Factors that led to the Russian Revolution

Rasputin's Fate

In December 1916, Rasputin was assassinated by a group of nobles

Autocratic policies of the czars and their resistance to change

Inflamed the masses

Rasputin

-"Holy man" and "healer" who influenced Alexandra -Alexandra believed he alone could heal Alexei -In actuality was an illiterate peasant, womanizer, and drunk -He influenced government decision and appointments to disastrous result

Bloody Sunday

-*1905 in St. Petersburg* -*Unarmed peace demonstrations* led by an orthodox priest marched to the Winter Palace to *present a petition of grievances* to Tsar Nicholas II -They were *gunned down* by the *imperial guard* -Event came with *grave consequences for the tsarist regime*, as the blatant *disregard for ordinary people* shown by the massacre *undermined support for the state* -Massacre provoked a *wave of strikes and violence* across the country -Nicholas was forced to *promise more freedoms* and *create the Duma* (1st parliament that was dissolved within a year)

The Russo-Japanese War

-Losses sparked unrest at home, revealed the czar's weaknesses, and led to revolt in the middle of the war -Nicholas had been advised against fighting the war - he underestimated Japan and suffered a humiliating defeat

World War I

-Russia's performance revealed the weaknesses of czarist rule and military leadership -Morale in the country was destroyed -Russian soldiers mutinied, deserted, and ignored orders

Lack of industrialization and economic growth

-The *royals lived in splendor* -*The people* endured a *low standard of living*, *grueling working conditions*, *low wages*, and *child labor* -*Enormous gap* between the rich and poor *led to unrest*

What brought the monarchy to a collapse?

1. Disasters on the battlefields 2. Corruption in the government 3. Food and fuel shortages

Why was Nicholas going to the front a disastrous blunder?

1. He was incompetent 2. He left the government to Czarina Alexandra, who knew little about government. The public also mistrusted her because she's German born

Factors that led to revolution

1. The autocratic policies of the czars and their resistance to change 2. Lack of industrialization and economic growth 3. The Russo-Japanese War 4. Bloody Sunday 5. World War I

Where did Nicholas go in WWI?

To the front to take personal charge