Revolution in Russia

Revolution in Russia

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Russian Revolution

Russia has been a country accustomed to autocratic rule. From the days of Ivan the Terrible to those of Peter to Nicholas II, the Czars have made all decisions—the Russians have never known what it is to participate--to have a voice-- in their government.

Russian Revolution

• In the end, revolution has percolated there (just under the seemingly untroubled surface) since history can recall. Involvement in WWI, however, was more than most could take.

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Russian Revolution

• Resources were strained, the transportation system collapsed and factories could not turn out the necessary goods.

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Russian Revolution

• The Czarina—Alexandra—a German princess, who was much distrusted was left in power as Nicholas II headed for the front.

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Czar Nicholas II

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Russian Revolution

• Food was scarce. People were hungry, cold and left to watch as their sons, brothers, fathers, and friends die in astounding numbers.

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Russian Revolution

• March, 1917.• The monarchy collapses. The Czar is

forced to abdicate the throne and does so—not only for himself but for his son, as well.

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Russian Revolution

• Politicians set up a Provisional Government that went to work on creating a constitution for a new Russian Republic.

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Russian Revolution

• They continue playing a role in WWI—a decision that would prove unwise. Russians were fed up with the War.

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Russian Revolution

• November, 1917:The Bolsheviks—a radical, Socialist group, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Josif Stalin.

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Russian Revolution

• Lenin and his guys—the Bolsheviks—take over with the help of the Russian Navy and the Battleship Aurora.

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Russian Revolution

• Throughout the land, millions thought that they had at last gained control over their own lives. In fact, the Bolsheviks—renamed Communists—would soon become their new masters.

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Russian Revolution

• From Lenin to Stalin• --A. Building the Comm. Sov. Union• ------1.• ------2.• --B. Stalin’s 5 year plans• ------1.• ------2.

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Russian Revolution

• Place your outline of Section II (Ch.15) onto page 7 of your project.

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Russian Revolution

• Life in a Totalitarian State:• ---In this form of government, a one-party

dictatorship attempts to regulate every aspect of the lives of its citizens.

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Russian Revolution

• --------b. People bombarded by propaganda. Radios and loudspeakers blared relentlessly into schools and factories. Communist successes and the evils of Capitalism always a main topic.

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Russian Revolution

• --------a. To accomplish the goal of control, Stalin’s communist party used secret police, censorship, violent purges, and terror.

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Russian Revolution

• --------c. In accordance with the ideas of Karl Marx, atheism (the belief that there is no God) became the official state policy.

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Russian Revolution

• Changes in society:• -------At the head of society was the Communist

party. Party elite enjoyed luxuries and benefits denied to most. They had the best apartments and vacation homes while most were crammed into communal housing where whole families would live in 1 bedroom of a two or three-bedroom apartment—other families occupying the other rooms.

• ----Education-free!!• ----Equality for women

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Russian Revolution

• The Arts: • ------Socialist realism: Stalin forced artists and

writers to conform to a style that would boost socialism by showing Soviet life n a positive light.

• -------------Bottom line: promote hope in a communist future!

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Russian Revolution

• GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP. Artists and writers who did not tow the party line faced gov. persecution, could not get materials, work space, or jobs.

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Russian Revolution

• Osip Mandelstam• --------Boris Pasternak• -------------Anna Akhmatova:

“For seventeen long months my pleas,My cries have called you home.

I’ve begged the hangman on my knees,My son, my dread, my own.

My mind’s mixed up for good,And I’m no longer even clear

Who’s man, who’s beast, nor how much timeBefore the end draws near.”

--------------------------------------------Requiem

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