The Russian The Russian RevolutionRevolution19171917

Cause 1 – Problems for the Cause 1 – Problems for the PeasantsPeasantsBefore the Revolution, 75% of peasants lived in villages like this one:

What are the houses What are the houses in this picture made in this picture made of?of?

How can you tell the How can you tell the people are very people are very poor?poor?

What do you think it What do you think it was like to live in this was like to live in this village during the village during the winter?winter?

date.

Problems for the Problems for the PeasantsPeasants

Until 1861, the peasants were serfsUntil 1861, the peasants were serfs They could not move away from the landThey could not move away from the land Their owners could buy and sell themTheir owners could buy and sell them

In 1861, the Czar freed the serfsIn 1861, the Czar freed the serfs The peasants received land but needed to The peasants received land but needed to

pay the government back.pay the government back. They were very poorThey were very poor Most could not read or writeMost could not read or write

Problems for the Problems for the PeasantsPeasants

A very small number of people had most A very small number of people had most of the wealth.of the wealth.

They owned most of the land.They owned most of the land. The Russian Orthodox Church was also The Russian Orthodox Church was also

very powerful.very powerful.

Cause 2 – Problems for the Cause 2 – Problems for the WorkersWorkersWorkers in a Russian factory, 1913

Industrial ExpansionIndustrial Expansion

In the early 1900’s the Russian government wanted In the early 1900’s the Russian government wanted factories so…. factories so….

Russia could become Russia could become rich and powerfulrich and powerful like Britain, like Britain, the USA and Germany. the USA and Germany. These countries had been through the Industrial Revolution. These countries had been through the Industrial Revolution.

Industry was also needed to strengthen Russia’s ability Industry was also needed to strengthen Russia’s ability to to defend defend herself. herself. To win a war, a country needed large industries to produce To win a war, a country needed large industries to produce

ammunition and railway lines to equip and transport armies. ammunition and railway lines to equip and transport armies.

Source #1Source #1

In the early 1900’s Russian industry grew In the early 1900’s Russian industry grew very quickly. Industrial workers had very very quickly. Industrial workers had very hard lives. They suffered long hours and hard lives. They suffered long hours and dangerous conditions for very low pay. dangerous conditions for very low pay.

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Source #2Source #2

The speed of industrialisation led to The speed of industrialisation led to overcrowding in the cities. Many slept in overcrowding in the cities. Many slept in their factories while others lived in their factories while others lived in uncomfortable barracks and those uncomfortable barracks and those fortunate to find a flat or a room often had fortunate to find a flat or a room often had to share with several other families.to share with several other families.

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Source #3Source #3Russian and German Industrialization in 1913Russian and German Industrialization in 1913

Germany Russia

Coal (millions of tonnes)

190.0 36.0

Pig Iron (millions of tonnes)

6.8 4.6

Steel (millions of tonnes)

8.3 4.8

Railways (thousands of kilometers)

64.0 65.0

What does this mean?

Source #4Source #4

Year Number of Strikes

1910 222

1911 466

1912 2032

1913 2404

1914 4098

Source #5Source #5 It was difficult for the Czar (Russia’s ruler) to help It was difficult for the Czar (Russia’s ruler) to help

the workers. Many Russian factories were owned the workers. Many Russian factories were owned by foreign companies who invested in Russia by foreign companies who invested in Russia because it cost so little to employ Russian because it cost so little to employ Russian workers. If the Czar passed laws making the workers. If the Czar passed laws making the foreign companies pay the Russian workers foreign companies pay the Russian workers more the foreign companies might take their more the foreign companies might take their business elsewhere instead. This would ruin the business elsewhere instead. This would ruin the process of Industrialisation that Russia needed. process of Industrialisation that Russia needed.

What does this mean?What does this mean?

From your notes, answer these questions:From your notes, answer these questions:(you can work with the person next to you)

1.1. List as many problems for the workers in Russian city List as many problems for the workers in Russian city factories as you can. factories as you can.

2.2. Why did many people in Russia go to the cities to work even Why did many people in Russia go to the cities to work even though conditions were terrible?though conditions were terrible?

3.3. Why would Russia want to industrialize (build factories to Why would Russia want to industrialize (build factories to produce goods)?produce goods)?

Cause 3 – Bad GovernmentCause 3 – Bad Government

The Family of Czar The Family of Czar Nicholas IINicholas II

Nicholas Romanov (Czar Nicholas Romanov (Czar Nicholas II) Nicholas II)

Alexandra (his wife) Alexandra (his wife) They had 5 children. They had 5 children.

Olga (born 1895)Olga (born 1895) Tatiana (born 1897)Tatiana (born 1897) Maria (born 1899)Maria (born 1899) Anastasia (born 1901)Anastasia (born 1901) Alexei (born 1904) Alexei (born 1904)

What’s a Czar?

Russian Kings called themselves Czar, Russian Kings called themselves Czar, which means ‘emperor’. which means ‘emperor’.

The Czar ruled on his own, with a few The Czar ruled on his own, with a few ministers that he chose himselfministers that he chose himself

People did not have the right to votePeople did not have the right to vote Most Czars ruled in a harsh mannerMost Czars ruled in a harsh manner

Czar Nicholas IICzar Nicholas II

Nicholas became Czar in 1894Nicholas became Czar in 1894 He had trouble making decisionsHe had trouble making decisions He did not want Russia to modernizeHe did not want Russia to modernize He wanted to have He wanted to have absolute powerabsolute power

The 1905 RevolutionThe 1905 Revolution

On January 22, a large group of people On January 22, a large group of people marched on the Czar’s home, the Winter marched on the Czar’s home, the Winter PalacePalace

It was a peaceful demonstrationIt was a peaceful demonstration They were asking for higher wages and better They were asking for higher wages and better

working conditionsworking conditions Instead, soldiers opened fire on themInstead, soldiers opened fire on them At least 200 people were killedAt least 200 people were killed

The Czar’s DecisionsThe Czar’s Decisions

You have an envelope in front of you. In You have an envelope in front of you. In it are the events that followed Bloody it are the events that followed Bloody Sunday. Please put the events in order Sunday. Please put the events in order with the person you sit next to.with the person you sit next to.

The Czar’s DecisionsThe Czar’s Decisions

Right answers: Right answers: F, I, B, A, C, J, G, H, E, DF, I, B, A, C, J, G, H, E, D

The Czar’s DecisionsThe Czar’s Decisions

Looking at the Czar’s Decisions, make a list:Looking at the Czar’s Decisions, make a list: Which ones were good decisions?Which ones were good decisions? Which ones were bad?Which ones were bad?

Which of the Czar’s decisions helped him the Which of the Czar’s decisions helped him the most? Which hurt him?most? Which hurt him?

Which of the Czar’s decisions helped the Which of the Czar’s decisions helped the people the most?people the most?

Finally…Finally…

Look over your notes from the past few Look over your notes from the past few days.days.

List as many reasons as you can think of List as many reasons as you can think of why people in Russia would be unhappy why people in Russia would be unhappy with their government.with their government.