• Rigid social structure – nobility vs. peasants
• Huge gap between rich and poor
• Slow to industrialize, mostly agricultural
• Tsar had absolute power
Criticism of the Tsar
•Poor military commander
•Poor political leader
•Left the Tsarina in charge of the government – no interest, no experience
•Worried about health of Tsarivich
Why would Russian peasants be attracted to the ideology of
communism?
Why would Russian peasants be attracted to the ideology of
communism?
Over 15 million men joined the army not enough workers in factories and
farms = caused shortages of food and materials
Railway system very poor could not supply the troops could not supply the towns food prices rose
RasputinRasputin
Russian Orthodox Monk Faith healer, psychic Corrupt, drunk, pervert Too much influence at
court Public appalled,
weakened monarchy
Russian Orthodox Monk Faith healer, psychic Corrupt, drunk, pervert Too much influence at
court Public appalled,
weakened monarchy
Tsar refused to accept advice from the Duma
Lenin and Trotsky lead Duma in walkout.
Beginning of February Revolution
TimelineTimeline
Bloody Sunday WWI - Defeats and shortages February Revolution - Tzar abdicates,
Kerensky and Provisional Government take over.
October Revolution - Provisional Government overthrown by Bolsheviks (Russian Communist Party) led by Lenin
Bloody Sunday WWI - Defeats and shortages February Revolution - Tzar abdicates,
Kerensky and Provisional Government take over.
October Revolution - Provisional Government overthrown by Bolsheviks (Russian Communist Party) led by Lenin
Russian Civil War 1918-1920Russian Civil War 1918-1920
Whites vs. Reds - Loyalists and democrats vs. Communist
Tzar and family assassinated.
Shortages, famines and disease = millions of deaths (8,800,000)
Whites vs. Reds - Loyalists and democrats vs. Communist
Tzar and family assassinated.
Shortages, famines and disease = millions of deaths (8,800,000)