The Russian Revolution: From Empire to Soviet Union

What type of government did Russia have?

• An absolute monarchy (virtually the only one left in Europe).

What was the Duma?

• Duma= a representative assembly.

• It was created in 1905 after the revolution but had no real power.

  • It was an attempt made by Nicholas II to stay on the throne.

What were other factors that contributed to the instability in Russia at the time?

• Russian defeat in the Russo-Japanese war: this was humiliating for Russia, made them feel underdeveloped compared to other countries.

• Russia was also experiencing the early stages of industrialization and there was worker unrest.

When did Russia enter WWI?

• Russia entered World War I in 1914, they declared war on Austria-Hungary.

• At the time, Russia was poorly equipped and unprepared.

Did Russia have a lot of victories/were they succesful in the war?

• No, there were two million Russian soldiers dead by 1916.

What was Russia like during the war?

• There were food shortages and an economic collapse on the home front.

What did Tsar Nicholas II do with the military?

• He took control over the military and made poor decisions.

• This associated him with its failures, which made publc confidence in the government further deteriorate.

What was the Romanov Family Crisis?

• Tsar Nicholas II and Alexandra’s son, Alexei, had hemophilia.

• Grigori Rasputin, who became known as a “healer,” gained power within the royal family.

  • Rasputin did not have a good reputation, which put a strain on the reputation of the Romanovs.

• Alexandra’s German heritage also caused suspicions during the war.

• The royal family was becoming more and more isolated from the public.

Who was Rasputin?

• The “Mad Monk.”

• He was a Siberian peasant who claimed mystical healing powers.

• He gained influence by appearing to help Alexei’s hemophilia (he just took him off of blood-thinners).

• He was known for drinking, womanizing, and corrupt behavior.

• He influenced government decisions through Tsarina Alexandra- they were very close.

• He was assassinated in 1916 by nobles who feared his power. His body was found with poison, gunshot wounds, and drowing.

What issues were caused by industrialization in Russia?

• Harsh working conditions.

• Urban workers were facing poverty and 12hr workdays.

• Bloody Sunday- massacre in 1905, when peaceful protesters were shot by Tsarist troops.

• Formation of workers’ councils called “soviets.”

• Workers were increasingly drawn to Marxist ideas and underground organizations. Marxism was becoming more politically active.

Were there revolutionary groups?

• Yes, there was a rise in revolutionary groups.

• New Marxist groups wre opposed to the tsarist regime form.

• Social Democratic Labor Party splits in 1903 (Bolsheviks + Mensheviks).

  • Bolsheviks (majority)- led by Vladmir Lenin.

  • Mensheviks (minority)- favored gradual change.

• Both of these groups were opposed to tsarist autocracy, they just had different ideas for revolution.

• The underground revolutionary movement was growing.

What was the March Revolution in 1917?

• Bread riots break out in Petrograd.

• Protests led to a general strike and the military joines the protesters.

• Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate.

• A Provisional Government was established under the leadership of Alexander Kernesky (switch to Duma).

• War was very unpopular, but the provisional government decided to keep Russia in the war.

• Provisional Government