The document discusses the antecedents and key events of the Russian Revolutions of 1917. It describes the oppressive rule of the Czars that led to social unrest, and events like Bloody Sunday that intensified calls for change. It introduces important revolutionary figures like Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin and their roles in leading factions like the Bolsheviks. The revolutions overthrew the monarchy and established a provisional democratic government, but the Bolsheviks later seized power and formed the Soviet Union under Lenin's communist leadership. The revolutions were followed by a lengthy civil war that took millions of lives and devastated the economy.

1. Russian RevolutionsRussian Revolutions

2. Antecedents of Russian Revolution
•During the XIX century Russia lived in an almost feudal system. The
cruel and oppressive autocratic rule of the czars caused social unrest
because of the awful life and working conditions.
•Late 1800’s. Russo – Japanese War. Russia and Japan firm a peace
treaty. Russia keeps Manchuria and Japan keeps Korea.
•1894. Czar Nicolas II succeeds in throne. He continues with policies as:
oCensorship code
oSecret Police
oReligious persecution
oIndustrialization
It promotes Strikes and the rice of Marxist Movements
•1903 Marxists split into two:
oMensheviks (Moderates)
oBolsheviks with Lenin (Radicals)
•Russia breaks Russo – Japanese treaty and Japan attacks Manchuria
(Russian territory)

3. •1905 “Bloody Sunday” workers are killed in a protest in St.
Petersburg
•Because of the social unrest the Czar creates the DUMA (Russian
1st
Parliament). He closes it after 10 weeks.
•1914 Russia enters in WWI
•1915 The Czar goes to the front but soldiers don’t respond to
him showing his weakness
•1915 Czarina Alexandra rules at home
•1917 “March Revolution” to end autocracy and war.
•The Czar abdicates
•DUMA provisional government starts on the head of Alexander
Kerensky
•Kerensky continues with WWI and has to leave the government
•Socialist revolutionaries form SOVIETS (Local Councils)
•April, 1917. Lenin returns to Russia

4. Tsar Nicholas II
• Nikolai Aleksandrovich Romanov was born
• in 1868, the eldest son of Tsar Alexander III.
• In 1894, his father died and he became tsar;
• he continued the tradition of Russian autocracy. He
married Alexandra Feodorovna and they had five
children.
• In 1914, he took Russia into WWI which revealed his
weaknesses of rule and military leadership.
• In 1917 he was forced to abdicate his throne and a year
later Nicholas and his family were executed by the
Bolsheviks.

5. Leaders of the Russian Revolution
Russian MarxistsRussian Marxists
1.1.MensheviksMensheviks
2.2.Bolsheviks (Red Army)Bolsheviks (Red Army)
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov “Lenin” (1870-1924)Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov “Lenin” (1870-1924)
• Lenin’s brother was hanged for plotting to kill the czar(1887), so heLenin’s brother was hanged for plotting to kill the czar(1887), so he
harbored ill feelings against the government.harbored ill feelings against the government.
• The major leader of the Bolsheviks , ruthless, planned to overthrowThe major leader of the Bolsheviks , ruthless, planned to overthrow
the czar by the early 1900s.the czar by the early 1900s.
• He fled to avoid his arrest by the czarist regime; in 1917 he returnedHe fled to avoid his arrest by the czarist regime; in 1917 he returned
to Russia and Bolsheviks were in power.to Russia and Bolsheviks were in power.
• Lenin’s communist state –the Union of Soviet Socialist RepublicsLenin’s communist state –the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(USSR)- became one-party, totalitarian system.(USSR)- became one-party, totalitarian system.
• He suffered a stroke in 1922, and, unable to be the head of hisHe suffered a stroke in 1922, and, unable to be the head of his
Party, died in 1924.Party, died in 1924.

6. Leon TrotskyLeon Trotsky
• Revolutionary leader.Revolutionary leader.
• Commanded the Bolshevik Red Army, while civil war raged in RussiaCommanded the Bolshevik Red Army, while civil war raged in Russia
from 1928 to 1920.from 1928 to 1920.
• He was one of the most notable men when Lenin’s incident set inHe was one of the most notable men when Lenin’s incident set in
motion competition for heading up the Communist Party.motion competition for heading up the Communist Party.
• Trotsky was forced to exile in 1929, and was no longer a threat forTrotsky was forced to exile in 1929, and was no longer a threat for
Stalin.Stalin.
Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin
• Cold, hard, and impersonal. During his early days as a Bolshevik, heCold, hard, and impersonal. During his early days as a Bolshevik, he
change his name to Stalin, which means “man of steel”.change his name to Stalin, which means “man of steel”.
• As Trotsky, he was also a commander of the Red Army.As Trotsky, he was also a commander of the Red Army.
• Between 1922 and 1927, he began his ruthless climb to the head ofBetween 1922 and 1927, he began his ruthless climb to the head of
the government. He started to be a general secretary, moving histhe government. He started to be a general secretary, moving his
supporters into positions of power.supporters into positions of power.
• By 1928, Stalin was in total command of the Communist Party.By 1928, Stalin was in total command of the Communist Party.

7. How did people react before and
during the Revolution?

8. •People were disconted because of the rapid
industrialization stired them.
•The growth of factories brought new problems,
such as grueling working conditions, miserably
law wages and child labor.
•Bloody Sunday: The Revolution of 1905 or
January 22; about 200.000 workers and their
families approached the Czar’s Winter Palace un
St. Petersburg fought for the rights (such as:
better working conditions, more personal
freedom and an elected national legislature).

9. •More than 1.000 people were wounded and
several hundred were killed (into Bloody Sunday).
•Civil War Rages in Russia between 1918-1920
(White Army) Some supported return to rule by
Czar and others who wanted the democratic
government.

10. Consequences

11. Consequences
Russian Civil War
14 million deaths
(between the three year struggle
and the big famine)

12. 
- War and revolution destroyed Russian economy.War and revolution destroyed Russian economy.
- Lenin turned to reviving the economy and restructuring- Lenin turned to reviving the economy and restructuring
the government applying “the new economic policy”.the government applying “the new economic policy”.
- In 1922 the country is named USSR.- In 1922 the country is named USSR.
- In 1928 as Lenin suffered a stroke, Stalin takes the- In 1928 as Lenin suffered a stroke, Stalin takes the
command of the Comunist Party and he becames acommand of the Comunist Party and he becames a
dictator.dictator.