The Fall of Russia;The Fall of Russia;

Why was there a Communist revolution

in Russia in 1917?

1905 revolution1905 revolution

Reforms:Reforms:-October Manifesto 1905: civil liberties, -October Manifesto 1905: civil liberties,

legislative Duma, broadened electoratelegislative Duma, broadened electorate

-1906 Fundamental Laws: Tsar has power -1906 Fundamental Laws: Tsar has power over all else, Duma’s reforms are over all else, Duma’s reforms are rejectedrejected

-BUT - Social reforms (land reform for -BUT - Social reforms (land reform for peasants; unions permitted)peasants; unions permitted)

Factors that led to theCommunist revolution

in October 1917.

The weaknessof Tsar

Nicholas II

The discontent

of the peasants

The discontent

of the workers

February 1917 Revolution and rising Opposition parties

The failure of the

Duma

Russian failures in the First World

War

Failing Provisional

GovernmentRasputin and

scandal

Weakness of Tsar Weakness of Tsar Nicholas IINicholas II

Uses secret police, Okrana, to persecute opponents and enforce absolute rule.

Censorship of books & newspapers.

The Church supported the Tsar – the ‘Little Father of the Russian people’.

Nicholas II ruled a vast country that was very backwards in comparison to other countries.

The Tsar’s government was arbitrary and undemocratic - a major cause of the revolution.

So EXTENSIVE !!

Russian failures in the First World War Russian failures in the First World War

In the first few months of the First World War, Russia fought better than had been expected. Russian forces attacked Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1914.

In 1915, as troops faltered, Tsar Nicholas II assumed personal command of the Russian armed forces.

The Russian soldiers, poorly trained and equipped, lacking in basic items such as rifles and ammunition (because Russian industry could not sustain the need), suffered from lowering morale. Thousands of men deserted.

Without the support of the army, the Tsar’s position became increasingly precarious.

Failure of the DumaFailure of the Duma

1905 - Bloody Sunday occurs, Russia Sunday occurs, Russia loses the Russo-Japanese war, peasants are hungry, then the Potemkin Mutiny and strikes in the Russian cities; the Tsar is losing control.

In the “October Manifesto”, Nicholas II offers to call a Duma, or parliament, with free elections. This was accepted by the demonstrators.

When the Duma met, it began to criticise the Tsar and demanded changes. Nicholas II introduced the Fundamental Laws to regain authority. The Duma was dismissed multiple times and new elections, controlled by the Tsar, were called.

It became clear that the Duma would be shut down if it criticised the Tsar. As long as the Tsar had control of the army, his power could not be broken.

The discontent of the The discontent of the WorkersWorkers

‘The whole day we pour out our blood and sweat.

Every minute we are exposed to danger.’

Union leaflet 1898

The discontent of the PeasantsThe discontent of the Peasants

Russia was a rural society with over 90% of the people being poor peasants.

In contrast, a small number of upper-class people held most of the wealth and power. This aristocracy had large town houses and country estates.

Very often the peasants do not have enough allotment land. They cannot feed themselves, clothe themselves,

heat their homes, keep their tools and livestock, secure seed for

sowing and lastly pay their taxes.Police report into country conditions, 1905

Rasputin and ScandalRasputin and Scandal

While Tsar Nicholas II was absent commanding Russian forces during the First World War, he left the day to day running of Russia in the control of his wife Tsarina Alexandra.

Alexandra came increasingly under the influence of Siberian peasant, Gregori Rasputin, a ‘holy man’ who appeared to be able to heal the haemophilia of Prince Alexis, the heir to the throne.

Rasputin was often accused of using his power to win effective control of the Russian government.

Rasputin was seen by many as a “puppet master” controlling Nicholas

and Alexandra.

