Main Idea: Long-term social unrest in Russia erupted in
revolution, ushering in the first Communist government. Lenin seizes power and
launches major economic and political reforms.
I.
Russian Revolutions
A.
Alexander III
1.
1881-succeeded his father (assassinated); halted all
reforms
2.
Control: censorship codes; secret police; political
prisoners exiled to Siberia; Russia only official language; persecuted Jews
a
Pogroms: organized violence against Jews
1.
1894-refused to surrender any power
2.
Rapid industrialization-discontented people, problems,
unions outlawed yet strikes still occurred
3.
Revolutionary movements followed Marx ideas—dictatorship of
the proletariat; 1903 group splits
a
Mensheviks
b
Bolsheviks—Lenin, fled to western Europe
1.
Russo-Japanese War—competed for control of Korea &
Manchuria, defeated
2.
Bloody Sunday: Revolution of 1905—disgruntled workers &
families petitioned at the Winter Palace (St. Petersburg); soldiers fired on
crowd, provoked a wave of strikes
a
Duma (parliament) created & quickly dissolved
3.
WWI—revealed weaknesses of czarist rule & military
leadership
4.
Art: merchant sponsored
a
Rasputin: opportunist; made key political decisions,
corrupt, opposed reforms
b
Soldiers mutinied, deserted, ignored orders
D.
March Revolution 1917: started by women textile workers;
riots erupted, soldiers joined marches
1.
Czar abdicates—later entire Romanov family is
executed
2.
Provisional gov't created—Alexander Kerensky
a
Soviets: local councils consisting of workers, peasants,
soldiers
b
Lenin returns with German help
1.
Lenin’s slogan: “Peace, land, and Bread”
2.
Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace—took control
3.
Changes: all farmland distributed among the peasants;
factory control to workers; signed truce with Germany then peace treaty
(Brest-Litovsk)—lost land angered Russians
4.
Civil War 1918-1920: White Army vs. Red Army— Leon Trotsky
a
3 yrs & 15 million people later…opposition crushed