ww1 and russian revolution

World War I

"Great War" from 1914 to 1918 between the allies (Russia, France, British Empire, Italy, United States, Japan, Rumania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Montenegro) and the central powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria)

Rasputin

"Holy man" who held influence over the tsar and tsarina because of his hold on Alexi (young royal son and heir) who was a haemophiliac. Rasputin "seemed" capable of stopping the bleeding. Royal family thought he had special powers. He started having undue influence on appointments, etc. Added to alienation of people from govt. Rumors that he was having an affair with the tsarina while tsar away at front in WW I. Finally assassinated by group of nobles at court in 1916 but after damage to reputation of royal family been done.

Bolsheviks

"Majority group", Led by Vladimir Lenin, it was the Russian communist party that took over the Russian goverment during WWI. They established the Soviet Union, and became the majority communist party. They were a group of revolutionaries who wanted to create a group of proletariats in Russia without a class for the bourgeoisie.

More political causes

1) Boundaries of Middle east redrawn, intro of new states and leaders, sparked long term crises and problems that continue today 2) Women acquired right to vote throughout most of Europe 3) Status of working class increased 4) U.S.'s position in world was elevated 5) Break up of Ottoman Empire 6) Rise of Turkish Republic 7) Increased involvement of government in society 8) Increased propoganda

More economic effects

1) German mark devalued tremendously 2) War debt shifted world's financial center from England to the U.S. 3) Property damages were quite heavy in Europe, particularly France 4) War strained resources of each country to maximum

Russian Civil War

1918-1920: conflict in which the Red Army successfully defended the newly formed Bolshevik government against various Russian and interventionist anti-Bolshevik armies. Red vs. White Army.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)

1922. The old empires's new organization uniting all of the formerly autonomous regions into a single cultural identity. Dissolved in 1991.

War Communism

A system introduced under Bolshevik rule after 1917 which involved land being seized and redistributed, factories given to the workers, banks being nationalized, and church property being granted to the state. This was enforced by the Cheka.

Social Revolutionaries

Also known as Narodniks, Slavophile party, directly opposed the Russian Duma and performed acts of terrorism, both political and agrarian, in order to get their points across. This broke off into the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

V.I. Lenin

Believed in Marxist Socialism: 1) Believed capitalism must be destroyed. 2) A social revolution was possible in backward Russia. 3) The need for highly trained workers partly controlled by revolutionaries like himself., led the communist revolution, was the leader of the Bolsheviks, ruled Russia

Reds

Bolsheviks

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

Federal system of socialist republics established in 1923 in various ethnic regions of Russia; firmly controlled by Communist party; diminished nationalities protest under Bolsheviks; dissolved 1991.

The Dictatorship of the Proletariat

In Marxist socio-political thought, a socialist state in which the proletariat, or the working class, has control of political power.

Comintern

International Communist organization founded in Moscow in March 1919 that intended to fight "by all available means, including armed force, for the overthrow of the international bourgeoisie and for the creation of an international Soviet republic as a transition stage to the complete abolition of the State."

Causes and effects of the Russian Revolution (1917-21)

Russians rose up and overthrew Czarist dynasty, kicks Romanovs out of power; provisional democratic government (communism in November) is established; Phase 1= March (overthrow Czarism) 1917, Phase 2= November (communism); March-Nov; democratic→ helped US get into WWI

Cheka

Secret police set up by Lenin-arrested "enemies of the revolution".

Russian Revolution of 1905

Spontaneous rebellion that erupted in Russia after the country's defeat at the hands of Japan in 1905; the revolution was suppressed, but it forced the government to make substantial reforms. Consisted of strikes by urban workers and widespread insurrections among the peasantry; resulted in some temporary reforms such as the creation of the duma.

Bolsheviks

When: 1917 What: A wing of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers Party which was led by Lenin and seized control of the government in Russia in October 1917 and became the dominant political power.

Treaty of Portsmouth

(1905) The treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War. It granted Japan Chinese port city trading rights, control of Manchuria, the annexation of the island of Sakhalin, and Korea became its protectorate.

Social Effects

1) Growing distrust with political and government officials over some of the horrors of the war and the reluctance that government officials had toward pursuing peace during the war 2) Tremendous sense of loss and anger in some parts of Western Europe where 1 in 4 young men died in battle; the war killed 10-13 million people

Germany was singled out for harsh treatment

1) It was forced to sign humiliating treaty accepting blame for causing war and ordered to pay compensation for it 2) Size of German state was reduced, while Italy and France was enlarged 3) Weimar government not liked by most of citizens and maintained little power in controlling the German state 4) Many German soldiers refused to give up fighting, even though military ordered to be drastically reduced

More economic causes

1) Many social customs faded out, and society became more open (for a time) 2) Rapid development of new technology 3) Disruption of world trade

Political effects

1) Socialist ideas experienced a boom in Europe, spreading from Germany and the Austrian Empire to Britain and France 2) Republic became the most popular type of government to gain influence after the war in Europe 3) 1919 Treaty of Versailles had deleterious effects on the post-war environment as it caused hostilities and resentment that later paved the way for WWII

Economic effects

1) Technology changes tremendously after war, in part b/c of developments in mass production made during war, like automobiles, airplanes, radios, even certain chemicals 2) War debt caused European governments to print more and more money, only to spur uncontrollable inflation 3) Members of middle class who had been living reasonably on investments began to experience rocky financial period

October Revolution (Results)

1. Bolsheviks renamed Communists 2. Industries nationalized, 3. Russian Orthodox church lands seized, 4. Russia pulled out of WWII, 5. Private bank accounts confiscate and banks nationalized, 6. Wages fixed higher, workday fixed shorter, 7. Foreign debts denied.

Gregori Rasputin

1869-1916. The Mad Monk, gained influence and power with Tsarina Alexandra because of his ability to predict the health of and cure her hemophiliac son Alexei, the only heir to the throne. His influence on the Romanov family reportedly led to his downfall.

The Russo-Japanese War

1904-1905. Japan fights Russia for Manchuria (China) and wins, leaving Russia without a functioning navy. Secured Japan's railroad rights in Manchuria and its protectorate in Korea. Also led to Revolution of 1905.

The Revolution of 1905

1905-1907. A wave of political and social unrest that included worker strikes, rioting, military mutinies, etc. Instigating event: Bloody Sunday. Resulted in October Manifesto and national Duma.

Peter Stolypin

1905-1911. Oversaw the creation of the Duma as prime minister to Nicholas II. His agrarian reforms were very unpopular and he was assassinated in 1911.

Causes and effects of World War I

1914-18 Global conflict that began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. Austria declared war on Serbia; Russia mobilized against Austria. Germany joined in (the Central Powers), declaring war against Russia and France - who had allied with Britain in the Triple Entente - and invading Belgium. The United States joined the Allies in 1917 after a British ship containing many American passengers, the Lusitania, was sunk by German submarines. The only major naval battle was the battle of Jutland (1916). Fighting was scattered around the globe: on the Eastern and Western fronts; in Italy and the Balkans; in the Middle East; and in the colonies of the imperial powers. The Central Powers were outnumbered; Austria-Hungary collapsed and Germany was forced to surrender. The Ottoman empire broke up and its territories were divided among the Allies under League of Nations mandates. US president Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points plan for peace was rejected in favor of the Treaty of Versailles, prolonging the antagonism between Germany and France, and contributed to World War II.

General Kornilov

1914-1918. Important WWI general who stayed loyal to Karensky as his commander in chief. Led the White Army during the Russian Civil War, where he was killed.

Leon Trotsky

1917-1924. Lenin's co-conspirator in the revolution and hero of the Red Army, issued Army Order Number 1 in which companies voted whether or not to follow commands. Took over the military and train stations during October Revolution that placed Lenin in power, made poor successor for Lenin because he was Jewish and intellectual, policy focused on worldwide revolution, was pushed out by Stalin and killed in Mexico.