Rasputin dominating Russian Court

There lived a certain man in Russia long agoThere lived a certain man in Russia long agoHe was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glowHe was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glowMost people looked at him with terror and with fearMost people looked at him with terror and with fearBut to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dearBut to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dearHe could preach the bible like a preacherHe could preach the bible like a preacherFull of ecstacy and fireFull of ecstacy and fireBut he also was the kind of teacherBut he also was the kind of teacherWomen would desireWomen would desire

RA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINLover of the Russian queenLover of the Russian queenThere was a cat that really was goneThere was a cat that really was goneRA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINRussia's greatest love machineRussia's greatest love machineIt was a shame how he carried onIt was a shame how he carried on

He ruled the Russian land and never mind the czarHe ruled the Russian land and never mind the czarBut the kasachok he danced really wunderbarBut the kasachok he danced really wunderbarIn all affairs of state he was the man to pleaseIn all affairs of state he was the man to pleaseBut he was real great when he had a girl to squeezeBut he was real great when he had a girl to squeezeFor the queen he was no wheeler dealerFor the queen he was no wheeler dealerThough she'd heard the things he'd doneThough she'd heard the things he'd doneShe believed he was a holy healerShe believed he was a holy healerWho would heal her sonWho would heal her son

(Spoken:)(Spoken:)But when his drinking and lusting and his hungerBut when his drinking and lusting and his hungerfor power became known to more and more people,for power became known to more and more people,the demands to do something about this outrageousthe demands to do something about this outrageousman became louder and louder.man became louder and louder.

"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemiesBut the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charmsNo doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charmsThough he was a brute they just fell into his armsThough he was a brute they just fell into his armsThen one night some men of higher standingThen one night some men of higher standingSet a trap, they're not to blameSet a trap, they're not to blame"Come to visit us" they kept demanding"Come to visit us" they kept demandingAnd he really cameAnd he really came

RA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINLover of the Russian queenLover of the Russian queenThey put some poison into his wineThey put some poison into his wineRA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINRussia's greatest love machineRussia's greatest love machineHe drank it all and he said "I feel fine"He drank it all and he said "I feel fine"

RA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINLover of the Russian queenLover of the Russian queenThey didn't quit, they wanted his headThey didn't quit, they wanted his headRA RA RASPUTINRA RA RASPUTINRussia's greatest love machineRussia's greatest love machineAnd so they shot him till he was deadAnd so they shot him till he was dead

(Spoken:) Oh, those Russians... (Spoken:) Oh, those Russians... By: Boney M

The Death of Rasputin

The opposition of the Communists

Many middle-class Liberals and Social Revolutionaries (who supported the peasants) opposed the rule of the Tsar, but the most revolutionary were the Social Democrats or Communists.

The Communists believed in the ideas of Karl Marx and felt the government needed to be overthrown.

The Russian Communists were divided into the Bolsheviks led by Lenin and the Mensheviks led by Trotsky. Lenin believed that the small party of Bolsheviks should seize power and control Russia on behalf of the people. Before 1917 Lenin and many of the other Communist leaders were in exile abroad, plotting to bring about a revolution in Russia

The February Revolution 1917

Russia fared so badly in the First World War there was a spontaneous uprising against the Tsar in February 1917.

This was sparked off by food riots, poor working conditions and the failure to win the war. The Russian army refused to shoot at the demonstrators and joined forces with them.

Lenin, in exile in Switzerland, raced to Petrograd so that he could attempt to seize control of the revolution.

Abdication of Nikolai II, March 15, 1917Abdication of Nikolai II, March 15, 1917 By the Grace of God, We, Nikolai II, Emperor of All the Russias, Tsar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and so forth, to all our faithful subjects be it known:In the days of a great struggle against a foreign enemy who has been endeavouring for three years to enslave our country, it pleased God to send Russia a further painful trial.

Internal troubles threatened to have a fatal effect on the further progress of this obstinate war. The destinies of Russia, the honour of her heroic Army, the happiness of the people, and the whole future of our beloved country demand that the war should be conducted at all costs to a victorious end.

