The Fall of Tsarist Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution

Tsarist Autocracy

Absolute rule by the Romanov dynasty in Russia.

Bolshevik Revolution

1917 uprising leading to the establishment of a communist government.

November 1918 Armistice

End of World War I hostilities.

Socialist Ideology

Political theory advocating for social ownership and egalitarianism.

Bolsheviks

Political faction advocating for violent revolution in Russia.

1905 Revolution

Series of protests and strikes against tsarist rule.

Bloody Sunday

1905 protest where troops killed peaceful demonstrators.

Duma

Russian legislative assembly established after the 1905 Revolution.

Romanov Dynasty

Ruling family of Russia from the 1600s until 1917.

Influenza Virus

Deadly pandemic affecting soldiers and civilians during WWI.

Military Casualties

High number of soldiers killed or wounded in battle.

Working Class

Social class that Bolsheviks aimed to lead in revolution.

Reform Movement

Push for political changes and reduction of autocracy.

Electoral College

Body selecting members for one house of the Duma.

National Legislature

Government body created to share power with the tsar.

Peasant Representation

Inclusion of peasants in the Duma's legislative process.

War Supply Shortages

Lack of munitions and food affecting Russian military morale.

Strikes

Workers' protests demanding better conditions and rights.

Troop Deployment

Sending military forces into conflict zones during WWI.

Morale

Psychological state of soldiers influenced by war conditions.

Political Faction

Group with specific political goals, like the Bolsheviks.

Violent Revolution

Overthrowing a government through force, advocated by Bolsheviks.

Tsar Nicholas II

Last emperor of Russia, abdicated in 1917.

Tsarina Alexandra

Wife of Nicholas II, relied on Rasputin.

Rasputin

Controversial monk, advisor to Alexandra.

Hemophilia

Genetic disorder affecting blood clotting, Alexei's condition.

February Revolution

1917 uprising leading to the end of tsarism.

Petrograd

Capital city, site of major protests in 1917.

Duma

Russian legislative body, involved in provisional government.

Alexander Kerensky

Leader of the provisional government, lawyer and politician.

Provisional Government

Temporary government formed after Nicholas II's abdication.

Petrograd Soviet

Council representing workers, soldiers, and peasants.

Abdication

Renunciation of the throne by Tsar Nicholas II.

Workers' Strikes

Mass protests in Petrograd, started in March 1917.

Soldiers' Defection

Soldiers sided with protesters, marking a turning point.

Romanov Dynasty

Ruling family of Russia for over 300 years.

Anti-war Sentiment

Growing opposition to continued participation in WWI.

Constituent Assembly

Elected body to create a new government structure.

Eight-hour Workday

Demand for labor rights included in revolutionary agenda.

Popular Support

Public backing crucial for government legitimacy.

Military Shortages

Lack of weapons weakened Russian military effectiveness.

Public Discontent

Widespread dissatisfaction with government and war efforts.

Revolutionary Army

Forces aimed at establishing a new government.

Universal Suffrage

Voting rights for all citizens, regardless of background.

Provisional Government

Temporary government established after the February Revolution.

Constituent Assembly

Elected body to draft a new constitution for Russia.

Manifesto of the Central Committee

Document supporting the Provisional Government's program.

Social Democrats

Political party advocating for socialism in Russia.

Petrograd Socialist-Revolutionaries

Political group promoting social revolution in Russia.

Organisation and Unity

Slogan emphasizing collective effort against external enemies.

Kadet Party

Constitutional Democratic Party advocating for liberal reforms.

Council of the United Nobility

Group representing the interests of Russian nobility.

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Leader of the Bolshevik party and revolutionary figure.

Bolsheviks

Radical socialist faction led by Lenin.

October Revolution

1917 coup led by Lenin against the Provisional Government.

Peace, Land, Bread

Bolshevik slogan addressing war, land reform, and food.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

1918 agreement ending Russia's involvement in World War I.

Central Powers

Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and others during WWI.

Territorial Losses

Regions ceded by Russia in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

Ukraine

Region lost by Russia to Germany in 1918 treaty.

Baltic States

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia ceded to Central Powers.

Kerensky

Leader of the Provisional Government before Lenin's coup.

Radical

Political stance advocating for significant social change.

Exile

Period of forced absence from one's home country.

Coup

Sudden, violent overthrow of a government.

Soviets

Workers' councils advocating for workers' rights and socialism.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty between Russia and Central Powers, 1918.

Limit of occupation

Line defining Central Powers' territorial gains, 1918.

Line of Armistice

Boundary established at December 1917 armistice.

Area occupied by Central Powers

Territory held post-Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

Treaty of Bucharest

Agreement ceding territory by Romania, May 1918.

White Army

Opposed Lenin during Russian Civil War.

Red Army

Supported Bolshevik government in Russian Civil War.

Meuse-Argonne offensive

Major Allied counterattack in September 1918.

U.S. troop arrival

Significant reinforcements for Allies in summer 1918.

German Spring Offensive

March 1918 attack against British forces.

Civil unrest in Germany

Widespread panic and desertion among troops.

German naval mutiny

Sailors refused orders, signaling end of war.

Central Powers

Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and others.

Allied Powers

Coalition including France, Britain, and U.S.

Lenin's concessions

Territorial losses to exit World War I.

Territory ceded by Russia

Land given up in treaties with Central Powers.

German territorial gains

Germany's largest land acquisitions during the war.

Civil War duration

Conflict lasted from 1918 to 1923.

Allies' numerical advantage

Nearly three to one over Central Powers.

Treaty modification credit

Based on London Geographical Institute's work.

Fall of the German Empire

Collapse marked by mutinies and civil disorder.

Socialist Party

Far-left political group in Germany advocating for change.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

German emperor who abdicated on November 9, 1918.

Provisional Government

Temporary government established by Social Democrats in Germany.

Armistice

Cease-fire agreement to end hostilities in war.

Influenza Pandemic

Deadly flu outbreak affecting millions in 1918.

Tens of millions

Estimated deaths worldwide from the influenza pandemic.

Austria Armistice Date

Austria signed armistice on November 3, 1918.

Hungary Armistice Date

Hungary signed armistice on November 13, 1918.

Germany Armistice Date

Germany's armistice took effect on November 11, 1918.

Cease-fire Time

Cease-fire began at 11:00 a.m. on November 11.

Allied Negotiations

Discussions for peace without full surrender by Germany.

Military Withdrawal

German troops had to leave occupied foreign territories.

Scapa Flow

Location where German navy ships were scuttled.