History ( WW I, Russian Revolution and the rise of fascism in Germany)
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TheRussianRevolution.pptxI. Russia as Traditional Society
Ruled by hereditary monarch: Tsar Nicolas II; Romanov family
Tradition of autocracy: rule by one
Small land holding aristocracy
Majority are peasants
Russia behind politically, economically
1905—Duma created; comprised of loyal and wealthy
Attempt to create industrialization through autocracy
II. Early 20th Century Russia: Social and Political Discontent
Industrialize by bringing in foreign investment
Fast, influx of best technology
But leads to popular discontent
85% of peasants own half of land; 3% of nobles own other half
Peasant land hunger; Miserable working conditions
No political remedy: absolutism, no constitution, no real parliament, no democracy, no real reform,
Worker strikes; radicalization of unions; use of troops to quell discontent
Russian troops firing on Russian people to protect interests of foreigners
No political remedy—violence as means to change
Role of World War I
4 million Russians conscripted
Wages fixed, strikes outlawed, real wages fall 15% to 45%
Bolsheviks Party outlawed but continue agitation
Food shortages, rationing, prohibition of alcohol
Military defeats and stalemates
February 1917: Tsar Nicholas at Front
Coldest winter in decades
Massive food and fuel shortages
670,000 strikes across Russia, mutinies, civil unrest in capital
“Bread, Peace, Land”
Police fire on crowds, the people shoot back
Who is to blame? Nicholas II abdicates
Provisional Government
Attempt to create new, constitutional, democratic government; enact reforms
The work of liberals in Duma; members of middle class
Just as unpopular as tsar; unable to restore order; insisted on continuing World War I
Returning soldiers and workers formed soviets (councils) who would govern local affairs and form new government; rival to Provisional Government
Enter Lenin
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov
Child of middle class; early revolutionary; conspired to kill tsar and exiled in 1900
Interpreter of Karl Marx
Hoped to bring revolution from top down; short circuit process to go feudalism to communism
Nationalization of land
Single national bank
Create the world’s first Marxist state
Returns in April 1917 to undermine Provisional Government
The October Revolution
Lenin agitates for armed takeover; soviets have right to takeover
Peasants want land
Soldiers want peace
Workers demands: 8 hour workday, higher wages, price controls, worker management of industry
Provisional government tells all to wait
October 1917: soldiers loyal to Lenin seize Petrograd
Soviets purged of moderates; loyal to Lenin and committed to revolution
Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government; establish new state to be led by Communist Party
Withdraw from World War I in March 1918; Romanov family executed in July 1918
Revolution in Russia
Crisis of World War I
Futility of Provisional Government
Weakness and discrediting of moderates
Bread, Peace and Land as popular slogan
Bolsheviks put themselves at head of revolution already under way
End of traditional society
New mode of governing: one party rule, rapid industrialization directed from party, redistribution of wealth, use centralized authority to consolidate power and purge dissidents
