The document summarizes the Russian Revolution that overthrew the monarchy of Czar Nicholas II in 1917 and led to a communist government under Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. It describes how Nicholas II was a weak ruler influenced by his wife Alexandra and mystic Rasputin. Growing unrest over food shortages and World War I led to the Czar's abdication in March 1917 and a provisional government. Lenin and the Bolsheviks then seized power in November 1917 and established the world's first communist state, fighting a civil war against anti-communist forces until 1920.
2. CZAR NICHOLAS II ROMANOV : strict ruler who relied on army & huge govt to hold power. Had 4 daughters, 1 son Wife ALEXANDRIA was German Alex kept him cut off from events during war
7. THE LOVE STORY I never dreamt that our married life would have been so perfect, such utter happiness you have brought me. Alexandra’s letter to Nicholas, 20 September 1898 (don’t write)
11. ALEXANDRA & RASPUTIN Alex was under the influence of GRIGORI RASPUTIN , a Siberian peasant who claimed to be a holy man. Supposedly could stop bleeding of son Alexei
13. MORE PROBLEMS Rasputin helped Alex make bad decisions, causing military & eco disaster. People upset w/ Czar. Aristocrats kill Rasputin .
14. DON”T WRITE: LISTED AS WEAKNESSES IN PACKET Russia not ready for WWI. No weapons Czar had no military training, no competent military leaders no armament industry
15. The DUMA , (legislative body), met March 12 th 1917 even though Czar had gotten rid of Duma Set up a provisional govt & asked Czar to step down .
16. MARCH REVOLUTION -10,000 female factory workers strike in Petrograd, upset w/ bread rationing. Call for general strike. Soldiers sent to stop it, end up joining in.
23. Bolsheviks want: 1. violent overthrow of govt. 2. control of Soviets 3. Lenin saw Provisional govt as chance for Bolsheviks to take over
24. Bolsheviks promise to end war, redistribute land to poor, give factories to committees & govt power to Soviets (the councils ).
25. By Oct 1917, Bolsheviks have a majority in Moscow & Petrograd Soviets (led by Leon Trotsky ).
26. Bolsheviks seize Winter Palace on Nov. 6 th & destroy Provisional Govt. All Russian Congress of Soviets meets in Petrograd, but Lenin fakes turning over power (kept it for himself)
27. Bolsheviks (now called Communists ) Treaty of Brest-Litovsk gave Germany land to get out of war humiliating Russia : Poland, Finland, Ukraine & Baltics.
28. Many oppose Communists (Cossacks, liberals, socialists). Allies send troops & supplies to fight Communists.
33. REASONS FOR COMMUNIST SUCCESS : Communists used WAR COMMUNISM - govt control of banks, industry, wheat & centralization of govt to get supplies for army.
34. THE CHEKA Used Red secret police – called the CHEKA - to destroy anyone against the new govt.
35. DON’T WRITE Trotsky was brilliant Had single-minded purpose Anti-communist disorganized & not united Allies were hated for supporting anti-communists