Russian Revolution

From a Czar to a Man of Steel

Events in a Nutshell: “Peace, Land, Bread”

• November 1917: Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government

• November 1917: Lenin orders re-distribution of land• March 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed• 1918-1920: Civil War (Reds vs. Whites)

– Execution of Royal Family

• 1921: New Economic Policy (transition to Communism)

• 1922: Founding of the Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR))– Bolsheviks re-name selves Communist Party

The Czar vs. Lenin

Czar Nicholas II:• Autocrat• Largely incompetent• Unpopular German wife• Policies favored rich,

aristocrats• Limited reform too late• Use of secret police,

exile to silence critics

Vladimir Lenin:• Dictatorship of the

Proletariat (the Party)• State-owned property to

be shared with all• Want/need to increase

agricultural production, industry

• Cheka: secret police to identify, silence critics

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Karl Marx vs. Lenin

Karl Marx:• Class Struggle:

– Tensions between capitalists and proletariat (workers)

• Workers will overthrow capitalists

• Workers will communally own and share all equally

Vladimir Lenin:• Believes the Class

Struggle Part• Thinks proletariat will

overthrow capitalists in revolution

• Does not trust proletariat: Party should guide Communist Pipe Dream

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Ridding the World of Despots and Capitalists…

…Will bring joy and equality to the Proletariat!

Lenin Dies of Stroke, 1924

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Leon Trotsky vs. Josef Stalin

Trotsky:• Philosophical Man• Led Red Army during

Civil War• Full reform of

Agriculture before industrializing

• Seen as favorite to take over after Lenin’s Death

Stalin:• Very Undistinguished• Scary• Simultaneous

Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions

• Uncompromising• Liberal use of Secret

Police, show trials, exiling, political slave labor

Stalin Had Trotsky Assassinated…

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…and became an absolute dictator who ruled and

exploited with an iron fist.

To Discuss:

1. Does the Soviet Union deliver on its promises?

2. Is life actually better for the Soviet people? Why or why not?

3. How does the Russian Revolution compare to the French Revolution?

4. How does the Russian Revolution differ from the French Revolution?