Causes of Revolution
What was the main reason the Russians Revolted?
Their political leader had gotten them into an unwanted war
What was the current name of the Czar
Nicholas the 2nd (or Nikolai)
When did the first revolution start?
February, 1917
Who started the massive strikes in February 1917?
Women, and factory workers in Petrograd
What was the name of the new state created by the Bolsheviks?
The Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, later the USSR
What did the Czar take control over that made Russian citizens angered
The Russian Army
Who was the leader of the Soviets?
Vladimir Lenin
Where did the first revolution happen?
Petrograd (Current day St. Petersburg)
How did World War I affect the Russian population by 1917?
It led to severe economic distress, rampant inflation, food shortages in cities, and massive military casualties (over 4 million by 1917)
What was the main slogan of the Bolsheviks?
Peace, Bread, Land
Why did the first Revolution begin?
The lack of bread, due to rationing
Who abdicated from the throne during the Russian Revolution, and what date did he abdicate
Nicholas the 2nd, March 1917
What was the name of the Bolshevik militia that seized power?
The Red Guards
What was the status of the Russian peasant in 1917?
Over 80% of the population were peasants living in poverty, often dealing with land hunger and struggling to survive under poor economic conditions
Who were the main opponents of the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War?
The white army
What was the name of the person who had power over the royal family
Grigori Rasputin
What was the Provisional Government?
A government made to manage Russia's transition from monarchy to a democratic state.
Who was responsible for planning the military seizure of Petrograd?
Leon Trotsky
What was the Okhrana?
The Tsarist secret police, used to suppress revolutionary activities and maintain control through surveillance
What was Lenin’s first official act after taking power?
The Decree on Peace (initiating withdrawal from WWI)
What did the Czar do that lead the public to get angered by him
1. Repression of Opposition
2. Economic Collapse & Shortages
3. WWI Mismanagement
What did Vladimir Lenin proclaim to the Russian public?
All power to the Soviets!
What was the Aurora?
A naval cruiser that fired a shot to signal the start of the attack on the Winter Palace.
What was the Duma?
An elected parliament established after the 1905 Revolution, which was largely ineffective in opposing the Tsar’s actions by 1917.
What treaty did Russia sign to exit World War I?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk