Russian Revolution 1917 Equality Justice Tsar Nicholas Sometimes

Russian Revolution 1917 Equality, Justice, …. .

Tsar Nicholas • Sometimes kind, sometimes cruel • Weak/poor leader compared to western kings

The Romanov Family

Winter Castle

Catherine Palace

Tsar Nicholas and Family • Son was a hemophiliac • Anastasia mystery • Murdered by revolutionaries

Faberge Eggs • Russian treasures • Confiscated many after execution • Worth millions

Alexandra Romanov • Brought the Mad Monk into the palace • Revolutionaries used the Monk to strengthen opposition to the Tsar and his family

Alexei As A Child • • Blood disorder “Bleeder” Mother is a carrier Any slight injury could cause him to bleed to death

The Mad Monk • Rasputin • Tsar’s family believed he saved son’s life • Thought to have supernatural healing powers • Big influence on Tsar, especially wife

Mad Monk Assassinated • Nobles saw him as problem • Poison, bullet, beating didn’t do the job • Drowned in icy water

Anastasia

Romanov Death Cellar

Execution • Family, four servants, and doctor held captive • Death shooting squad • Didn’t die easily

Anastasia Romanov • Did she survive? • Was she saved by one of the soldiers? • Movies and books carry the legend

Karl Marx • Philosopher • Father of communism • “Workers of the world unite!” • Died before the Russian Revolution

Leon Trotsky • Pure communist; followed Marx • Wanted to improve life for all Russians • Lenin’s KGB (secret police) chased him away • Other leader of October revolution • Well-educated

Communism…in its purist form • Rules and regulations…. . • No owners, no rich, no poor • All are equal • Government owns everything, people own government

Leon Trotsky: Murdered • Exiled in body and spirit • Face removed from photos • Historical role was rewritten • Denounced as traitor and conspirator • Assassinated in Mexico City in 1940 by Stalin’s agent

Joseph Stalin • Not as well educated as Trotsky • Didn’t follow Marx’s philosophy • Pragmatic, not philosophical • Craved power; killed those who did not agree with him • Began KGB/secret police

Lenin • Supported by KGB • Strong propaganda

Children for Revolution

Propaganda • Propaganda is, according to the dictionary: • “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person” • Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary. Published by Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009, 11 th Edition

Propaganda • Controlled all news • Supported revolution leaders • Lied when necessary to retain support for leaders • Education was controlled by leaders; people weren’t sure of what was what.

Marching in the Streets

Russian Red Arm Band • Red = color of the revolution • People who wanted to stay out of trouble wore the arm band

Tough times, bread lines • Goods went first to soldiers and government • Bread lines ran out of supplies • People were desperate • Joined army for food

Marching Troops

Romanov Treasures Confiscated

Some believed Alexei lived!

Romanovs Reburied

Russian Farmers • Stalin wanted collective farms • Ukraine farmers resisted/killed livestock • Stalin executed farmers who destroyed their livestock • 4 -10 million Ukranians were starved to death by Stalin; Ukranian holocaust….

Revolution? Success or Failure?