2 Revolutions Russian Revolution A Civil War 1917

2 Revolutions Russian Revolution A Civil War 1917 -1922

Last Straw: World War I Russia was losing 30, 000 soldiers per month! Soldiers were rebelling and deserting • “Why are we fighting? ” “Where are our supplies? ” Nicholas II was directing from the front and Czarina Alexandra was in control • Crazy Rasputin was in control! “Again that cursed question of shortage of artillery and rifle ammunition - it stands in the way of an energetic advance. If we should have three days of serious fighting we might run out of ammunition altogether. Without new rifles, it is impossible to fill up the gaps… Please do not say a word of this to any one. ” –Nicholas II in a letter to his wife during WWI

Video http: //yt. cl. nr/NYRecjf. E-24 (22: 50 -25: 00)

February Revolution (3/8/1917) “Get us out of this awful war!!!”

February Revolution March 1917, women textile workers in Petrograd lead a citywide strike – for International Women’s Day • Nearly 200, 000 workers protested • At first soldiers followed orders to shoot at protestors • Later they joined the rebellion This local protest exploded into a general uprising.

February Revolution Big Moment: • The soldiers turn against the Czar, refuse to fight protestors. • What options does the Czar have left?

February Revolution Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate his throne • He stepped down from his position as leader • A year later he and his family were murdered The reign of the Romanov family finally ended after over 300 years

February Revolution (1917) Who lost power? Who took power? • The Czar • Provisional Government

Provisional Government Led by Duma Leader Kerensky • Constitutional Democrat Big Decision: • Decide to stay with the Allies in WWI • Afraid of angering UK, France & USA Question: • How will the people react to this?