russia

Tsar Nicholas II

Last Russian emperor who led until his abdication; considered weak.

Marxism (Communism)

Ideology agreeing with Karl Marx that wealthy individuals have more advantages compared to the working class.

Proletariat

The working class regarded as a group in society.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class.

Grigori Rasputin

Personal advisor in court whose influence contributed to the downfall of the Romanov monarchy.

February Revolution

Protests and strikes that led to the Tsar's abdication and the establishment of a provisional government.

Dual Power

The sharing of power between the provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks, responsible for the October Revolution and establishing a one-party communist state.

Bolshevik Party

Political party that seized government power and became dominant following the October Revolution.

Leon Trotsky

Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and key leader in the Bolshevik revolution.

October Revolution

The event marking the formation of the first communist government in Russia.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty signed by the Bolsheviks and Central Powers ending Russian participation in WW1.

Russian Civil War

Conflict where the Red Army defended the Bolshevik government against anti-Bolshevik forces.

Allied Intervention

Foreign powers that supported the White Army to stop the spread of communism.

Red Terror (Cheka)

Official Bolshevik policy of severe violence aimed at crushing political opposition.

Josef Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union characterized by the implementation of the Five-Year Plan and significant suffering.

Cult of Personality

A phenomenon where a leader is perceived as heroic, aiding in the maintenance of their power.

Five-Year Plan

A strategy to increase industrialization and production through forced labor.

Collectivization

The consolidation of small farms into large, government-led mass production farms.

Gulags

Forced labor camps where individuals perceived as enemies were imprisoned.

Show Trials

Trials where people were coerced into admitting to crimes they did not commit and faced punishment.