The Fall of Czarist Russia

RASPUTIN DESTROYED THE ROMANOVS

March 1917

The last Czar of Russia, Nicholas II abdicated his throne.

This ended a 300+ year reign of the Romanov Dynasty.

March – November 1917Provisional Government established under Alexander Kerensky.

“soviets” are established throughout Russia.

Soviet = local council of workers, peasants, and soldiers.

Nov. 1917 – Bolshevik Revolution

War communism – all major industries owned by the State, everyone between the ages of 16-50 were required to have a job.

March 1918 – Treaty of Brest-LitovskRussian participation in WWI was ended

Vladimir Lenin

1918-1920 = Russian Civil War

Red Army – led by Leon Trotsky - is the pro-communist (Bolshevik) forces. They prevail.

The White Army which was supported by other countries including the USA loses the Civil War.

REDS VS.

WHITES

From 1914-1920World War IRevolutions

Russian Civil WarKill about 27 MILLION Russians

Lenin in Power• 1921 – Lenin began the New Economic Policy

(NEP) which was actually small scale capitalism• 1922 – Lenin officially changes the name of the

country to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

• 1924 – Lenin died and his two henchmen, Trotsky and Stalin battle for power.

Struggle for Power

Leon Trotsky Joseph StalinTake That You Filthy Animal!!!

By 1928 – Stalin has firm control

• 1928 – Stalin introduced the 1st of his “Five Year Plans”

• 1932 – Stalin implements a “terror famine” in the Ukraine which killed more than 5 million peasants

• 1934 – Stalin began the purge of the Communist Party of all potential threats to his authority.

U.S.S.R.