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Bell Ringer

What caused the United States to enter WWI? How did our entrance impact the course of the war?

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The Russian Revolution

1917

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Essential Question

What were the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917, and why did the Bolsheviks prevail in the civil war and gain control of Russia?

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The Russian Revolution

  • Russia experienced a complete collapse in 1917
  • Tsar Nicholas II relied on the army and bureaucracy to uphold his regime
  • Russian industry could not keep up with the war- 2 million Russians died in two years- 4-6 million wounded
  • The royal family regarded Rasputin as a holy man- influenced government decisions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEf1ep3O9I

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The March Revolution

  • The Women’s March in Petrograd (St. Petersburg)-March 8th, 1917 demanding peace and bread
  • Soldiers joined the demonstrators making the situation out of control
  • Nicholas abdicated his throne March 15th
  • Provisional government took place
  • Faced problems with the soviets-represented more radical interests

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Russian Government

  • Marxist Democratic Party was divided into two factions: Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
  • Bolsheviks came under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin
  • Dedicated to violent revolution that would destroy the capitalist system
  • Wrote his April Theses to outline revolution
  • Soviets won over the masses-Peasants began seizing land

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The Bolshevik Revolution

  • July 1917- Lenin was forced to flee to Finland
  • Alexander Kerensky became the prime minister of the provisional government
  • By the end of October, the Bolsheviks had majority
  • provisional government collapsed with the help of Leon Trotsky
  • Lenin returned and declared the land nationalized and promised peace

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Civil War

  • Bolsheviks faced much opposition from loyalists and anti-socialist
  • 1918-1921, the Bolshevik (Red) Army fought on many fronts
  • July 16th, 1918, the Romanov family were murdered
  • By 1921, the Communists had succeeded in retaining control of Russia
  • Lenin became the founder of the Soviet Union

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uel_RBJUHuU

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Candy Time!

What were some key events of the Russian Revolution?

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Homework

Study Guide due Friday