Vladimir Lenin

1917-1924. Russian Bolshevik leader banished in 1903 but returned in 1917 and won the peoples' support with promises of "peace, land, and bread." Used the soviets and educated elites in each town to foment revolution among the masses, placing him in power of the USSR after the civil war.

Alexander Kerensky

1917. Leader of the provisional government formed in March 1917 when Nicholas II abdicated. He and his popular Kadet (Socialist Democrat) Party fought for land reform while he kept the war going as a middle ground in contrast to the Bolsheviks who wanted to end the war then.

The October Revolution

1917. The October Revolution in Russia also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was the second phase of the overall Russian Revolution of 1917. The October Revolution overthrew the Russian Provisional Government and gave the power to Bolsheviks. It was followed by the Russian Civil War (1917-1920) and the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922.

The February/March Revolution

1917. Women-led food riots broke out in St Petersburg but when the tsar ordered the Duma to dissolve and the troops to enforce his order, no one obeyed. Workers and soldiers organized radical legislative bodies called Soviets and the rebellion spread throughout the country as troops deserted. The Tsar abdicated, ending the Romanov dynasty. The Provisional Government was an alliance between liberals and socialists who wanted political reform. They set up a democratically-elected executive and constituent assembly. Socialists also formed the Petrograd Soviet, which ruled alongside the Provisional Government, an arrangement termed Dual Power.

Russian Civil War

1918-1920: conflict in which the Red Army successfully defended the newly formed Communist government against tsarists, the middle class, socialist factions etc (White Army). The Communists won because their enemies could not come together.

Joseph Stalin

1924-1953. Ruled the USSR with an iron fist, instituting 5-year plans to industrialize Russia while purging nation of supposed enemies. Ruined agricultural output causing famine and killed opponents freely, totaling about 50 million citizens. Rallied his people to defeat Germans during WWII. Lack of trust with the US and England led to the Cold War.

Alexander Kerensky

Headed the Provisional Government in 1917. Refused to redistribute confiscated landholdings to the peasants. Rejected ourtight social revolution. Thought fighting the war was a national duty.

Nationalities Reform

In 1922, Lenin's anti-Russification efforts. Created a single USSR identity including all ethnic groups, gave smaller ethnic groups autonomous regions within major republics, allowed schools to teach native languages, encouraged cultural uniqueness.

Bread rations

A fixed amount of bread that the Russian's were allowed to have during the war and revolution and very limited. It showed the way the Tsar was unable sustain control for the people. People got very angry with the lack of food. The insufficient supplies was a big cause of Russia's revolt. They were unhappy with the way the government was handling their recourses and decided that change was needed.

Peasant

A person of low class and/or low status who are normally farmers or laborers. This was the majority of the Russian population were peasants and they were very interested in being treated fairly and having equal say in the governments decisions. The peasants felt very upset with the constant oppression from the Tsar. They identified with the communist ways of equality and needed a change. This was a underlying factor of the October revolution, equality.

Provisional government

A result of the divide of Russia in the February and October revolutions. The divide was a cause of disagreement among many things including continuing war and the working class not being represented. The Provisional government was an interim government that managed Russia's political transition. The Provisional government ended up not being a better situation then the Tsar and was revolted against. The Provisional government did not make the people of Russia any happier. They sided with the ideals of Lenin and the Soviets and with the uproar of disproval, the Bolsheviks seized the Provisional government for power in a revolution.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918

After Lenin got a hold of the government; he wanted to end the war between Germany. A third of old Russia's population was sliced away by the German meat ax in this treaty. It was the sacrifice of all of Russia's western territories. (914)

Freikorps

After reducing Germany military, numerous Germany ex-soldiers joined this; an establishment of mercenaries available for street-fighting; open hostility and simmering feelings of revenge exhibited by Germany foreshadowed start of WWII

Constitutional Democrats

Also known as the Cadets or Kadets, the party of the liberal bourgeoisie in Russia, aimed for parliamentary government and gradual reform.

