Transcript Chapter 11
Revolution and Civil War in Russia Ch. 11 Section 5 Background • 1913 marked the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty • In 1914, the Russian empire stretched from Easter Europe to the Pacific Ocean • Russia was slow to industrialize • Majority of the population lived in poverty • In March 1917, the first of two revolutions would topple the dynasty and pave the way for more radical changes The March Revolution Ends Tsarism • Unrest Deepens – Tsar Nicholas II was a weak leader, relying on his secret police to impose his will – Marxists tried to ignite revolution among the “proletariat” • Impact of World War 1 – The war fueled national pride and united Russia – Their resources were quickly strained, and by 1915, soldiers didn’t have enough rifles or ammunition – In 1915 alone, there were 2 million Russian casualties – Tsar Nicholas II went to the front lines to ‘help’ leaving Tsarina Alexandra in charge – Alexandra relied on Gregory Rasputin so much that nobles had him killed to protect the monarchy on 12/29/1916 • The Tsar Steps Down – By March 1917, the monarchy collapsed – People rioted and marched in St. Petersburg and the troops refused to fire on them – The tsar stepped down on the advice of military and political leaders – A temporary government was set up and the began preparing a constitution for a new Russian republic – Revolutionary socialists set up “soviets” – Then, the Bolsheviks, led by V. I. Lenin took charge Fun Fact • The Russian revolutions of March and November 1917 are known to Russians as the February and October revolutions • In 1917, Russia was still using an old calendar that was 13 days behind the modern calendar • Russia adopted the western/modern calendar in 1918 Lenin • Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was born in 1870 • Changed his name to Lenin when he became a revolutionary • When he was 17, his brother was arrested and hanged for plotting to kill the tsar • His family was labeled a threat, and he hated the tsarist government ever since • As a young man, Lenin read Karl Marx, participated in student demonstrations, and spread Marxist ideas among the industrial working class • Met Nadezhda Krupskaya, the daughter of a poor noble family • In 1895, the pair were arrested and sent to Siberia. They got married and after their release, exiled to Switzerland and continued working towards spreading revolutionary ideas Lenin’s View of Marx • Lenin adapted Marxist ideas to fit Russian conditions – Russia did not have a large force of rural workers • “majority” even though they were a small percentage of socialists • In March 1917, Germany helped Lenin return home in an attempt to weaken Russia Bolsheviks Rise to Power • Lenin joined with other exiled activists and was appealing to a struggling country • The Provisional Government’s mistakes – Peasants wanted land and overpowered landlords – Kept fighting in the war with mutinous troops – Lack of supplies and morale – By November 1917, the Bolsheviks were primed to make their move and seize power from the provisional government The Takeover • Red Guards - armed factory workers – joined with mutinous sailors and attacked the provisional government • The Bolsheviks quickly seizes power in many cities • Moscow fell in a week and became Bolshevik headquarters A New Way • The bolsheviks ended private ownership and distributed land to peasants • Workers were given control of factories and mines • A new flag: red with an entwined hammer and sickle • People thought that they had gained control • Actually Bolsheviks, renamed Communists, were now in control Russia Plunges into Civil War • After the revolution, Lenin sought peace with Germany – Signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918 – This changed the war for the Allies (Section 3) • For 3 years, “Reds” fought “Whites” in a civil war – Reds: Communists – Whites: tsarist imperial officers, Menchaviks, democrats, etc – Allies intervened War Under Communism • • • • • “Cheka” – secret police Forced labor camps Took over banks, mines, factories, railroads Red Army used “commisars” By 1921, the Communists managed to defeat their foes Building the Communist Soviet Union • Chaos in Russia – Millions dead, from war,famine and disease • New Government, Same Problems – 1922 – Lenin forms USSR, or Soviet Union – Communists created a constitution that claimed to: • Seemed democratic and socialist, set up elected legislature, all citizens 18+ can vote, all political power, resources, and means of production belonged to the workers and peasants – Not really though. The Communist Party was actually in charge • Lenin’s New Economic Policy – Lenin retreated from “war communism” which almost collapsed the economy – 1921 – adopts NEP, which allows some capitalist ventures • Small business were allowed to reopen for private profit – By 1928, food and industrial production were back to prewar levels and the standard of living improved Stalin Takes Over • 1924 – Lenin dies at age 54 – Power struggle among Communist leaders • Trotsky – Marxist, skillful speaker, architect of Bolshevik revolution. Wanted to use Communism against capitalism • Joseph Stalin – not a scholar or orator, but a shrewd political operator and behind-the-scenes organizer. Wanted to build socialism at home before branching out • Stalin isolated Trotsky and kicked him out of the party. Trotsky fled in 1929, was killed in Mexico in 1940 • Lenin had been cautious of Stalin, and was right to, as Stalin used ruthless measures to win dictatorial power Recap: • • • • [proletariat, soviet, Cheka, commissar] Tsar abdicated Lenin and the Bolsheviks Russia did not have a large force of urban workers, so Marxism was adapted to fit them • Bolsheviks took over from the provisional government that was set up after the war • Lenin’s NEP of 1921 helped restore the economy, including letting small business reopen for private profit • Stalin takes over after Lenin dies (uh-oh…)