Lesson 5: Focal point

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Lesson 5 Focal point We will learn about the
sequence of events that led to Russias
withdrawal from their alliance with the Entente
Powers
Do Now List three examples of how a country is suffering through a bad economy.
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Demise of Russian economy during World War I
(1914-1917)

• The Russian economy was already weak entering
  World War I.
• Russian was unable to keep up with paying for the
  war effort, causing the economy to weaken
  dramatically.
• The Russian government (led by Czar Nicholas)
  began printing millions of roubles (Russian
  currency) to pay for the war causing massive
  inflation.
• How can inflation have a negative impact on the
  economy?

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Russian Revolutions
First Russian Revolution (February
Revolution)
February 1917 Due to terrible conditions in
Russia including extreme food shortages forced
Czar Nicholas II to abdicate (give up) his
autocratic (single rule) power. A temporary or
provisional government was set up.
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OCTOBER REVOLUTION 1917

• Communism a theory that supports the
  elimination of private property and the equal
  distribution of goods
• The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized
  power in Russia and began the communist
  revolution, overthrowing the provisional govt.

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RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM WWI

• July 1918 Lenin orders the assassination of Czar
  Nicholas, his family and his servants.
• The new Russian government signed the Treaty of
  Brest-Litovsk with Germany and dropped out of the
  war.

Russia is renamed the USSR Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (or Soviet Union)
1.How did Russias economic troubles lead to the
overthrow of the Russian czar and the creation of
new government? 2. Predict how does Russias
withdrawal from the Entante would have an impact
on the war?