Russian Revolution March and Bolshevik Revolutions March 1917

Russian Revolution March and Bolshevik Revolutions

March 1917 • • • Female factory workers went on strike Shortages of Food and Fuel Soldiers at first shot rioters then joined them “Down with the autocracy!” “Down with the war!”

Czar Steps Down • March Revolution forced the czar to abdicate or surrender the throne – A year later the Romanov family were executed • A Provisional Government was created – Alexander Kerensky headed the new government – Did NOT end war

Lenin Returns to Russia • Lenin had fled earlier from Russia to Germany to avoid arrest by the Czar • Lenin and Bolsheviks wanted to end WWI • Germany allowed Lenin to travel to Russia

Bolsheviks Seize Power • Lenin and Bolsheviks gained control of many major Russian cities • Lenin’s slogan: “Peace, Land, and Bread!” • November 1917 factory workers called Bolshevik Red Guards overthrew the government

Bolsheviks in Power • Farmland was redistributed to peasants • Control of factories was given to the workers • March 1918 War with Germany ended – Russia gave a lot of territory to the Germans

Civil War in Russia • Russians were angered at terms of peace treaty and the murder of the Czar and his family • Whites vs. Reds • 1918 -1920 Civil War • Bolsheviks won the civil war and established order

Lenin Provides Order • New Economic Policy (NEP) – Small scaled capitalism – Government controlled businesses but allowed for some private ownership • Political Reforms – Created the USSR to control nationalism across Russia – Created Communist Party