RussianRevolution 1

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
One of the most important consequences of World War I was the Russian Revolution of 1917. This revolution
was to have far-reaching effects on the world. To understand the causes of the revolution, it is necessary to
first examine developments taking place in Russia earlier in the nineteenth century.
CAUSES OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION:

1. Autocratic Czars
The Russian Tsars (emperors) ruled as
autocrats (absolute rulers). Through a
network of secret police and strict censorship, the
people were strictly controlled.
2. Huge gap between aristocratic nobles and peasants
Peasants and factory workers lived in
conditions of terrible poverty, while the
landowning nobles enjoyed lives of wealth and
leisure.
3. Lack of supplies and training for the army
Poorly trained and badly equipped soldiers
suffered disastrous defeats. In some cases, troops were even sent into battle without
ammunition. They were told to pick up the weapons of their dead comrades.
4. Catastrophic losses in WWI
Mounting defeats led to widespread discontent in the army.
5. Shortages of food and materials on the homefront
Food supplies at home were dangerously low. Industries were incapable of producing
enough supplies.
Under these conditions, Russia was ripe for a

revolution…
“BLOODY SUNDAY”
In 1905, troops of Tsar Nicholas II trampled and
opened fire on unarmed, peaceful demonstrators in St.
Petersburg. Although an exact number was never
released, it is believed that 500-1000 demonstrators were
killed that day. This event became known as
“Bloody Sunday”. As a result of this event,
revolutions broke out across the country. Peasants seized lands, while workers in the cities engaged
in demonstrations and general strikes.
Tsar Nicholas II finally granted limited reforms, creating an elected legislature known as the Duma.
However, only the very wealthy could vote for members to the new assembly.
“FEBRUARY REVOLUTION”:
In 1917, worker-led food riots broke out in cities all across Russia. When soldiers refused to
fire on striking workers in March 1917, Nicholas realized he was powerless to govern the nation.
As a result, Nicholas gave up his throne, and the leaders of the Duma declared Russia a republic.
However, the provisional government that replaced the
Tsar failed to win the support of the people when it
refused to withdraw from the war.
“OCTOBER REVOLUTION”:
Vladimir Lenin was a follower of Karl Marx,
living in exile in Switzerland. The Germans sent him
back to Russia by railroad, hoping he would
cause unrest in Russia. This would help to end the
war on the Eastern front, allowing Germany to
concentrate on defeating the Western allies. Lenin’s supporters, known as the
Bolsheviks, promised “Peace, Bread, and Land”: peace to the soldiers, bread to the
workers, and land to the peasants. The Bolsheviks seized power by force in a second
revolution in November 1917.
The Bolsheviks changed the name of their political party to the Communists. They also
changed the name of their country to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)
or “Soviet Union.” Russia had become the world’s first Communist country.
Once in power, the communists immediately withdrew from the war against
Germany. They transferred millions of acres of land to the poorer peasants. Workers
were organized to control and operate factories, and all industries were nationalized
(taken over by the government)…
THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR: (1919-1921)

A civil war followed between those who supported Lenin’s
program, known as the “Reds”, and those who wished to
return to the rule of the Tsar, known as the “Whites”.
Several foreign powers, including the United States,
intervened, sending troops to help the “Whites”. Parts of
the old Russian Empire even tried to break away. The Red
Army, however, enjoyed greater support from peasants and
workers. Lenin also took drastic measures, like executing Tsar Nicholas
II and his family in cold blood, so that the monarchy could never be
restored. After two years of fighting, the Reds defeated the Whites.
This victory secured Russia as the first Communist country in the world.
After half a decade of turmoil, the Russian economy was in shambles. Now that the Bolsheviks had gained
political control, they needed to deliver on their promises to feed the people…
LENIN’S NEW ECONOMIC POLICY:

By 1921, a severe famine was facing Russia. Lenin came to the conclusion that Communist policies must be
temporarily put aside to avoid disaster.
Lenin’s goal was to keep the peasants satisfied and to keep the Bolsheviks in power. Lenin introduced
the New Economic Policy, or N.E.P., in which some private ownership was permitted in small-scale
manufacturing and agriculture. Meanwhile, the government continued to control major industries.
The N.E.P. succeeded in slowly increasing production. The policy seemed to be working when Lenin died in
1924. Although many though Leon Trotsky, leader of the Red Army, would succeed Lenin, Joseph Stalin
managed to gain control becoming one of the most infamous leaders in history.

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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

CAUSES OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION:

Under these conditions, Russia was ripe for a

THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR: (1919-1921)

LENIN’S NEW ECONOMIC POLICY:

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