Russian Revolution and WWI

Russia in 1800s

In 1800, largest country in Europe, Most populated nation, Empire extended from Europe into central Asia, Had natural resources

HOW DID RUSSIA REACT TO THE SPREAD OF REVOLUTIONS IN EUROPE?

No influence on Russia, The Czars believed reforms would undermine their power, Czars refused to introduce democratic ideas to their gov't.

What prevented progress in Russia?

Czar had absolute power- did not allow change (ideas from Mongols) Rigid Class Structure, Landowning nobles very powerful- did not want change, Middle class too small to do anything, Serfs were bound to the land like slaves

HOW DID ALEXANDER I ATTEMPT TO MODERNIZE RUSSIA?

Took the throne in 1801 seemed open to liberal ideas. Eased censorship and promoted education

HOW DID CZAR NICHOLAS I REACT TO REVOLUTION?

After Alexander dies in 1825, Nicholas crushed the Decemberists, began to crack down on anyone who questioned the gov't, used secret police, banned books, sent 150,000 people to Siberia without trials

Decemberists

soldiers who picked up ideas of revolution while fighting Napolean in France who then went on to lead a revolt against Czar Nicholas I, which was crushed by the Czar/gov.

CZAR NICHOLAS' RULING MOTTO

"Orthodoxy, autocracy, nationalism"

Orthodoxy

strong ties between. gov't and church

Autocracy

Czar had absolute power

Nationalism for Russia

respect for Russian traditions and suppress non-Russian ideas

HOW DID ALEXANDER II ATTEMPT TO REFORM RUSSIA?

Alexander ll decide change was necessary after Rusisa lost Crimean War, so in 1861 he freed the serfs and created zemstvo system, trial by jury, easing of censorship, encouraged industrial growth

Zemstvo system

(Alexander II) Created a system of local elected gov'ts, they would deal with local issues (road repair, schools, agriculture)

What happened in 1861?

Alexander II freed the serfs

HOW DID THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE REACT TO ALEXANDER II'S REFORMS?

Peasants were free but had no land or money. Liberals and radicals wanted more freedoms, Nobles disliked all reforms, lost their power.

Russia 1881

Alexander II assassinated by radicals (and his soon, Alexander III)

What did Alexander III do?

Forcible Russification; persecuted religious Minorities; Started Pogroms against Jews, Increased industrial development (Trans_Siberian Railroad), Censored Public Materials.

HOW DID NICHOLAS II ATTEMPT TO MODERNIZE RUSSIA?

He took the throne in 1894 and sought to use the ideas of Europe to help Russia industrialize. Did not want to accept the ideas of the French Revolution, wanted to keep complete power in the hands of the Czar. He used harsh tactics and terror to prevent Reform. He continued Pogroms against jews and believed he was unfit to be the Czar

WHAT FACTORS LED TO UNREST IN RUSSIA?

Plans for industrialization were not working Peasants were poor and hungry, City workers faced long hours, low wages, horrible conditions, Socialists and communists spread ideas about revolution and reform, Ethnic minorities angered by Russification Policies, Russo-Japanese war (loss) was a source of anger and embarrassment

WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 22, 1905?

Peasants marched peacefully to St.Petersburg to influence Czar Nicholas II for reform Nicholas II called in soldiers who opened fire on the crowd, This day is called Bloody Sunday, Revolts spread throughout Russia

Result of Russian Revolution of 1905

As a result of the Russian Revolution of 1905, Tsar Nicholas II (1868- 1915) granted a constitution (the October Manifesto), and permitted the formation of a national assembly (the Duma).

Duma

a law-making body (like Congress), Guarantees "freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly, and union." This made Russia somewhat of a limited/constitutional monarchy, yet the Czar still held enormous amounts of power.

Russia in 1917

Little industry, wasn't ready for WWI, Czar Nicholas and nobles had all the power, peasants had nothing, The Duma (Russian governing body) was weak and ineffective, WWI caused millions of deaths and loss of faith in Russian leadership, Czar Nicholas heads to the front lines to help, Alexandria takes over domestic policy- much corruption

Who was Rasputin?

Monk of the Romanovs, who believed had the power to heal their son Alexis, He gained political power and was a threat to powerful Russians. Russian political figures executed him - but it wasn't easy

Russia in March 1917

The peasants take to the streets, soldiers refuse to fire on them Nicholas agrees to step down as Czar, The March Revolution, Provisional gov't takes control

Russia's Provisional Government

May 1917- Alexander Kerensky- prime minister of The provisional gov't Insisted on staying in World War I. Reform could come later. At the same time, the Petrograd Soviet asserted its power by issuing the Army Order No. 1, stripping all army officers of their authority, As summer approaches, chaos once again descends upon Russia

Who was Vladimir Lenin?

