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The Marxists Split
Russian Marxists split into two groups over revolutionary tactics. There were the moderate Mensheviks, who wanted a broad base of support. The Bolvsheviks were more radical; their leader was Lenin. -
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Decline of Autocratic Rule
From 1904 to 1917, there were a series of events that showed the czar’s weakness, which then led to the revolution. Some of these includes the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday, World War I, and the March Revolution. After the March Revolution, Czar Nicholas II was forced off the throne. This failed the citizens to set up a strong government, which then led to the establishment of a provisional government. -
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The Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan began to fight for control of Korea and Manchuria in the late 1800s. The nations split the territories after signing several agreements. Unfortunately, Russia broke them, which led to Japan attacking them in February 1904. This led to the war. -
Bloody Sunday
200,000 workers, as well as their families, went to the Winter Palace, carrying a petition that was asking for better working conditions, more freedom, and an elected national legislature. Soldiers fired into the crowd, which allowed over 1,000 people wounded, and several hundred people killed. This then led to lots of strikes and acts of violence against the Russian government -
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Russia's Involvement in World War I
Russia was not properly prepared to handle the military and economic costs. Their involvement in the war showed the weaknesses of the czar and military leadership. Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia gave up large portions of land to Germany as well as to its allies. -
March Revolution
March 1917, women textile workers led to a citywide strike. Throughout the next five days, riots started over bread and fuel shortages. Over 200,000 workers were in the streets. Soldiers originally shot the rioters, but stopped, coming into agreement with the rioters. -
Lenin Returns
Lenin reached Petrograd, Russia, after being exiled for many years, thanks to Germany. -
The Bolshevik Revolution
Factory workers stormed the palace and toook over government offices, as well as arresting leaders of the provisional government. These factory workers called themselves the Bolshevik Red Guards.This was where the provisional government was removed, and it was replaced with the radical Bolshevik government, and they declared all people equal. Mentions point 6, reason that the working class rebelled, and it mentions point 7, which led citizens to fight for nationalism -
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Russian Civil War
The war took place because many groups had formed that opposed the Bolsheviks ruling the Russian government. -
Lenin Puts Aside His Plan
Lenin temporarily put aside his plan for a state-controlled economy. Instead, he decided to start a small version of capitalism. This is called the New Economic Policy. -
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Stalin's Climb to Power
Stalin begins his climb to power. This window of opportunity occurred because Lenin had a stroke, so someone needed to step up, and in this case it was Stalin.Lenin suffers a stroke, which creates an opening for Stalin to rise to power. Stalin also builds a totalitarian state. This is a government that takes total state control over every aspect of public and private life. -
Trotsky v. Stalin
Power struggle emerged between Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin following Lenin’s death. Trotsky thought that communism should spread from Russia to other parts of the world; Stalin thought Communists had enough to accomplish in Russia, let alone expanding it across the world. Connection to 2nd point. Trotsky wanted to spread communism beyond Russia; Stalin wanted to keep communism active ONLY in Russia. -
A New Constitution
The communists created a constitution based on socialist and democratic principles. -
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Increased Steel Production
Industrial production of steel increased over 25%; now only Great Britain, U.S., and Germany had larger production of steel -
Russia Becomes Command Economy
Stalin began a command economy- a system where a government makes all economic decisions. This includes making investments, productions, prices, and incomes. -
Transforms the Soviet Union
Stalin had transformed the Soviet Union into a industrial and political power, and was dictator of Russia, only accepting conformity from his people. Mentions to 5th point (Fear of difference). -
The Great Purge
Stalin launched the Great Purge, which was a campaign of terror, that eliminated anyone that threatened Stalin’s authority. 20 million people were sent to labor camps, and roughly half of them were killed. Mention connection to 5th point fear of diversity, because he didn't want anyone opposing him. There is reference to point 13, which is selective populism. -
The Communist Party
Stalin presided complete control over Communist Party and Soviet government, he transformed the Soviet Union into an industrial and political power, he maintained his power over the Communist Party.