[…]

In these decisive days in the life of Russia we have thought that we owed to our people the close union and organisation of all its forces for the realisation of a rapid victory; […]we have recognized that it is for the good of the country that we should abdicate the Crown of the Russian State and lay down the Supreme Power.

[…] we bequeath our heritage to our brother, the Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, with our blessing for the future of the Throne of the Russian State.

We bequeath it our brother to govern in full union with the national representatives sitting in the Legislative Institutions, […]

We call upon all faithful sons of our native land to fulfil their sacred and patriotic duty of obeying the Tsar at the painful moment of national trial and to aid them, together with the representatives of the nation, to conduct the Russian State in the way of prosperity and glory.

May God help Russia.

Why? Who/what is to blame?Why? Who/what is to blame?

War?War?

Have’s and Have Not’s…Have’s and Have Not’s…

Social discontents?Social discontents?

May Day 1917

Opposition parties and leaders?Opposition parties and leaders?– April Theses – Lenin and Bolsheviks: “Bread, Peace, April Theses – Lenin and Bolsheviks: “Bread, Peace,

Land”Land”– Germans had secretly helped smuggle Lenin back into Germans had secretly helped smuggle Lenin back into

RussiaRussia

Lenin

Provisional GovernmentProvisional Government

Established in March – Kerensky and Established in March – Kerensky and Lvov take control of country until new Lvov take control of country until new government structure is decided upongovernment structure is decided upon

July Days

• Bolsheviks attempt a coup – it fails and Provisional Govt stays in power. Lenin exiled again!

Kornilov AffairKornilov Affair

General Kornilov (Commander in Chief General Kornilov (Commander in Chief of Army) tries to overthrow Provisional of Army) tries to overthrow Provisional Gov’t in an attempt to bring in Gov’t in an attempt to bring in Conservative, Authoritative order.Conservative, Authoritative order.

Kerensky recruits Bolsheviks for help, Kerensky recruits Bolsheviks for help, liberating those who are imprisoned and liberating those who are imprisoned and providing them with weapons… uh oh!!providing them with weapons… uh oh!!

Kornilov is removed from power and Kornilov is removed from power and imprisoned imprisoned

October RevolutionOctober Revolution

First the Bolsheviks win the majority First the Bolsheviks win the majority of seats in the Petrograd Soviet, of seats in the Petrograd Soviet, Lenin returnsLenin returns

Lenin and Red Guards seize control, Lenin and Red Guards seize control, Kerensky flees, Petrograd and Kerensky flees, Petrograd and Moscow Communists are in controlMoscow Communists are in control

III. The Bolsheviks’ dilemmaIII. The Bolsheviks’ dilemma

Coming to power: draw support Coming to power: draw support from popular opinion and valuesfrom popular opinion and values

In power, having to contend with In power, having to contend with – Ideas and values about the revolutionIdeas and values about the revolution

– Class suspicion of all elitesClass suspicion of all elites

– State must serve interests State must serve interests

““Days of monstrous contradiction”Days of monstrous contradiction”

Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)

Early Bolshevik political practice:Early Bolshevik political practice: Centralizing and authoritarian Centralizing and authoritarian

policiespolicies– One-party governmentOne-party government– Press control Press control – ChekaCheka (Extraordinary Commission for (Extraordinary Commission for

the Struggle with Counterrevolution, the Struggle with Counterrevolution, Sabotage, and Speculation) Sabotage, and Speculation)

– Controlling economy and labourControlling economy and labour– Treaty of Brest-LitovskTreaty of Brest-Litovsk

Civil War Civil War

(1918-1920) (1918-1920)

How did How did Lenin Lenin

impose impose Communist Communist control in control in

Russia Russia between between

1917-1924?1917-1924?

•The abandonment of the Constituent Assembly 1917

•The Cheka (or secret police)

•The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918

•The Civil War 1918-1921

•The execution of Tsar Nicholas II July 1918