Russian Revolution 1917

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Russian Revolution 1917
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Political Causes

• The Romanov Czars

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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
I. The Background - The Romanovs ruled Russia
for over THREE centuries - All absolutist
kings - Ivan the Terrible, Peter the
Great, Nicholas I, Alexander I, Alexander II
and Alexander III
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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
II. Alexander III - wanted to establish a
uniform Russian culture he oppressed
other national groups A) Strict measures
against Jews and Polish peasants 1.
Made Russian the official language
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ALEXANDER III
2. Forbade the use of minority languages
in schools 3. Extremely punitive against the
Jews - couldnt buy land OR live
amongst other Russians - organized violence
against Jews (calledpogroms) - no
protection under the law
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An American Tail About Russian Migration to
NYC!!!
Did you know that Fivel was a little Jewish mouse
from Russia? Watch the clipthe cats are the
Russians.
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CZAR NICHOLAS II - AN ERROR MADE !!!
III. Nicholas Maintains the Status Quo A) He
wanted to preserve the legacy of Czarist
Russia - refused to bend to his changing
times (also preoccupied with family
issues) B) Economic Changes - Nicholas helped
Russia catch up to its peers with the
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NICHOLASS ECONOMIC PLAN
- growth of heavy industry, particularly
steel - also the commisioning of the Trans
Siberian Railway - the worlds longest
continuous rail line.
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Czar Nicholass Ill Fated Reign!

• Peasants want land
• Nobles unhappy
• No problems have been solved since Revolution of
  1905
• Russians want a new government
• Watch the CLIP of Czar
• Nicholas II

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Short Term Problems

• Germans destroyed them in battle
• People have no faith, blame Czar for the war
• Government has a monopoly on food (military)
• All industry going towards war
• Peasants hoarding food, people starving

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Other Problems
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The Revolution Begins

• The Evils of Capitalism

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THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION
IV. The Bolsheviks Revolution A)
Industrialism Leads to Unrest - the workers
were poorly paid - unions were outlawed -
the gap between the rich and the poor
was enormous - In 1917, the moderates took
control by setting up a Provisional
Government and
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Bolshevik Revolution

• First in February 1917, workers strike
• Czar is overthrown
• Duma (Russian legislature) takes over Russia
• Second in October 1917
• Theme Peace, Land, and Bread

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THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION
-replacing Czar Nicholas II - Nicholas II had
abdicated the throne when his troops no
longer followed his orders a) they didnt ease
the needs of the peasants b) they didnt
pull out of WWI
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THE BOLSHEVIKS REVOLUTION
B) The October Revolution - They intended to
create a Marxist or Communist State - the
Bolsheviks and Russian peasantry
overthrew the Provisional Government - Led
by Vladimir Lenin -became the 1st dictator of
Russia
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Vladimir Lenin

• Leader of the Bolshevik party
• Socialist Revolutionaries
• Claims he will save Russia!
• He arrests the Duma and takes control of Russia
• Russians unhappy, they dont want communism

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New Government

• Communism

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THE NEW COMMUNIST STATE
V. New Rules for All Russian Citizens - Lenin
felt that the officials of the Russian
government knew what was best for the
people - Believed that strong leadership
was necessary to secure natural rights
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Russian Civil War

• From 1918-1920
• Bolsheviks (Reds) vs. Mensheviks (Whites)
• 15 million Russians were killed
• Countries (like the U.S.) sent troops and
  supplies to the White army to stop communism
• Bolsheviks won, Lenin becomes dictator

Watch the clip linked to The picture
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ADDITIONAL READINGS
- Read your SOL Review additional Readings and
Russo-Japanese War