The Russian Revolution was caused by social, political, economic, and military factors in the early 20th century. Dissatisfaction with the absolute rule of the Czars grew as most Russians lived in poverty with poor working conditions and limited freedoms. This led to the overthrow of the Czars in 1917 and the establishment of a Communist government led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks who promised reforms. However, the new government struggled with ongoing World War I and a subsequent civil war, leaving Russia in a weakened state. Stalin later consolidated power and ruled the Soviet Union as a totalitarian dictator, implementing repressive policies that killed millions and strictly controlled all aspects of life.

1. The Russian RevolutionHow it unfolds…

2. Social CausesMost of Russia’s population was poor peasantsThere was almost no middle class, so most business owners were foreignProletariat (workers) had low wages and poor working conditionsReformers like Lenin and the Bolsheviks encouraged Communist Revolution

3. Political CausesRussia was ruled by absolute monarchs called CzarsCzars limited rights and freedoms; used censorship and secret police to keep orderCzars were unable to solve Russia’s problems

4. Economic CausesMost Russians were poorRussia’s industry was mostly owned by foreign businessmenGeneral lack of money; economic stagnationFood and fuel shortages

5. Military Causes1904- Russo-Japanese War: Fought over control of land in China. Russia’s loss = 1st time a Western power looses to a non-Western country. People angry and embarrassed1905 Revolution: Palace guards kill unarmed protestors1914-1918: World War I: It’s an expensive blood bath, people demand peace

6. The March Revolution: 1917Begins as a workers strike in Petrograd demanding breadCzar Nicholas II orders army to disperse the protestorsArmy refuses to fire on peopleCzar Nicholas realizes he is powerless and resignsProvisional government established, and Soviets rule locally

7. November RevolutionWorld War I still going, no problems have been solved.Lenin and Bolsheviks promise “Peace, Land, and Bread”Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional GovernmentNew Communist government established with Lenin in Charge

8. The Russian Civil War 1918-1921Communists (Red Army) fight royalists (White Army)Western powers, fearing communism, support the WhitesBoth sides commit atrocitiesLenin uses War Communism: putting all of the nations economy directly into fighting the warRed army wins, but Russia is in ruins

9. The Soviet Union (USSR)After 1921 Lenin rules RussiaNew Economic Policy (mixes some capitalism into the communist economy) helps rebuild the Russian economyLenin creates the Soviet Union, then dies in 1924Stalin becomes the new leader of the USSR

10. Stalin’s RussiaStalin wanted to create a truly communist stateStalin took the land away and created collectives, government owned farmsWhen the peasants resisted, Stalin punished them

11. Stalin’s Five Year PlansStalin wanted to create a truly communist stateStalin took the land away and created collectives, government owned farmsWhen the peasants resisted, Stalin punished themMillions die

12. Life in a Totalitarian StateStalin ruled as a tyrant, controlling all aspects of his governmentHe used secret police to spy on the peopleArt and music were controlled and became propagandaDissidents were punished, usually by being exiled to labor camps in Siberia

13. Life in a Totalitarian State

14. Cult of PersonalityStalin controlled art, music and culture as a way of glorifying himselfHe took over churches and turned them into museums of communismHe was always portrayed as the savior of the peopleThose who disagreed didn’t last long!

16. The Great PurgeStalin’s Reign of TerrorHe tried to get rid of people who posed a threatThis included kulaks, Jews, intellectuals, military officers, and so onBy the end, the USSR was weak and nearly lost WWII to the Germans!

17. Into the Future…Stalin ruled as a ruthless dictator through WWII and into the 1950sHe allied with the USA and Britain against the Nazis in WWIIAfter WWII, the USSR entered into the Cold War with the USA and the other Western democracies