Leninist Doctrine

Although Marx's theories required that a country be developed and capitalist before undergoing a socialist revolution, Lenin argued that a Marxist takeover of Russia would precipitate takeovers elsewhere in Europe and those in turn would help Russia bypass the capitalist stage.

Rasputin

An uneducated Siberian preached (nicknamed Rasputin, the Degenerate) who claimed to have mysterious healing powers. He could stop the bleeding of Czarina Alexandra's son--possibly through hypnosis--and was thus able to gain influence in the czar's court, much to the dismay of top ministers and aristocrats, who finally arranged for his murder. The czarina's relationship with Rasputin did much to discredit Czar Nicholas's rule.

Father Gapon

Commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II to help emancipated serfs adjust to their new lives, a Russian Orthodox priest who led an initially conservative workers union that eventually sought abolition of the tsarist regime. Led the Bloody Sunday march of over 200,000 on the Winter palace.

Farm Collectivization

Consolidated small farms into communes, modernizing agriculture but displacing many peasants. The kulaks, the most successful peasant farmers, were destroyed as a class; 5-12 million people died of murder and famine. The profits from this reorganization were used by the party to industrialize.

Trans-Siberian Railroad

Constructed during 1870s-1880s, railroad linking European and Asiatic Russia, built with French financial support. Made Russian more involved in Asia.

October Manifesto

Following a great general strike called by the Soviet of Petersburg in October 1905, Tsar Nicholas II issued this to grant full civil liberties and promise a popularly elected duma (parliament) with real legislative power.

Vladimir Lenin

Founder of the Russian communist party, leader of the Bolshevik revolution, first head of the soviet state. He strongly disagreed with the ideals of the Tsar and started the movement for change and Soviet power. He brought with him communist ideals and wanted to create a middle class and equality among people financially and in jobs. He started a movement of change and was the head of the soviet's take over and seize of power in the Russian revolution.

Five Year Plan (Russia, 1933)

Increased production of steel and industry to modernize Soviet factories, creating a boom while the West in the Great Depression, making Russia a leading industrial power.

October Manifesto

Issued in Russia because of fear of a general strike. Granted full civil rights and a popular parliament- Duma.

Bloody Sunday

January 22, 1905, St. Petersburg. Unarmed, peaceful protestors led by Father Gapon, walking to deliver a petition to Tsar Nicholas were fired upon by the Imperial Guard. This showed disregard for citizens by the state and unrest spread afterwards as part of the Revolution of 1905.

Kornilov Affair

Kerensky wanted Kornilov, the new commander in chief of the army of Russian Provisional Government, to form a military government that could restore order. However Kornilov wanted to seize power and impose a right-wing military regime, so Kerensky demanded Kornilov's resignation as commander and chief, but he refused it and tried to fight against the Provisional Government.

Nicholas II

Last tsar of Russia, he went to the frontlines in WWI to try to rally the troops, but was forced to abdicate after his wife made horrible decisions under the influence of Rasputin.

Bolsheviks

Led by Vladimir Lenin it was the Russian communist party that took over the Russian goverment during WWI. , 1917 Russian revolutionary group who seized power in Russia during the October Revolution and founded the Soviet Union

Mensheviks

Means "Minority". The marxist party which opposed to the Bolsheviks. The Mensheviks wanted a democratic party with mass membership.

Red Army

Military organization constructed under leadership of Leon Trotsky, Bolshevik follower of Lenin;

Communist Party

New name of the Russian Bolsheviks who dissolved the constitutional assembly in 1918

Issues on the eve of World War I

One of the main causes of the First World War was 1)imperialism: an unequal relationship, often in the form of an empire, forced on other countries and peoples, resulting in domination and subordination of economics, culture, and territory. 2)arms race 3)nationalism 4)unification of Germany

Prince Georgi Lvov

Prime Minister of the new provisional government in Russia, 1917, Minister of the interior, Leader of progressive liberals. Turned over provincial government to Kerensky.