Lenin was a staunch proponent of Marxism Believed violent revolution was necessary to overthrow the capitalist system, Also believed revolution could happen in an unindustrialized area such as Russia, Need for a disciplined party of professional revolutionaries to lead the proletariat.

Lenin's Party

The Bolsheviks.

How did Lenin assert his power in 1917?

Lenin sees the March Revolution as a chance to assert his power with the help of Leon Trotsky, Lenin gathers support for the Bolsheviks and their agenda.

November 1917 in Russia

November 1917- seized gov't buildings and declared their power "All Power to the Workers!" THE NOVEMBER REVOLUTION!

Lenin's Promise to Russia

"Peace, Land and Bread"

How did the Bolsheviks take over in November 1917?

Lenin organized the Red Guard, armed factory workers and peasants. The Red Guard led the fight to overthrow the provisional Government. Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized power. The Provisional govt. was dissolved and Czar and his family were sent to Siberia.

Why did the Bolshevik Revolution succeed?

1. By summer of 1917 Russia was in a state of anarchy! People wanted order! 2. superior leadership of Lenin and Trotsky 3. Bolshevik ideas appealed to workers and peasants

How did Lenin and the Bolshevik party change Russia?

Removed Russia from WWI, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. He then concentrated on beating those loyal to the Czar- the White Army. Murdered the Czar and his family. Took land from church and nobles and gave it to peasants. By 1921, the Communist Party defeated their foes and could concentrate on rebuilding Russia.

How did Lenin build a communist state in Russia?

Lenin wanted to achieve the Marxist idea of a classless society where the people owned the means of production. Created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Gov't took control of banks, trade, and major industries.

Lenins NEP

allowed some free market capitalism-peasants could own plots of land and sell goods for profit. By the time of Lenin's death 1924, living conditions had improved in Russia. It means New Economic Policy

What happened to the Soviet Union after the death of Lenin?

Power struggle between.Trotsky, Lenin's friend, and Joseph Stalin. Trotsky was a brilliant Marxist thinker and leader of the Bolshevik Revolution. Stalin was a shrewd political operator who worked behind the scenes. Stalin was able to gather many followers and forced Trotsky to flee Trotsky was later murdered in Mexico with an ice pick.

Nobility in Czarist Russia

1% of population Controlled most of the land and wealth, Lived life of luxury, Served as military officers or government officials, Had little political power

Clergy in Czarist Russia

Central figure in Russian society, Eastern Orthodox dominant religion, Lived simple life, Owned land, but worked as peasants, Seen as a source of spiritual power

Intellectuals in Czarist Russia

Middle class, Educated, Dominated by Revolutionaries, Discussed new ideas and ways to change Russia Believed czar(tsar) exploited the peasants Formed resistance organizations that opposed the czar

Peasants in Czarist Russia

Made up of 90% of Population, Taxed heavily, Limited access to land, Lived in poverty, Had little or no legal Rights, Saw czar as a godlike father who would help them "if only he knew how they suffered."

Russification

Coined by Alexander III Uniform Russian culture, only Russian everything(restrictions on language, clothing, religions...)

Bloody Sunday and Revolution of 1905

Event where 200,000 workers approached the Winter Palace to ask the Csar for reforms.such as better working conditions, more freedom and legislature. Soldiers fired and killed over a 1000 people, causing a lot of riots and violence.

Russia in WW1

Over 1.7 million Russians were killed, The Czar leaves to fight in the war, leaving the Czarina to rule, who was influenced easily by people like Rasputin. Soldiers mutinied, deserted and ignored orders.

Soviets

councils of workers- took over the city government and arrested the Tsar's ministers.

Why did Czar Nicholas II abdicate the throne?

He lost military support.

Why doesn't the Provisional Government work?

Russia continues to fight in WWI, Therefore, bread riots, rationing, causalities, distractions, and social unrest continues

What happened to the Romanov Family?

They continued to be moved, but were executed and found dead in the Siberian Forest.

Main Causes for WW1

M- militarism, A- alliances, I- imperialism, N- nationalism

Militarism

the glorification of military power, and led to an arms race (European nations), countries built up their armies and navies, there was fierce rivalry and competition.

Alliances

Nations agreed to protect one another in case of a major attack. This alliance system caused many tensions in fear among other nations.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente

Great Britain, France, Russian

Imperialism

bring France, Germany and other European nations competing for colonies around the world. As they took new lands, they came into conflict with one another. Great Britain, Germany and France needed foreign markets after the increase in manufacturing caused by the Industrial Revolution.

