THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION OVERVIEW PART 1

Mrs. Nicoloso

What was the Russian Revolution? The Russian Revolution occurred when

Russia’s political, economic and governmental system completely collapsed.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was rooted in a long history of oppression and abuse. That history, coupled with a weak-minded leader (Czar Nicholas II) and entry into bloody World War I, set the stage for major change.

In the Beginning…

Before Russia collapsed in 1917, the empire had been ruled by a single powerful family, the Romanovs, for 300 years. Russia was an autocracy- ruled by one absolute monarch called a czar.

Czar of Russia The czar made laws, commanded

armies, controlled the churches, factories, schools, railroads, universities and all of life was ruled by this one man.

The czar believed he was appointed by God as the unquestionable leader of Russia.

Until they were freed in 1861 by Czar Alexander II, the majority of Russians were serfs who worked on the land and could be bought or sold just like property. The end of serfdom was a major event in Russia, but was not enough for some.

How bad were the conditions?

The emancipation of the serfs in 1861 left the countryside in deep poverty.

Even after the serfs were freed, it was the czar and nobles who ruled Russia and owned most of the land and wealth. The average Russian remained poor. The Russian people wanted more, but change was not easy.

Children were forced into labor in factories and beaten.

Average salary was $2 a month for working 5 a.m. until 8 p.m., 70 hour weeks and in polluted factories. People would have to be on their hands and knees all day on cold cement or splintered wood.

No freedom of speech People who spoke out were “crushed brutally”

Life in Russia•Russia was behind in the Industrial Revolution; they still relied primarily on agriculture.•While the Czar, his family, and the nobility lived in luxury, most people lived in abject poverty. Families starved.•Lack of food provokes riots.•The ideals of communism are very appealing to many.•Two groups arise supporting Communism: the Mensheviks ("minority") and Bolsheviks ("majority”) Mensheviks were also in favor of Parliament government while the Bolsheviks wanted revolution.

Czar Nicholas II• Last Czar of Russia• Czar Nicholas involved Russia in

a war with Japan in hopes that it would raise Russia’s morale. He thought that if they won the war, people would be proud of Russia. Unfortunately, they lost.

• He exhausted nation’s economy by involving Russia in WWI.

• This left the Russian people poor and starving, but the Czar and his family lived comfortably.

Romanov Family

Czarina Alexandra• Czar Nicholas married a

woman who was not Russian, but German. Alexandra was viewed as overbearing and domineering.

• Superstitious•Disliked and distrusted by the Russian people

Family ProblemsThere's no doubt that Nicholas was a family man; yet even this got him into trouble. Too often, Nicholas would listen to the advice of his wife, Alexandra, over others.

The problem was that the people didn't trust her for she was German born, which became a major issue when Germany was Russia's enemy during World War I.

Listening to Bad Advice

• Nicholas' love for his children also became a problem when his only son, Alexis, was diagnosed with hemophilia. Worry about his son's health led Nicholas to trust a "holy man" called Rasputin, but whom others often referred to as "the Mad Monk."

• Nicholas and Alexandra both trusted Rasputin so much that Rasputin was soon influencing top political decisions. Both the Russian people and Russian nobles could not stand this. Even after Rasputin was eventually assassinated, Alexandra conducted séances in an attempt to communicate with the dead Rasputin.

The Discontent Begins to Show

When Nicholas II became czar in 1894, the Russian people were poised for conflict. With the majority of Russians still living in poverty with no legal way to improve their circumstances, it was nearly inevitable that something major was going to happen.

Peasant discontent due to the war, food reparations, and political groups set the stage for the event in January 1905, which would later be called “Bloody Sunday”.

“Bloody Sunday” 1905

On January 22, 1905, approximately 200,000 workers and their families, including children, followed Russian Orthodox priest, Georgy A. Gapon, in a protest. They were going to take their grievances straight to the czar at the Winter Palace.

To the crowd's great surprise, palace guards opened fire on them without provocation. About 300 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded.

Russian People Begin to Revolt

As the news of "Bloody Sunday" spread, the Russian people were horrified. They responded by striking, mutinying, and fighting in peasant uprisings. The first Russian Revolution of 1905 had begun.

Czar Makes Compromises

After several months of chaos, Czar Nicholas II tried to end the revolution by announcing the "October Manifesto," in which Nicholas made major compromises. The most significant of which were granting personal liberties and the creation of a duma (parliament).

Although these concessions were enough to appease the majority of the Russian people and ended the 1905 Russian Revolution, Nicholas II never meant to truly give up any of his power. Over the next several years, Nicholas undermined the power of the Duma and remained the absolute leader of Russia.

This might not have been so bad if Nicholas II had been a good leader. However, he most decidedly was not.

WORLD WAR I Already hugely disliked and considered weak

minded, Czar Nicholas II made a huge mistake in September 1915 -- he personally took command of Russia's troops in World War I. Granted, Russia was not doing well up to that point; however, that had more to do with bad infrastructure, food shortages, and poor organization than with incompetent generals.

Once Nicholas took over control of Russia's troops, he became personally liable for Russia's defeats in World War I, and there were many defeats.

By 1917, pretty much everyone wanted Czar Nicholas out.

The Women Start to Protest

Although many wanted a revolution, no one expected it to happen when it did and how it did. On Thursday, February 23, 1917, women workers in Petrograd left their factories and entered the streets to protest.

It was International Women's Day and the women of Russia were ready to be heard.

The Protests Escalate An estimated 90,000 women marched through

the streets, shouting "Bread" and "Down With the Autocracy!" and "Stop the War!" These women were tired, hungry, and angry. They worked long hours in miserable conditions in order to feed their families because their husbands and fathers were at the front, fighting in World War I. They wanted change. They weren't the only ones.

The following day, more than 150,000 men and women took to the streets to protest. Soon more people joined them and by Saturday, February 25, the city of Petrograd was basically shut down -- no one was working.

No More Monarchy Although there were a few incidents of police and

soldiers firing into the crowds, those groups soon mutinied and joined the protesters.

Czar Nicholas II, who was not in Petrograd during the revolution, heard reports of the protests but did not take them seriously.

By March 1, it was obvious to everyone except the czar himself that the czar's rule was over. On March 2, Czar Nicholas II abdicates and includes his son. The following day, Nicholas' brother, Mikhail announced his refusal to accept the throne. A Provisional Government formed.

Without a monarchy, the question remained as to who would next lead the country.