Peter Stolypin

Prime minister of Russia from 1906-1911. He was very involved in fighting radical groups and he also took upon himself various agrarian reforms - which he thought and were proven to be essential for the Russian economy.

Five Year Plan (Russia, 1928)

Promoted rapid industrialization by centralized planning including coal and steel production, modern transportation, all using USSR resources.

Zemstvos

Provincial/local councils elected by landowners and peasants set up by Tsar Nicholas II in 1864 as part of his great reforms to handle civic matters.

Bolsheviks

Radical Marxist political party founded by Vladimir Lenin in 1903 composed of minority representation of the Russian Marxist Congress. Under Lenin's leadership, the Bolsheviks seized power in November 1917 during the Russian Revolution.

October Revolution

Revolution in 1917 in which the Bolsheviks won, ended the Provisional Government, basically an armed insurrection that took over the government resulted in a Communist Dictatorship

Russo-Japanese War

Russia and Japan were fighting over Korea, Manchuria, etc. Began in 1904, but neither side could gain a clear advantage and win. Both sent reps to Portsmouth, NH where TR mediated Treaty of New Hampshire in 1905. TR won the nobel peace prize for his efforts, the 1st pres. to do so.

Provisional Government

Russia's legislative Duma formed it in order to restore order. It was challenged by the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies; a temporary government established in 1917 which replaced Nicholas II when he abdicated. The mistake of this government was not getting Russia out of the brutal World War I.

Vladimir Lenin

Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870-1924). Believed that capitalism could be destroyed only by violend revolution, social revolution was possible under certain conditions, and the necessity of a highly diciplined workers' party strictly controlled by a dedicated elite of intellectual revolutionaries

Duma

Russian national assembly created as one of the reforms following the Revolution of 1905; did not include the Marxists who boycotted out of tsar distrust; progressively stripped of power during the reign of Nicholas II.

Revolution of 1905

Term describing the wave of political terrorism, strikes, peasant unrests, mutinies, both anti-government and undirected, that swept through vast areas of the Russian Empire, leading to the establishment of the State Duma of the Russian Empire, multi-party system and the Russian Constitution of 1906.

World War I

When: 1914-1918 What: The first major world war centered in Europe and was one of the main causes of the Russian revolution and the Russian civil war. During WWI the Tsar was still in control and Russia was being controlled by the divine rather than the popular vote. Most of the decisions of WWI in affect to Russia were unfairly managed by the Tsar and were supposed to be swayed by the Duma but that ended up just supporting the Tsar. The people were in desperate need of change but WWI was making conditions worse. They needed to rebel against the Tsar and gain better control of their country, this was their basis for a revolution.

White Army

The anti communist forces that fought the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war (1917-1922). They believed in the absolute monarchy.

Petrograd Soviet

The council led by moderate Marxist Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries, which opposed and rivaled the Provisional government.

Tsar Nicholas II

The final Tsar of Russia who was in rule and appointed the Duma. He was later executed for is inability to rule Russia sufficiently by causing an economic crisis (extreme poverty and high inflation), poorly controlling the military, and a lack of food. A good example of the Tsar not fully sustaining Russia was the Russian military being forced to use the firearms of their dead comrades because of the lack of supplies.

Mensheviks

The party which opposed to the Bolsheviks. Started in 1903 by Martov, after dispute with Lenin. The Mensheviks wanted a democratic party with mass membership.

Bloody Sunday

This event took place when a group of Russian workers, who were trying to deliver a petition demanding reform to Czar Nicholas II at his Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, were fired upon by troops. Over 500 people were killed and over 3000 wounded.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Treaty between Russia and Germany that would end Russia's involvement in WWI in 1918 surrendering Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia (the Baltic states), Poland, and the Ukraine to Germany.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

Treaty that ended World War I; it was much harder on Germany than Wilson wanted but not as punitive as France and England desired. It was harsh enough, however, to set stage for Hitler's rise of power in Germany in 1930s.

kulaks

Wealthy peasant farmer class who, after resisting Stalins' commune farming reorganization, were slaughtered by the millions.

