Russias Communist Revolution 1917 Before World War I

Russia’s Communist Revolution 1917

Before World War I, Russia was ruled by a rich autocrat named Czar Nicholas II.

The Russian people didn’t like him because while he was rich…

…they were poor.

Then came World War I.

Russia lost somewhere between five and eight million soldiers! Nobody really knows!

Things were also bad because of the stupidity of the Czar’s government. Some people believed that the Czar wife Alexandra was a German Spy.

She was under the influence of the crazy Siberian monk Rasputin.

The people were angry! They blamed the rich, and started listening to…

…communists. Hammer Poor industrial workers Sickle Poor field workers, farmers.

Communists, like Robin Hood, said they wanted to “steal from the rich to feed the poor. ”

Germany was fighting Russia, and wanted them to quit. The Germans wanted to focus on fighting France, Britain and their new ally, America.

So, Germany sent Vladimir Lenin, a Communist, into Russia. Lenin’s simple message, “peace, land bread” for all made sense to peasants.

Lenin started a gang called the Bolsheviks. They took over the country!

First, they machine-gunned the Czar and his family!

Then, Lenin’s communist government took control of the economy! They took farmland from the rich and gave it to the poor… …took control of the banks and industry …and established an eight hour workday.

The idea that a government could take control of the economy. What if the poor in our countries freaked out the rich in capitalist America, Britain and France. try the same thing? !!!!!

Not everyone in Russia supported Lenin’s takeover, and a civil war started.

From 1918 -1920, Lenin’s “Red” Bolsheviks fought off the “Whites. ” The war killed Russia’s economy and 15 million people.

After the Reds won, rather than share money and power as promised, Lenin’s Bolsheviks kept it for themselves.

When Lenin died, an evil man killed his rivals and took control of the gang and the country. His name was Joseph…

STALIN!

? STALIN!

Check to see if you can answer the following questions: 1. Who was the leader of Russia before the Rev? 2. Who were the Bolsheviks? 3. Who was Alexandra? 4. Who was Rasputin? 5. What three things led to the revolution? (Hint WWI, Czar’s Gov and Revolutionaries) 6. Who was the leader of the Revolution? 7. Draw the communist symbol and explain the parts. 8. What three things did he promise? 9. What were some changes that Lenin made? 10. Why were many Western nations freaked out about the Revolution? 11. What happened after the Revolution? Why was it bad? 12. Who took over after Lenin?