The Russian Revolution Quick Timeline March 1917 Fall

The Russian Revolution

Quick Timeline • March, 1917: Fall of the Czar • March to October, 1917: Provisional Government • October, 1917: Bolshevik Revolution • 1918 to 1920: Russian Civil War • 1920 to 1991: USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Provisional Government Under pressure, Czar Nicholas abdicated (left) the throne in early 1917 Provisional Government took over. • Led by upper class • Decided to continue fighting WWI • Lost support from soldiers and civilians • Pro. Govt = Not as popular as Soviets • Soviet (n) local council consisting of workers, peasants and soldiers • Soviets supported Socialist Revolutionaries

Who were the Socialist Revolutionaries? • Bolsheviks were radical revolutionaries committed to overthrowing the Czar and taking control of the Russian government • Mensheviks were more patient in their push for revolution (more popular) • Workers supported these socialists because they promised a better life in the face of Industrialization (1) better working conditions (2) higher wages (3) more say in government (4) higher standard of living

Bolshevik Revolution (Oct. 1917) • Coup • (n) a sudden takeover of power • Overnight on Oct. 24 • Seized railroad stations, post offices, telephone centers, power station, national bank, Winter Palace Lenin – Bolshevik leader

What did the Bolsheviks Want? Communism! • What is communism? • Remember Karl Marx? • Marx believed history is a struggle b/n the “haves” and the “have nots” • haves = control the wealth • have nots = do the hard work rich get richer, poor get poorer • workers will overthrow and masses would have the power to rule themselves (communism)

Lenin Speech • Lenin, October 24, 1917 “It would be an infinite crime on the part of the revolutionaries were they to let the chance slip, knowing that the salvation of the revolution, the offer of peace, the salvation of Petrograd (capital of Russia), salvation from famine, the transfer of the land to the peasants depend upon them. The government is tottering. It must be given the death-blow at all costs. To delay action is fatal. ”

Lenin’s Promises • Overthrow of Government • End to Russian participation in WWI • Soviets to form new government (run by workers) • Land given to peasants • State to control factories and banks

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918 • Between Germany and Russia • Russia surrendered a large chunk of its territory • Triggered widespread anger among many Russians against the Bolsheviks

Russian Civil War 1918 -1920 Reds (Bolsheviks) versus Whites (wanted to restore the Czar) • Reds won, despite being the minority • How? • They were very well organized • They controlled the central areas & cities • Over 15 million died from war & famine