Nicholas II- continued the tradition of Russian autocracy and wanted no change.

Rasputin- A man who believed he had healing powers. He seemed to have ease
Nicholas and Alexandras sons pain and to repay him, she let him make very
powerful political decisions. He opposed reform measures and gave powerful
political roles to his friends. He was murdered in 1916 because people feared his
increasing role in politics.
Industrialization and growth of Revolutionary movements- industrialization
made jobs for people, but had very bad working conditions, low wages, and child
labor. Unhappy workers organized strikes to try and improve their lives. Marxists
revolutionaries believed that proletarians, workers, would overthrow the czar and
rule the country. The Marxists followers split into two groups of which one was more
radical and one was more moderate.
Bolsheviks- the radical Russian Marxists revolutionists who were
willing to sacrifice everything for change.
Mensheviks- the more moderate group that wanted a broad base of
support for the revolution.
Soviets- Local councils consisting of workers, peasants, and soldiers.
In many states they often had more influence than the provisional
government.
Lenin- His real name was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. His ruthless personality helped
him gain leadership over the Bolsheviks and he fled to Western Europe to avoid
being arrested by the government. His brother was killed for planning to overthrow
the czar and this greatly influenced his actions, but he always had bad feelings
about the czar anyway. He was named the Father of the Revolution by Russians
after 1917.
Revolution of 1905- also known as Bloody Sunday and was the enormous
rebellion that sparked change in Russia.
Bloody Sunday- on January 22, 1905 about 200,000 people who were
mostly workers approached the czars Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. It was
a peaceful protest and no weapons were used, but the soldiers were ordered
to fire on the crowd killing several hundreds of men, women, and children.
This provoked more strikes across the country and czar Nicholas said he
promised more freedom. He set up a Duma, but canceled it in 10 weeks
because he was worried about sharing his power.
Russo-Japanese War- In the late 1800s Russia and Japan competed
for Korea and Manchuria. Russia and Japan signed territorial agreements but
Russia broke them. Japan struck back and reports of many Russian losses led
to revolts from people at home.
WWI- in 1914, Nicholas II drug Russia into World War 1. Russia was very unprepared
for German militaries and as a result, the Germans easily killed, wounded, or taken
prisoner of over 4 million Russian troops before a year had passed. This showed the
weakness of the czar rule and military leadership. At home, prices were inflated,
food and fuel supplies were scarce, and people from all classes were insisting there

be change and an end to the war. Neither Alexandra nor Nicholas were capable of
fixing the problems that rose.
The Two Revolutions:
March Revolution- in 1917, textile workers in Petrograd led a
citywide strike which consisted of riots that were caused by the lack of food
and fuel. The soldiers were ordered to shoot the rioters, but soon stood by
them. They wanted an end to autocracy and war. It forced Nicholas to
renounce his throne and him and his family were executed by revolutionaries.
The March Revolution collapsed the three-century ruling Romanov Dynasty,
but it could not set up a working government to replace his regime.
Provisional government- the temporary government
that the Duma established. Alexander Kerensky lead it.
Alexander Kerensky- the leader of the provisional
government that decided to stay in WWI which lost him the support of
the citizens and soldiers. Angry peasants demanded land and city
workers became more radical.
November Revolution- also known as the Bolshevik Revolution.
All power to the Soviets- The slogan people yelled in
the streets while they were rallying.
Bread, Land, and Peace- Lenins slogan that gained
widespread appeal and made him take action.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk- a Unilateral treaty with Germany. Bolsheviks took over
the country and had a truce to Germany and began peace talks. Russia surrendered
a large part of its territory to Germany and its allies. It was signed in March of 1918.
The humiliating terms of the treaty angered many Russians and they objected to
everything including the Bolsheviks and their policies.
Trotsky- A revolutionary leader that expertly commanded the Bolshevik Red Army.
Civil War- From 1918 to 1920. Bolsheviks had to fight enemies at home now. Their
opponent was the white army who was only united for the sole desire that the
Bolsheviks were defeated. They were made up of groups who opposed Lenin
socialism style, wanted return of the Czar, and wanted a democratic government.
They never communicated with each other and received aid from other countries
that was of little help. After a three year span, 14 million Russians died and the
Bolsheviks were able to keep power and maintain it. Lenin the gives the name USSR
to Russia. Which then the Bolsheviks named a Communist party.
White Army- made up of many different groups such as the
supporters of the return of the czar, democratic government supporters, and
even the socialists that all opposed of Lenins style of socialism.
Red Army- the laborers that opposed of the provisional government
that was in place at that time.
Problems? It was far more deadly than other earlier revolutions. The
civil war caused chaos and famine resulting in the deaths of over 14 million
Russians.
Results? the Red Army became victorious showing that the Bolsheviks
are capable of seizing power and maintaining it.

 Russias new name - Lenin renamed Russia the Union of Soviet

Socialist Republics in 1922.