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Czar Nicholas Rule
Czar Nicholas followed the same practices as Alexander III, and he continued the traditions of Russian autocracy. -
Industrialization
Nicholas wanted to move Russia forward, and he wanted to buildup Russian industries. Russia was ranked fourth in the production of steel, however rapid Industrialization led to horrible working conditions, low wages, and child labor. This would eventually lead to strikes. -
Development of Revolutionary Groups
Groups were formed to protest the negative affects of Industrialization. One group was formed based on Karl Marx's idea, and they believed that industrial class would overthrow the czar. Then the group split into two new ones. One wanted support of the revolution known as the Mensheviks, and the more radical group were willing to sacrifice anything for change known as the Bolsheviks, and they were led by Lenin. -
Bloody Sunday
Workers and families went out to petition better working conditions and more freedom. Soldiers fired on the people and killed more than 1000 people, and became known as "Bloody Sunday". This led to the creation of the first Russian parliament called Duma. -
World War I
Russia was unprepared to join the war, but they did anyway. In a year 4 million Russian soldiers had been killed. The war showed the weakness in the czar power.When Nicholas left to move his headquarters to the front of war, he left his wife Czarina Alexandra in charge of the government. She ignored the chief advisors and in tead fell under the influence of Rasputin which is a holy man who claimed to have healing powers. He was allowed to make political decisions but was murdered -
The March Revolution
Women textile workers let a citywide strike who workined in the Petrograd. For five days riots began due to shortages in bread and fuel. About 200,000 workers swarmed streets saying "Down with autocracy, down with war". Soldiers were told to shoot rioters, but they eventually began siding with the people. -
The Czar Steps Down
The March Revolution forced Czar Nicholas to leave his throne. He was later executed. However, the revolution failed to put in a strong governemtn, so the duma established the provisional government, which is a temporary government. Alexander Kerensky was in charge, but his continued fighting in the war made him lose support from civilians and soldiers. The soviets which are socialist revolutionaries were more influential than him. -
The Bolshevik Revolution
Armed factory owners stomered Winter Palace, and they arrested members of the provisional government and took over government offices. Lenin ordered farmland be distributed to peasants, he took control over factories. A civil war began in Russia, the Red Guards against the White army. Even though members of the white army believed in different ideals, they all wanted to defeat the Bolsheviks. The Red Army won, leaving the Bolsheviks in power, but the war left about 14 million people dead. -
Lenin in Power
After the war, Russia's economy was destroye,Industrial production declined, and trade was at a standstill. Lenin put into place the New Economic Policy (NEP) which allowed peasants to sell their crops instead of giving it to the government. But, it maintained control over major industries and banks. In 1922, the country was named Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and then started practicing Communism. The Communist Party had all the power and it became a dictatorship. -
Stalin becomes a Dictator
Lenin had a stroke, and then Stalin began his climb to head the government. Orginally he was the general secretary, and he secretly moved his supporters into positions of power. Lenin thought that Stalin was dangerous. In 1928 Stalin gained control of the Communist Party.