October manifesto

When: 1905 What: A document issued by Tsar Nicholas II that attempted to quiet strikes, local revolts, promised freedom of speech and assembly, and called for the Duma.

Duma

When: 1906 What: An advisory with legislative functions to the government. The first Duma was formally instituted into the Russian empire by Tsar Nicholas II in 1906. The Tsar was meant to be the voice of the people and represent the people's voice in the government. However the Duma ended up catering to the Tsar's thirst for power instead of what the people wanted. This outraged the citizens of Russia and wanted the Tsar ways out of rule. This outrage of a large cause of the Russian revolution because the people were unhappy with the way the government was disregarding their needs.

February revolution

When: 1917 What: The Russian's revolted for a better surplus of supplies. They marched for bread and other necessities. Thousands of man and woman on strike went to protest for bread. This march started the movement to overthrow the insufficient government, the Tsar.

Communist manifesto

Written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels a social system where all people are equal and the disestablishment of the class system. This largely appealed to the peasants of Russia, the largest class. They were tired of being treated unfairly, being oppressed, and not receiving the rights they deserved. The people were fed up with being oppressed and rebelled against the Tsar in February of 1917 with the communist ideals in mind. Fortunately, Lenin and the Bolsheviks also had the Communist manifesto in mind as well and thought that the Russian's could benefit. With the February revolution and the Bolsheviks ready to seize the Provisional Government, the October revolution and take over of the provisional government took place in 1917.

Army Order No. 1

a radical order of the Petrograd Soviet that stripped officers of their authority and placed power in the hands of elected committees of common soldiers which led to total collapse of army discipline and widespread executions of officers

The Purge Trials

also called The Great Purge, three widely publicized show trials and a series of closed, unpublicized trials held 1936-1938 and initiated by a paranoid Stalin, in which many prominent Old Bolsheviks were found guilty of treason and executed or imprisoned. 1 million executed, 5-7 million sent to labor camps. Stalin strengthened his party and became a powerful dictator.

April Thesis

called for soviets (workers' councils) to take power (as seen in the slogan "all power to the soviets"), denounced liberals and social democrats in the Provisional Government, called for Bolsheviks not to cooperate with the government, and called for new communist policies.

Another political effect

colonies who supported Europe during the war, like India and protectorates, like Egypt, thought they would be rewarded for support; when British shot down 1 of Wilson's 14 points that advocated right of self-determination for all countries, the colonies rebelled

Leon Trotsky

committed Marxist revolutionary that assisted Lenin, Leader of the Red Army and turned it into an effective fighting force, used former czarist officers under watch of commissars

Whites

counterrevolutionaries made up of tsarist imperial officers, Mensheviks, democrats, and 18 groups going against the Communists

Duma

elected national legislature in Russia

February Revolution

feb rev exploded on the streets of Petrograd (capital of Russia) 1914 mostly caused by the tremendous economic toll on russia caused by WWI. only a few people who supported tsar were left and tsar was soon swept from office and the romanov dynasty was forgotten; female workers from textile factories led the march/protest and along the way persuaded Putilov workers to join them

Tsar Alexander II

r. 1861-1881. Emancipated the serfs, began process of emancipation in 1861, was assassinated in 1881 by radical socialists leaving his son Tsar Alexander III to rule conservatively.

Alexander III

r. 1881-1894. Russian tsar who came to the throne in 1881 after his father was assassinated by radical socialists. He instituted a reactionary policy of "Russianification, orthodoxy, and autocracy"

Tsar Nicholas II

r. 1894-1917. Last tsar of Russia. Married to Alexandra, father of hemophiliac son Alexei. Lack of interest in ruling and support for relatives in England and Germany were his downfall.

Politburo

the chief executive and political committee of the Communist Party

Marxism-Leninism

the political and economic philosophy of the Bolsheviks, expounded by Vladimir Lenin, which looked to an uprising of the proletariat that would abolish private property and enforce social equality