power to the Soviets

Lenin addressing a crowd in 1917.

The BolsheviksSeize Control

• led the October (November) 1917 Revolution [Russia was still using the Julian calendar at the time]

• ended Russia’s involvement in World War I by negotiating the peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

• ends Russia’s involvement in World War I

• negotiated between Bolshevik Russia and Germans

Russia exchanged 1/4 of its land, 1/3 of its population, and 1/2 of its industry for peace.

Nicholas and his family were sent to internal exile by the Bolsheviks.

Death of a Dynasty

• the Romanov royal family was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918-their remains were dumped down an abandoned mine shaft, which was then sealed-up and forgotten

Why?

Civil War(1918-1921)

• between the “Whites” (Royalists and anti-communists) and “Reds” (Communists)

-at one point 6/7ths of Russia is occupied by the “Whites” with the aid of foreign powers

“Reds” win because Leon Trotsky organizes an efficient Red Army

Western nations try to back “Whites,” but lack the resolve in the wake of World War I. Leon Trotsky