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World History
Unit 6:
Russian Revolution & Totalitarianism
1. How did World War I affect the Russian Revolution?
WWI caused the Russian (Bolshevik) Revolution. The Czar and provisional government would not get out
WWI so the communists revolted with the promise to end Russian participation in the war.
2. How did the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War affect the Russian Czar?
The defeat of the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War (1904) weakened the Czar and his government
leading to revolts such as in 1905.
3. What were the major causes of the Russian Revolution?
Russian losses during WWI. Food shortages. Discontent with the government.
4. Why did the Bolshevik leaders seek peace with Germany in 1917?
Bolsheviks (Lenin) needed to fight enemies inside of Russia (i.e. Mensheviks).
5. Why did the Russian peasants support the Bolsheviks in 1917?
Russian peasants were starving and dying because of WWI and the Bolsheviks promised to get out of the
war help with land and food.
6. What was the slogan of the Bolshevik Revolution?
“Peace, land, and bread!”
7. Why was the Communist Government in Russia a contradiction to Marxist theory?
Marxist theory believes that in true communism there is no government.
8. What techniques did both Lenin and Stalin use to maintain power?
Purges, public trials, secret police (CHEKA). Other totalitarian methods of enforcement.
9. What was Stalin’s goal when the introduced the Purges and public trials of his former supporters in the
1930’s?
Eliminate opposition to his rule. Attack dissidents (those opposed to the Bolshevik government)
10. What did Stalin’s do to stay in power in the Soviet Union?
Everything…millions are killed, imprisoned, terrorized, or threatened by the purges and secret police by
Stalin’s government.
11. What were the results of Stalin’s policy of collectivization of agriculture?
Food shortages, famine, and death (in the millions). Kulaks (wealthy peasants) are also targeted and killed.
12. What was the purpose of Stalin’s Five Year Plan?
To modernize the Soviet Union and to industrialize. Communist countries like the USSR have “command
economies” that are centrally planned by the government. The economy is controlled by the communist
government…it is not a free market (like in the US).
13. Why did Great Britain adopt a policy of appeasement with Germany in the 1930’?
Great Britain (and France) did not want to fight with Germany. Some call it war fatigue. So when Hitler
started to break the rules of the Treaty of Versailles, Great Britain did not punish Germany.
14. What is wrong with the policy of appeasement?
The policy of appeasement only made Hitler (the bully) more and more aggressive. Leader to bigger and
bigger problems for Great Britain and France.
15. What resulted from the political confusion and instability in Europe in the period between WWI and WWII?
The rise of totalitarian governments, for example in Spain, Italy, and Germany.
16. How were Japan, Germany and Italy similar in their policies during the 30’s and 40’s?
They all followed imperialist policies.
17. Which idea was included in the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles to show the intent of the allies to
punish the Central Powers for their role in World War I?
War-Guilt Clause - Germany had to take all the blame for WWI
War Reparations – Germany had to pay for the cost of the war for Great Britain and France.
18. What were some of the reasons that the Nazi programs and policies of the early 1930’s appealed to many
people in Germany?
Nazis were highly nationalistic. They promised to rebuild Germany, put people to work, rebuild the
military. Replace the weak Weimar Republic.
19. How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to the rise of fascism in Germany?
Many of the clauses (parts) of the treaty made countries like Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union very
angry and frustrated. They had lost territory, had to pay damages, lost colonies, and had weak
governments forced on them by the winners.
20. Why did democratic governments fail in many European nations after WWI?
Those countries lacked a democratic tradition. They were not experienced with democracy.
21. How did Adolph Hitler rise to power in Germany?
Hitler’s (and the Nazi’s) popularity rose as the Great Depression got worse. As unemployment in Germany
increased, so did Hitler’s popularity.
22. The Nazi party received support from Germany people because they made what promises?
See # 18.
23. Fascism in Europe in the 1920’s and 1930’s best describes what kind of government system?
Aggressive military, imperialistic, nationalistic, one-party dictatorship.
Anti-democratic, rejected the Enlightenment’s emphasis on logic and reason.
24. During the 1930’s, Japan’s foreign policy was based on what foreign policy strategy?
Imperialism
25. Why did Japan seek an empire in the 1930’s?
Need for natural resources. It was an island nation that had industrialized.
Japan needed natural resources for its factories and more room for a growing population to live.
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Extra Notes
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Revolution of 1917 resulted in the Czar abdicating (stepping down) and the creation of the provisional
government.
Bolsheviks
Marxist (Communist) revolutionaries
Mensheviks
Moderate Communists
Marxism
=
Totalitarianism
Communism
Radical
“Reds”
“Whites”
(is not like Fascism! The two were enemies)
see page 441
Both communism and Marxism can be totalitarian.
It has to do with controlling all aspects of society…not the ideology behind it.
Authoritarianism
A type of government. It is very controlling but not as much as totalitarianism.
Japan is an example of authoritarianism.
Nazism
German fascism
November Revolution sometimes referred to as the October Revolution (in 1917)