Download Causes of the Russian Revolution

Causes of the Russian Revolution
Background: The Russian Revolution was like a firecracker with a very long fuse! The explosion
came in 1917, yet the fuse had been burning for a long time!
I. Harsh Rule by the Czars
Alexander III (1881-1894)
Nicholas II (1894-1917)
1. Alexander III imposed harsh measures to ensure his autocracy:
a. people were labeled dangerous if they questioned his authority
or practiced a religion other than Russian Orthodox
b. published materials were censored
c. secret police were used
d. Russification – to help create a uniform Russian culture, he …
oppressed national groups; made Russian the official language
(forbade any other)
e. pogroms: persecution of Jews – looted and destroyed homes,
stores, and synagogues
1. What kind of ruler was Nicholas II?
Autocratic – continued harsh policies
2. What economic changes did he make?
• Boosted growth of heavy industry, particularly steel (increased
taxes and foreign investment)
•began working on Trans-Siberian Railway
II. Social Unrest
A. Orthodox clergy and the nobility controlled the land and power –maintained system of feudalism
B. Rigid class system
1. peasants too poor to buy the land they worked
2. many peasants in debt; difficult to feed their families
3. little or no social mobility
C. Ethnic minorities opposed Russification– did not want their native cultures destroyed
D. Industrial workers worked long hours, received low pay, and lived in slums; strikes periodically broke out
and labor unions are outlawed
The Revolutionary Movement Grows
A. As a result of continued problems with industrial working conditions,
followers of Karl Marx (father of Communism) began to grow under the
leadership of
Vladimir Lenin
• his followers were known as the
Bolsheviks
B. Belief = industrial workers (proletariat) would rise up and overthrow the czar and rule the country
C. Lenin was eventually exiled from Russia
III. Violence in Russia
A.
Revolution of 1905 (Bloody Sunday)
1. 200,000 workers and their families peacefully approached the czar’s winter palace in St.
Petersburg
2. carried a petition asking for better working conditions/personal freedoms
3. Nicholas II’s generals fired on the crowd
4. more than 1,000 were wounded and several hundred were killed
5. Russians quickly named the event “Bloody Sunday”
* Effects of Bloody Sunday
a. strikes and violence exploded across Russia
b. the czar lost people’s trust
B. October Manifesto
1. Czar Nicholas II promised to grant more rights such as the freedom of speech and the right to vote
2. set up an elected national legislature called the Duma
a. the Duma had limited power and, within ten weeks, Nicholas II abolished it
IV. World War I
A. 1914 – Nicholas II entered Russia into WWI
B. Russia was unprepared to handle the economic and military costs
C. revealed the weaknesses of czarist rule and military leadership and caused a nationwide food
shortage
FINAL EVENTS BEFORE THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
March Revolution – 1917
*End of Czar’s Rule*
A. Low morale, military defeats, and food shortages spark a revolt in St. Petersburg
1. nearly 200,000 workers revolted demanding bread, fuel, and housing
B. The Czar’s soldiers refused to fire on the protestors and instead joined the revolt
C. As a result, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate in March, 1917 (later exiled and executed)
Temporary Government Created
A. the Duma created a provisional (temporary) government headed by Alexander Kerensky
1. Problems continued
a. Russia continued in WWI angering many
b. peasants and city workers continued to demand change
2. Socialist revolutionaries created Soviets - local councils consisting of workers, peasants, and
Soldiers
*As time progressed, these continued problems and push for change eventually led to the ….
Bolshevik (Russian) Revolution
VII. The Bolshevik Revolution (Russian Revolution) – November 1917
A. April, 1917 - Vladimir Lenin returns to Russia from exile
B. Lenin promised “PEACE, LAND, BREAD” - gained widespread support
C. November 1917 – Bolshevik Red Guards overthrew the provisional government (bloodless overthrow)
“Peace, Land, Bread!”
Lenin Takes Charge
Evaluate the causes of the Russian Revolution.
*Be sure to justify your answers!!
1. What cause do you think was most important in bringing about the March Revolution (forcing the czar to
abdicate)?
2. Why was Vladimir Lenin able to attract so many followers to start the Bolshevik Revolution?