Nationalism

Germany- Germany was proud of its new military strength, and wanted respect.

Nationalism in France

France was angry at losing the Franco Prussian war to Germany and wanted revenge.

Pan Slavism

a movement led by Russia to unite all Slavic people (eastern Europe).

Why was the Balkans called "powder keg" of Europe?

Balkan nations break away from the Ottoman Empire. Nationalism plays a huge role. In 1908 Austria-Hungary takes over Bosnia Serbia's outrage because many Bosnians are Slavic people. Tension is high and things are about to explode

Why did the Serbian nationalist plot to kill Franz Ferdinand?

Archduke Francis Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria. The black hand, a secret Serbian group, plotted to kill him to protest Austrian control of Bosnia. On June 28, 1914, Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip This was the immediate cause of the war.

How did Austria respond to the assassination?

Austria blamed Serbia for Ferdinand's death July 28, 1914, Austria declares war on Serbia

Chain Reaction of the War

July 28: Russia Serbia's ally begins mobilizing. It's troops for military action. August 1: Germany, Australia's Ally, declares war on Russia. August 3: Germany, declares war on France, Russia's ally. August 3: Germany invades Belgium, so they can attack France from the north (Schlieffen Plan). August 4: Great Britain declares war on Germany in response to the German invasion of Belgium

Where was WW1 fought?

Western Front and Eastern Front.

Battles fought in the Western Front

Battle of Verdun and Battle of the Somme. Against France and Germany.

Battles fought in the Eastern Front

Germany and Russia

Battles fought around the world

War is also being fought around the world over colonial holdings.

How did warfare become more deadly than ever before during WWI?

The Industrial Revolution caused many destructive weapons to be produced. These included Automatic Machine Gun, Tanks, Submarines, Airplanes, and Poison Gas

Trench Warfare

warring armies built a vast system of trenches. Land between two sides called "no-man's land." Trench warfare led to stalemates.

Treaty of Brest

Litovsk- Treaty that brought Russia out the war.

Why did the United States join WW1

Germany's unrestricted warfare caused the sinking of the Lusitania, which killed 128 Americans. The USA also had strong ties with their allies, such as the British. The final reason was because of the Zimmerman Note.

Zimmerman Note

Telegram where Germany urges Mexico to help them fight the US. Germany would help Mexico regain parts of Southwest. This caused USA to declare war on Germany.

How did the great war come to an end?

In March of 1918... Germany launched an assault that pushed the allies back 50 miles, exhausting the german army. The allies counterattacked and slowly pushed the Germans back. German Generals told the Kaiser that they could not win.

How did Germany Surrender

Kaiser Willaim II went into exile, causing Germany to collapse, also including Austria-Hungary. November of 1918, Germany sought a peace agreement (known as an armistice), indicating that the world war was truly over.

What were the costs of war (Human)

8.5 million people dead, More than 17 million people wounded, Famine and disease swept through the region (flu, 20 million people dead).

What were the costs of war (political)

Collapse of government in Europe. Unrest in Colonies. Threat of Communism. The Ottoman Empire collapsed.

Armenian Genocide

Ottomans killed over 1.5 million Armenians

What were the costs of war (financial)

Loss of economic and industrial power of Great Britain. Homes, roads, factories, farms all destroyed. Rebuilding and war debt cost were huge.

What is genocide

Organized killing of a group

Where is Armenia?

Present day republics of Turkey

Who met in Paris to discuss peace after WWI

Leaders from the world met in Paris in 1919 to discuss peace. The big three was responsible for all major decision making (consisting of Great Britain, France, and US)

What were the provision of the Treaty of Versailles

Germany must accept full responsibility for the War, Pay reparations to the Allies, give up land and colonies, cannot have an air force, submarines, can't make weapons, cannot build up its army.

Creation of the League of Nations

40 countries joined, agreed to discuss disputes rather than go to war (This was Wilson's dream, but the US refused to join!)

Major Problems caused by the provision of the Treaty of Versailles

1. The treaty was the isolation of Russia from western Europe by buffer states along its western borders that also prevented the rights of remaining national minorities. 2. Germany's Economy was so weak that the people became bitter towards the Weimar Republic and left the door open for a dictator. 3. It eliminated the opportunity to include Germany in the planning stages of the League of Nations which later led to the leagues demise.

Who were the Big Three?

David Lloyd George: Great Britain, Georges Clemenceau: France. Woodrow Wilson: United States