Russian Revolution

Government before the Revolution

Autocratic Monarchy Romanov Family Tsar Nicholas II

took the throne in 1884

Russo-Japanese War

War breaks out in 1904 Causes:

Japan expanding west in to Manchuria and Korea

Russia expanding east in to Asia looking for warm water ports

Outcome: Russia was defeated, the war ended in

1905▪ Far weaker than anyone in Europe thought

Revolution of 1905

January 22, 1905 Bloody Sunday Workers approached the Winter Palace

with a petition, were fired upon by army guard

Unrest and dissatisfaction among peasants and workers

Political groups wanted government reform

Government Changes

Creation of the Duma: May 1906 Initially an advisory committee Broad participation in Duma Legislative and oversight powers

Fundamental Laws: April 23, 1906 Maintained the authority of the Tsar over

the Law, the Church, and the Duma Confirmed basic human rights,

subordinate to the law

WWI

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Russia backs Serbia as part of the alliances

Mobilization: Russia attacked Germany before they

were ready Not enough soldiers, not enough

supplies, industry and infrastructure not ready for war

The Revolution Begins

February Revolution 1917 (March according to Gregorian Calendar) Reasons: ▪ Failures of Russia in WWI▪ Public dissatisfaction over leadership▪ Economic problems.

Abdication of Tsar Nicholas: March 17, 1917

Provisional Government Created: March 12, 1917 Leader: Alexander Kerensky

Return of Lenin

April 1917 Lenin returns to Russia from exile

Germany helped Lenin return Trying to remove Russia from the war

October Revolution

October 1917 (November according to Gregorian calendar)

Provisional Government overthrown Establishment of Soviet government

under the Bolsheviks

Russian Civil War

Breaks out in 1917 and lasts until 1923

Fighting between: Bolshevik Red Army White Army (anti-Bolsheviks)

Political parties fighting for control of Russia The revolution of 1917 was not a

planned revolution. Therefore haphazard leadership and government was formed. This led to instability.

1918

January: Creation of the Council of People’s Commissars Highest government authority under

Bolsheviks March: Bolshevik party renamed

Communist party March 3, 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Treaty between Germany and Russia End of WWI for Russia

In to the 20s

January 21, 1924 Lenin dies

1927 Stalin comes in

to leadership power in Russia