Animal FarmA rush through Russian history

Pre 1917• Tsar Nicolas II ruled

Russia. • The ruling class was

very rich and powerful• Most people in Russia

were poor peasant workers, living in appalling conditions – low wages and little food.

February 1917• Demonstrations and

protests in Petrograd (St Petersburg) led to Emperor Nicolas II’s forced abdication

The October Revolution (1917)• This more organised

rebellion established the Bolsheviks in power. • Lenin, supported by

Stalin and Trotsky, led the Bolsheviks.• Communism was

established

Power struggle• When Lenin became

ill (he died in 1924), the struggle for leadership between Stalin and Trotsky intensified.

Leon Trotsky• Brilliant and charismatic• Creator of Red Army,

theorist of communism• A gifted speaker, wanted

to educate his people and improve their lives• Had a vision of

communism spreading across the world

Josef Stalin• Much less charismatic

than Trotsky, seen as rude and uncultured• Was a strategist – got

to know key people in the party• Took control of the

secret police• Wanted ‘socialism in

one country’

1918 – Civil War in Russia• Trotsky showed skill

during the war, whereas Stalin tended to stay behind the scenes• Western countries sent

armies to fight against the Bolsheviks, concerned that Communism could spread

Leadership• Lenin wanted Trotsky

to lead the party, but Stalin had worked behind Trotsky’s back – ‘digging the dirt’.• Stalin eventually took

control and began dictating – not quite the equal society that had been promised.

Stalin in power• Through clever use of

propaganda and the secret police, Stalin forced Trotsky out of Russia into exile.• Stalin decided he

wanted to ‘industrialise’ Russia – quickly. He implemented his ‘five-year plan’. It failed.

Propaganda• Stalin was a master of

propaganda.• People who fell out of

favour with Stalin were often killed and eliminated from historical record.• For example, Trotsky was

standing beside Stalin. Once he fell out of favour, he was removed from the photo.

Problems in Russia• Reeling from war and the

failed five year plan, there was famine in Russia.

• Some people began to rebel – they were punished and executed by Stalin in ‘show trials’.

• His power was so great that innocent people (but seen as a threat) confessed to crimes they had not committed.

Tyranny• Stalin became

increasingly dictatorial• He wanted to be

worshipped and seen as a ‘God-like’ figure

World War II• Stalin initially sided

with Britain and France, but changed his mind and formed an agreement with Germany in 1939.• Despite this,

Germany invaded Russia in 1941.

Impact• The Russian people

suffered much hardship following this invasion. In 1943, Germany was eventually driven out of Russia

Power…• By 1943, Stalin’s power

was absolute• After brief alliance with

Germany, met with Britain and America to discuss the war• He became more like a

Tsar than a man whose ideas were supposedly based on those of Marx or Lenin

Questions…• In your opinion, what qualities should a good leader have?• Why do you think revolutions occur? What circumstances

would drive people to overthrow their daily lives?• Nations may be unhappy with their circumstances for many

reasons. List some of these. Of the reasons you came up with, which can be partly or completely changed?