The Road to the Russian RevolutionThe Road to the

Russian Revolution

By:Ms. Valdner & Mr. Patten

Global History IIMepham High School

By:Ms. Valdner & Mr. Patten

Global History IIMepham High School

The Beginning of the End1861 to 1905

The Beginning of the End1861 to 1905

The Life of a SerfThe Life of a Serf

Serfs [an agricultural worker] in Russia were on the bottom rung of the social ladder.

They worked the land and produced the food for the giant country.

Very harsh life average age of 35.

Out dated techniques, short growing season, cold climate, cruel landlords, resulted in poverty for serfs

Serfs [an agricultural worker] in Russia were on the bottom rung of the social ladder.

They worked the land and produced the food for the giant country.

Very harsh life average age of 35.

Out dated techniques, short growing season, cold climate, cruel landlords, resulted in poverty for serfs

What was life like for the serfs?

What was life like for the serfs?

Tsar Alexander IITsar Alexander II

“It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to await the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below.”-Tsar Alexander II

to Moscow nobility, March 1856

“It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to await the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below.”-Tsar Alexander II

to Moscow nobility, March 1856

The “Tsar Liberator”The “Tsar Liberator”

Russia was experiencing economic pressure, social unrest, and falling behind Western Nations.

Russia’s Step for Modernization by Alexander II

Eliminate the system of serfdom Jury trials and relaxed censorship lawsCreated zemstvos [local elected assemblies] to

address local issues such as taxation and education Increased industrial productionExpanded transportation such as the railroad

Russia was experiencing economic pressure, social unrest, and falling behind Western Nations.

Russia’s Step for Modernization by Alexander II

Eliminate the system of serfdom Jury trials and relaxed censorship lawsCreated zemstvos [local elected assemblies] to

address local issues such as taxation and education Increased industrial productionExpanded transportation such as the railroad

What steps did Alexander II take to modernize Russia?

What steps did Alexander II take to modernize Russia?In your opinion, do you think

that Alexander’s reforms were successful? Why or why not?

In your opinion, do you think that Alexander’s reforms were successful? Why or why not?

Tsar Alexander IIITsar Alexander III

Alexander III believed that western ideals were incompatible with “the very nature of Russian character.”

Alexander III believed that western ideals were incompatible with “the very nature of Russian character.”

The Tsar Takes a Step Back

The Tsar Takes a Step Back

Alexander III (1881-1894) wanted nothing to do with reforms.

Called for a policy known as “Russification,” which attempted to assimilate all non-Russian people.

Rigid censorship was imposed on people.

Secret police looked for those suspected of revolutionary ideas.

Alexander III (1881-1894) wanted nothing to do with reforms.

Called for a policy known as “Russification,” which attempted to assimilate all non-Russian people.

Rigid censorship was imposed on people.

Secret police looked for those suspected of revolutionary ideas.

What steps did Alexander III take to roll

back his father’s reforms in Russia?

What steps did Alexander III take to roll

back his father’s reforms in Russia?As a result, what feelings do you think arise in the people

of Russia?

As a result, what feelings do you think arise in the people

of Russia?

Karl MarxKarl Marx

Struggle Between Social Classes

The Haves vs.

the Have Nots

Workers of the World Unite! Classless

Society

The Ideas of Karl MarxThe Ideas of Karl Marx

“We seized [take hold of] upon Marxism because we were attracted by its economic optimism [getting better], that Marxism was developing a new economy, with new social forces (including the lower working class) which would certainly sweep away the autocratic regime [the tsars rule]. With the optimism [positive feelings] of youth we had been searching for a formula that offered hope, and we found it in Marxism.”

- Nikolai Valentinov

“We seized [take hold of] upon Marxism because we were attracted by its economic optimism [getting better], that Marxism was developing a new economy, with new social forces (including the lower working class) which would certainly sweep away the autocratic regime [the tsars rule]. With the optimism [positive feelings] of youth we had been searching for a formula that offered hope, and we found it in Marxism.”

- Nikolai Valentinov

In 1891, why did the ideas of Karl Marx

appeal to so many in Russia?

In 1891, why did the ideas of Karl Marx

appeal to so many in Russia?

Difficult Times for Nicholas II

Difficult Times for Nicholas II

“The tragic aspect of the situation is that the Tsar is living in an utter fool’s paradise, thinking that He is as strong and all-powerful as before.”

-From the diary of an advisor to the tsar,

October 1, 1905

“The tragic aspect of the situation is that the Tsar is living in an utter fool’s paradise, thinking that He is as strong and all-powerful as before.”

-From the diary of an advisor to the tsar,

October 1, 1905

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Conflict over Manchuria & Korea

Nicholas II thought war with Japan would be easy

Russia possessed outdated weapons & was poorly supplied

Japan modernized (Mejii Restoration)

Clear defeat for Russia

Conflict over Manchuria & Korea

Nicholas II thought war with Japan would be easy

Russia possessed outdated weapons & was poorly supplied

Japan modernized (Mejii Restoration)

Clear defeat for Russia

How did the war with Japan increase tension

in Russia?

How did the war with Japan increase tension

in Russia?

“Bloody Sunday”“Bloody Sunday”

January 9, 1905“I saw these looks of

hatred and vengeance on literally every face; old and young, men and women. The revolution had been truly born, and it had been born in the very core, in the very bowels of the people.”

-Bolshevik Martyn Liadov

January 9, 1905“I saw these looks of

hatred and vengeance on literally every face; old and young, men and women. The revolution had been truly born, and it had been born in the very core, in the very bowels of the people.”

