Russian Revolution

When did the Russian Revolution take place?

• The Russian Revolution began during World War I. In 1917, Russia withdrew its forces from World War I to deal with the revolution that had begun at home.

What was the cause of the Russian Revolution?

• For years the czars of Russia ruled Russia and got wealthy and powerful.

• During World War I, the people of Russia revolted against the government because their basic needs were not being met.

How did the Russian Revolution take place?

The Russian Revolution consisted of two stages.

The first part, called the February Revolution, resulted in the overthrow of the czar. It was non-violent at first, but the revolution created chaos at home and on the warfront. The Russian army withdrew from World War I in 1917 as a result.

The second part, called the October Revolution, resulted in the first communist revolution of the 20th century. This was led by Vladimir Lenin and was based on the ideology of Karl Marx. This phase was much more violent.

How did the Russian Revolution contribute to instability in Europe

during and after World War I?

• Their exit from the war hurt the allies because they were a formidable force during the war.

• After the war, their change to communism led to the rise of the Soviet Union which was one of the participants in the cold war after World War II.