Global History and Geography Russian Revolution Pre1917 Global

Global History and Geography Russian Revolution: Pre-1917

Global History and Geography What is a Revolution? • A complete change in the way things are done • Sometimes peaceful • Sometimes violent • Russian Revolution = the overthrow of the Tsar’s government and the establishment of Communist Rule

Global History and Geography Russo-Japanese War • 1904/05 Russia and Japan fight over control of Korea and Manchuria • Tsar expects quick victory • Russia suffers defeat on land sea • Japan destroys Russian Navy

Global History and Geography Results of Russo-Japanese War • Tsar becomes unpopular – Russia humiliated – Government seen as weak • Conditions for people get worse – Rising prices in food shortages/unemployment

Global History and Geography Revolutionaries Respond • Revolutionaries follow views of Karl Marx (2 groups) • Bolsheviks – radical small group led by Lenin • Mensheviks – not so radical

Global History and Geography Bloody Sunday • January 1905 workers march to Winter Palace • Want better living and working conditions • Soldiers open fire – 500 -1000 dead

Global History and Geography The Revolution of 1905 • Sparked by Bloody Sunday – Driven by working class – Wave of strikes and violence across country – Revolution failed due to lack of leadership.

Global History and Geography Crisis: Tsar Nicholas II • Not a strong leader • Did not keep promises made to increase personal freedoms • Influenced by Rasputin

Global History and Geography World War I (1914 -1918) • Russia is forced to enter war • Russia suffers serious setbacks and losses in the war • Czar takes control of the army, leaves Alexandra to run Russia

Global History and Geography World War I Results in: • Widespread discontent • Desertion • Hatred of Tsar

Global History and Geography Alexandra: The Power Behind the Throne • Ran government during WWI • Rasputin controls Alexandra • Scandals surrounding Rasputin discredits monarchy

Global History and Geography Summary: pre-Revolution Russia • Repressive and ineffective regime of Romanov dynasty (Nicholas II) • Severe economic and social crisis in Russia • New Ideas of Marxism • Russia in WWI: “This isn’t war it is slaughter (Lenin) • Corruption in government • Differences between the rich and poor