Chapter 26 World War I Section 3 Revolution

Chapter 26: World War I Section 3 – Revolution in Russia

Russia and World War I The Years Before the War Russia a troubled nation Czar Nicholas II had promised reform after 1905 revolution, but delivered little real change l Bolsheviks sought to change life through revolution, wanted to overthrow czar l Led by Lenin, wanted proletariat to rule Russia as socialist country l l Czar Nicholas II

Bolshevik Plan Adaptation of Marxist ideas of overthrow of capitalism l Wanted elite group to keep much of power over Russia l As Russia’s problems grew more serious, Bolsheviks gained more followers l Czar Nicholas hoped World War I would cause people to rally to his leadership l

Russia in World War I At the start of the war, Russia had an enormous army of some 6 million soldiers. Preparations for War l Outbreak of fighting caused patriotism, rush to join military l Otherwise Russia illprepared for war Factories unable to produce supplies quickly l Transportation system weak l Equipment outdated l On the Battlefield l Many Russian officers advanced on connections, not ability l Some initial successes on battlefield l Losses soon outnumbered victories l Millions of Russian soldiers wounded, killed during early battles

Conditions Grow Worse l Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915 Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters l Czar’s fate became linked with fate of Russian armed forces l Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command l l Russian army seemed doomed Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive l Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership l Army had little strength, even less confidence l l Conditions in Russia worse than on battlefield Food, goods scarce; peasants grew desperate l Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigori Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral l Shaky support for Russian monarchy dipped even lower l

Grigori Rasputin

The Russian Revolution l By the end of 1916, Russia was once again on the edge of a revolution. As the new year began and conditions in Russia continued to worsen, the Russian people clearly wanted a change.

Revolution Begins l Citizens protested in streets of Petrograd, March 8, 1917 l Police, soldiers refused to shoot rioters l Government was helpless

Czar Nicholas II l Ordered legislature to disband l His order defied l Citizens, government, military refused to obey Czar l Forced to abdicate, March 15, 1917

Calendar Change l March revolution known as February Revolution l Russian calendar at time 13 days behind l New calendar adopted, 1918

The Russian Revolution Provisional Government l Duma established temporary government l a legislative body in the ruling assembly of Russia and of some other republics of the former Soviet Union. Led by Aleksandr Kerensky l Many unhappy with new leadership l Bolshevism Abolish private property l Enforce social equality l Later known as Marxism -Leninism l

The Russian Revolution l Bolsheviks Led opposition to Kerensky’s provisional government l Wanted fundamental change in government and society l Planned Marxist revolution l l Vladimir Lenin Bolshevik leader forced to live outside Russia l Returned, April 1917 l Germany hoped Lenin would weaken Russian war effort l

The Bolshevik Revolution Kerensky’s final offensive l Kerensky ordered final military offensive against Central Powers along Eastern Front, mid-1917 l Drive failed and led to widespread rebellion in Russian army l Weakened Russian army collapsed

The Bolshevik Revolution Bolshevik takeover Lenin became leader Conditions ideal for Lenin l Armed Bolshevik factory workers, Red Guard, attacked provisional government, November 1917 l Known as October Revolution l Kerensky’s government collapsed after nearly bloodless struggle l l Established radical Communist program l Made private ownership of land illegal l Land given to peasants l Control of factories given to workers

After the Revolution Vladimir Lenin l Lenin sought to end Russian involvement in World War I l Sent Leon Trotsky to negotiate peace with Central Powers l Russia’s army virtually powerless l Trotsky had to accept agreement harsh on Russia l Russia gained peace, gave up large parts of empire

After the Revolution Reaction to Treaty l Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty angered many Russians l Bolsheviks’ opponents organized the White Army l White Army included army leaders, political opponents, wealthy Russians opposed to Communist system Civil War l White Army received military help from France, U. S. l Civil War raged for 3 years between Lenin’s Red Army and White Army l Millions of Russians died in fighting, famines l Bolsheviks finally triumphed, late 1920

New Economic Policy l Collapsing economy Brought on by civil war, pushed Russia to edge of total ruin l Peasants, workers especially hard hit l Lenin introduced New Economic Policy, 1921 l l Key points New Economic Policy permitted some capitalist activity l Peasants could sell food at profit l Tried to encourage badly needed food production l l The Soviet Union Russia reunited with several neighboring lands, became Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dominated by Communist leadership l Lenin’s death in 1924 led to struggle for control of Soviet Union l

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