Gianna Rocca

Block 1
Task #1
Russian Revolution Terms Identified

Nicholas II- (1894-1917) The last Romanov Tsar. Nicholas II possessed total power. In fact, he
became czar in 1894 and continued the tradition of autocracy.
Rasputin- Rasputin was a self-described holy man who had to claim to have magical healing
powers. Czarina Alexandra fell under the influence of Rasputin while running the government
when Nicholas was away. Alexandra allowed Rasputin to make key political decisions in return
for his help to ease her son, Alexis, symptoms of hemophilia. He opposed reform measures and
obtained powerful positions for his friends. Eventually, Rasputin was murdered by a group of
nobles due to their fear of his increasing role in government affairs.
Industrialization and growth of Revolutionary Movements- Rapid industrialization changed
the Russian economy. As a result of these rapid changes: the raise of taxes, higher factory
numbers, and many problems arose such as: child labor, low wages, grueling work conditions.
As a result, revolutionary movements increased and began to compete for power.
The Marxists revolutionaries were a group who followed the views of Karl Marx. Marxists
revolutionaries originally believed that industrial class of workers would overthrow the czar.
These workers then formed a proletariat, meaning that the workers would rule the country. That
is until 1903, when Russian Marxists split into two groups over revolutionary tactics.
Bolsheviks-The Bolsheviks were more radical and supported a small number of committed
revolutionaries willing to sacrifice everything for a change. Because of his engaging personality,
ruthlessness, and excellent organization, Vladimir Ilyich gained command of the Bolsheviks and
consequently adopted the name Lenin.
Mensheviks- These were the more moderate Mensheviks who wanted a broad base of popular
support for the revolution.
Soviets- Soviets were formed by Socialist revolutionaries competing for power. In many cases,
the soviets had more influence than the provisional government. Soviets were local councils
consisting of workers, peasants, and soldiers.
The first- Ended the tsars autocratic rule and put the Duma (Provisional government) in controlMarch Revolution
Democracy
Constitutional monarchy
Second: Ended the Democracy- Lenin- Bolshevik Revolution
Lenin- Also known as Vladimir Ilyich, led the Bolsheviks and eventually gained control of the
Petrograd soviets and the soviets in other major Russian cities. Soon after, people in the cities
were rallying to call All power to the soviets. Due to this, Lenin decided to take action, and his
slogan: Peace, Land, and Bread, gained widespread appeal. Lenin and the Bolsheviks were in
power, and within days he ordered the government to sign a peace treaty with Germany, and
ordered that all farmland be distributed to peasants. Overall, Lenin turned to reviving the
economy and restructuring the government.

Revolution of 1905- Also known as Bloody Sunday, the Revolution of 1905 occurred on
January 22, 1905. About 200,000 workers and their families approached the czars winter
palace in St. Petersburg. The citizens carried a petition asking for more personal freedom,
better working conditions, and an elected national legislature; however, Nicholass generals
ordered soldiers to fire on the crowd. More than 1,000 were wounded and several hundred were
killed. In all, this event led to Russias first parliament known as the Duma: its leaders were
moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy.
Russo-Japanese War- In the late 1800s, Russia and Japan competed for control of Korea and
Manchuria. Despite how the two nations signed a series of agreements over the territories,
Russia broke them, and Japan retaliated by attacking Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria. This
led to a revolt in the midst of the war.
Bloody Sunday- This event was quickly named by Russians after the citizens who peacefully
protested for a petition got fired on by soldiers. Bloody Sunday provoked a wave of strikes and
violence that spread across the country.
WWI: Because of Nicholas II, Russia was dragged into World War I. Russia was no match for
Germany however: German equipment advanced Russias by thousands, and Russias weak
generals and poorly equipped troops did not last. Russia was unprepared to handle the military
and economic costs in the first place. As a result of Russias involvement in the war, Russias
weakness of czarist rule and military influence was revealed. Nevertheless, at the end of WWI,
eight million Russians died.
Two Revolutions: The two revolutions are the March Revolution and the November Revolution.
These revolutions are Bolshevik Revolutions.
March Revolution - Provisional Government-Alexander Kerensky- In March 1917, women
textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike in disagreement with autocracy and the war.
Nearly 20,000 workers flooded the streets. At first, soldiers obeyed orders to shoot the rioters
but later sided with them. Leaders of the Duma established a provisional government, a
temporary government. Alexander Kerenskys decision to keep fighting in the war cost him both
soldiers and civilians. Peasants wanted more land and city workers grew more radical.
November Revolution- also known as the Bolshevik Revolution. Lenin and Bolsheviks gained
control of the Petrograd soviet as well as the soviets in other major Russian cities. The slogans:
All power to the Soviets and Bread, land, and peace were used to appeal to civilians.
All power to the Soviets: By fall of 1917, people in the cities of Russia were rallying to call
that power should be given to the soviets.
Bread, land, and peace: This was Lenins slogan that gained widespread appeal.
Treaty of the Brest-Litovsk -unilateral treaty with Germany- In March 1918, Russia and
Germany signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty. Russia surrendered a large proportion of its land to
Germany and its allies which consequently triggered widespread anger among the Russians
due the humiliating terms of this treaty. To follow, they then objected to the Bolsheviks and their
policies and to the murder of the royal family.
Trotsky- Leon Trotsky was a revolutionary leader who expertly commanded the Bolshevik Red
army.
Civil War- From 1918 to 1920 the civil war raged in Russia. The two groups in Russia fought
over whether or not the czar should return to power or if there should be democracy in Russia.
In the end of this deadly war, the Red Army crushed all opposition. The victory showed that the
Bolsheviks were able to seize power and maintain it.

White Army- who made this army? The white army was made up of many different groups.
This army was led by Alexander Kolchak. This group included some that were in favor of
democracy and others that were in favor of czar rule. Even though these groups barely got
along, they were all united by the fact that they wanted to defeat the Red army.
Red Army- who made this army? Leon Trotsky, the revolutionary leader, commanded the
Bolshevik Red army. In the end, the Red army proved itself to be more strong and powerful due
to its two-year victories in the civil war against the White Armies.
Problems? There were many long-term effects after the civil war. The Russian revolution
attempted to destroy the existing social and political structures. However, war and revolution
destroyed the Russian economy. Trade was at a standstill. Industrial production dropped, and
many skilled workers fled to other countries.
Results? In the end, Lenin returned to reviving the economy and restructuring the government.
In March 1921, Lenin resorted a small scaled version of capitalism called the New Economic
Policy. The reform under the NEP allows peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning
them over to the government. The government kept control of business and also encouraged
foreign investment.
New name Lenin gives to Russia- Lenin gives Russia the name U.S.S.R., meaning the Union
of Soviet Socialists Republic, in honor of the councils that have helped relaunch the Bolshevik
Revolution.