Russian Revolution

Russian Government Before Revolution

Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were

unlimited. Russia had no constitution, No political party system to check the

Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized

the people.

Royal Background

Nicholas II

• Created the first secret police in Russia, brutal leader.

Czar Alexander II

• He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom.

• In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States.

• Killed by the Revolutionary Group: The People’s Will

Czar Alexander III

• Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia .

• His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

Czar Nicholas II (1894)Last Czar of Russia

Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because

of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Russia and World War I

Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary

War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war

front

March Revolution (1917)

1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over.

Czar abdicates Provisional government (Duma) takes

control lead by Alexander Keresnky Provisional government unpopular

after decision to stay in WWI

October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917

Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread”

Won support of people (especially peasants)

1918

1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the

peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.

Rule of Lenin 1920-1924

Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP)

-moderate mix of capitalism and socialism

Political Reforms

-Bolshevik party became Communist Party

-Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics

Communism

A Form of Socialism Central Planning of the Economy by the State

Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

1924

Lenin Dies Power Vaccuum Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Stalin takes control Now must decide how he will maintain

power Decides to create a totalitarian state

Characteristics of a Totalitarian State

Dictatorship- Absolute Authority Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation State Control Over All Sectors of Society

Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts

State Control Over the Individual Obedience Denies basic liberties

Organized Violence Uses force to crush opposition

Stalin’s Totalitarian State

State Control of the Economy 5 year plan, collective farms

Police Terror Great Purge, crush opposition

Religious Persecution Control of the individual

Propaganda (socialist realism) Molding peoples minds

Education Controlled by the government

Nikita Khrushchev

Supporter of Stalin’s Purges

Came to Power after Stalin’s Death. Led until 1964.

Met Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the author of Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.

Although Russia still oppressive, some reforms were clearly on the way…

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Russian novelist, whose work was suppressed while he lived in Russia.

Fierce critic of totalitarianism Brought worldwide attention (and acclaim)

for One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, based on his own experiences in the Soviet Union’s forced labor camp system under Stalin