-Bolshevik Martyn Liadov

Nicholas II Attempts at Reforms

Nicholas II Attempts at Reforms

“The slogan of “freedom” must become the slogan of government activity. There is no other way of saving the state…The advance of human progress is unstoppable. The idea of human freedom will triumph, if not by way of reform, than by way of revolution.”

Count Sergei Witte

“The slogan of “freedom” must become the slogan of government activity. There is no other way of saving the state…The advance of human progress is unstoppable. The idea of human freedom will triumph, if not by way of reform, than by way of revolution.”

Count Sergei Witte

The October ManifestoExpanded civil

libertiesA limited

monarchyUniversal suffrageTrade union &

political parties legalized

The October ManifestoExpanded civil

libertiesA limited

monarchyUniversal suffrageTrade union &

political parties legalized

How did Tsar Nicholas II attempt to deal with the

situation in Russia?

How did Tsar Nicholas II attempt to deal with the

situation in Russia?

The Rise of Political Groups

The Rise of Political Groups

Liberals: Favored evolutionary change towards a more Western European system of government.

Two main Liberal parties:KadetsOctobrists

Liberals: Favored evolutionary change towards a more Western European system of government.

Two main Liberal parties:KadetsOctobrists

Socialists: They favored a revolutionary remaking of Russian society.

Two main Socialist parties:Social DemocratsSocial

Revolutionaries

Socialists: They favored a revolutionary remaking of Russian society.

Two main Socialist parties:Social DemocratsSocial

Revolutionaries

Mensheviks vs. BolsheviksMensheviks vs. Bolsheviks

The Mensheviks were Marxists.

Believed in a patient approach to political change.

Socialism in Russia only after it had been achieved in the West.

The Menshevik’s goal was to pave the way for revolution by organizing the workers toward class awareness

The Mensheviks were Marxists.

Believed in a patient approach to political change.

Socialism in Russia only after it had been achieved in the West.

The Menshevik’s goal was to pave the way for revolution by organizing the workers toward class awareness

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, were Marxists who favored a socialist party that was directed by a small elite.

Only militant revolutionaries could prevail then the masses could come into the party.

Workers needed the Bolshevik leaders to guide their work in the street and the factories.

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, were Marxists who favored a socialist party that was directed by a small elite.

Only militant revolutionaries could prevail then the masses could come into the party.

Workers needed the Bolshevik leaders to guide their work in the street and the factories.

Who were the major political groups in Russia

& what were their beliefs for the future of

Russia?

Who were the major political groups in Russia

& what were their beliefs for the future of

Russia?

“We Can No Longer Live Like This”

“We Can No Longer Live Like This”

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Russian peasants experienced:Food shortagesRigid social classesCorrupt

governmentFew factories Poverty Lack of clothes &

food

Russian peasants experienced:Food shortagesRigid social classesCorrupt

governmentFew factories Poverty Lack of clothes &

food

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Men & Women stand in line to collect their bread

What were some of the major problems that a

Russian peasant experienced?

What were some of the major problems that a

Russian peasant experienced?

How could this problems lead to unrest in Russia?

How could this problems lead to unrest in Russia?

Russia Enters the World War in August 1914

Russia Enters the World War in August 1914

“Unarmed men had to be sent into the trenches to wait till their comrades were killed or wounded and their rifles become available”

-Report from a British officer in Russia

“Unarmed men had to be sent into the trenches to wait till their comrades were killed or wounded and their rifles become available”

-Report from a British officer in Russia

The Effect of War on Russia

The Effect of War on Russia

Russia leaves the war in late 1916

Heavy losses of men 3.6 million dead or

wounded 2.1 prisoner of war

Weapon shortages Increased hunger &

refugees Spending money, but

losing the war

Russia leaves the war in late 1916

Heavy losses of men 3.6 million dead or

wounded 2.1 prisoner of war

Weapon shortages Increased hunger &

refugees Spending money, but

losing the war

How did World War I affect Russia?

How did World War I affect Russia?

The Monarchy Self-Destructs

The Monarchy Self-Destructs

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Nicholas’s wife seeks help from Rasputin.

A peasant “holy man” semi-literate

Bragged about control of governmental offices & church

Corrupt, received bribes, & sexual favors

He damaged the monarchy

Nicholas’s wife seeks help from Rasputin.

A peasant “holy man” semi-literate

Bragged about control of governmental offices & church

Corrupt, received bribes, & sexual favors

He damaged the monarchy

Who was Rasputin?Who was Rasputin?

The 1917 Revolution Begins

The 1917 Revolution Begins

“Comrades, if we cannot get a loaf of bread for ourselves in a righteous way, then we must do everything: we must go ahead and solve our problems by force…Comrades, arm yourselves with everything possible-bolts, screws, rocks, and go out of the factory and start smashing the first shops you find.”

-A Striker

“Comrades, if we cannot get a loaf of bread for ourselves in a righteous way, then we must do everything: we must go ahead and solve our problems by force…Comrades, arm yourselves with everything possible-bolts, screws, rocks, and go out of the factory and start smashing the first shops you find.”

-A Striker

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The Revolution of 1917The Revolution of 1917

Russia Debates Its FutureRussia Debates Its Future

“ A miracle has happened, and we may expect more miracles…almost anything might happen.”

-March 23, 1917 poet Alexander Blok

“ A miracle has happened, and we may expect more miracles…almost anything might happen.”

-March 23, 1917 poet Alexander Blok

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What do you think the future holds for Russia?What do you think the future holds for Russia?