Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic

1917-1991

Prelude to Revolution

Notes:

Alexander III was a very harsh and oppressive Tsar, creating a lot of opposition in the country

1881 - 1894

Nicholas II1894-1917

Notes:

•Weak ruler, indecisive, great self-doubt

•Marries Alexandria (German Princess) who is much stronger than he

•Mother is a dominant factor in Tsar’s life

•Tsar does not understand historic changes taking place

•17th Century thinking in 20th Century world

•Classical Education

Candid Camera!

Timeline of Events

1905 – Russo-Japanese War

Russia defeated by the Japanese for economic control in Manchuria .

Signs the Treaty of Portsmouth.

Japanese acquired land and economic interests in the southern Manchuria rail system.

Video Clip – Days that Shook the World

Revolution 1905 – Bloody Sunday

• Workers demand rights by taking a petition, led by Father Gapon, to the Tsar!

The Winter Place

1907 – Duma/Tsar Conflict (Duma has no real power used to placate the masses)1911 – Food shortages due to too much rain1914 – WWI (1 rifle for every 3 men)

1917- (Feb/March) – Tsar Resigns – he is angry about his loss of power

1917 – Feb/Oct – P.M. Kerensky – Russia has a Parliamentary Democracy

1917 – Oct/Nov – Bolshevik Revolution

1917 – Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – large territorial and population loss for Russia Lenin gains support for his promise of Peace, Land and Bread.

Video Clip

1918-1921 Civil War Reds vs. Whites

•Interference by the “Allied” powers of WWI

•Red color of communism (Bolsheviks)

•White Color of the nobility (Mensheviks)

Lenin rises to power

War Communism

• The Bolshevik government begins to collectivize farming and industry.

• Discussion:

Why wasn’t war communism successful? – Not sure? Check out page 76– Think, pair, share

Why was it difficult to institute communism?

1921 – Lenin’s N.E.P.New Economic Policy

• Re-introduce small time capitalism– Allow people to grow veggies and sell in

market or open small restaurants

– Discussion:

What is the purpose of Lenin’s N.E.P?

Was it more successful than War Communism? Why?

Soviet Council

Lenin

Trotsky Stalin

Lenin is the how to guy falls ill (stroke) and

dies.

Trotsky is the philosopher and Lenin’s choice of

successor. Has an untimely accident.

Stalin – ruthless, uses the

appointment of General Secretary to centralize power

and be rid of his opponents.

Rise of Stalin

• 1928- Stalin is leader of the USSR

• 1928 – 1933 – 1st 5 Year Plan = Collectivization

• 1933-1938 – 2nd 5 Year Plan = Heavy Industry (advances about 150 years in 10!)

• 1935 – Purges begin, great show trials; Stalin eliminates many top army officers and party officials

• Creates NKVD (i.e. Committee for Public Safety)

•The liquidation of 690 000 people in the great purge of 1937 - 38.

•The destruction of 4 million Ukrainians and 2 million other people in the man-made and systematically perpetrated “dekulakisation” famine of 1932 - 1933.

The Great Purge

Estimates range from 5 to 7 million Ukrainians killed due to Man Made Famine.

1939 – Nazi-Soviet Pact

How do the two Political Cartoons depict the relationship between the Nazis and Soviets ?

Assignment: Create a title for the cartoons.

What is the importance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

1941 – Great Patriotic War Begins

• The Soviet Union takes the side of the Allies after Germany attacks.

• Stalin rallies the Soviets with the war cry of: “We fight for Mother Russia”

• WWII Begins

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