Russian Revolution 1917 1920 REASONS FOR REVOLUTION 1

Russian Revolution: 1917 -1920

REASONS FOR REVOLUTION

#1: Class Divisions n Most people were peasants in Russia, and were living in extreme poverty, and owned no land.

#2: Russo-Japanese War (1904 -1905) n n Russia fought and lost a war against Japan to try and expand their power. The loss was very embarrassing for Russia.

#3: Russia During WWI n n Soldiers were being sent to the front without any weapons. Russian soldiers started to get tired of war, and deserted the army by the thousands.

Russia During WWI n n Dissatisfaction with the war and life in Russia spread in 1916. In the winter of 1917, general strikes broke out across Russia, crippling the country.

#4 Weakness of Czar Nicholas II n Czar Nicholas II was not a very good ruler. n n He did not like to make tough decisions. He continued the war even though the Russian people were starving

Rasputin and Monarchy

REVOLUTION

End of the Monarchy n Unable to stop the unrest, Czar Nicholas II steps down in March 1917. n n A Provisional Government was established. The war continued for Russia.

Vladimir Lenin n Leader of Bolsheviks n n Russian Communists Returned to Russia in 1917 and overthrew Provisional Government.

Russian Revolution n After Lenin takes over, revolution takes place in Russia n n n Reds: Bolsheviks Whites: supporters of democracy and czar Lenin and Bolsheviks ultimately win and turn Russia into the Soviet Union.

New Economic Policy n Lenin’s 5 year economic plan. n n n Gov’t took over all farms and set goals for how much farmers should grow Industry would be owned privately for 5 years, then taken over by gov’t Anybody who disagreed would be thrown into prison.

Stalin n n Lenin died in 1924 After a power struggle, Joseph Stalin takes over control of Russia.