Russian+Revolution

Carla Nicholson Russian Revolution trace transition from tsar to communism

-Russia suffering from WWI -far behind the West in industrialization and modernity -Nicholas II insulated by tsarina Alexandra -Alexandra under influence of Rasputin -tsar tried to dissolve the Duma, Duma met anyway -International Women's Day (Petrograd women marched through city demanding "Peace and Bread") (March 8) -March 10, shut down all factories in Petrograd -March 12, Duma established Provisional Government -March 15, Nicholas II abdicated -Mensheviks (willing to cooperate temporarily in a parliamentary democracy while working toward the ultimate achievement of the socialist state) -Bolsheviks (leader=Lenin, dedicated to violent revolution) -Kerensky as prime minister of Provisional Government (Socialist Revolutionary) -Kerensky released Bolsheviks from prison and turned to the Petrograd soviet for help -Leon Trotsky brought success to the Red Army -Lenin's "April Theses" (calling upon Bolsheviks to work to gain control of the soviets and use them to overthrow the Provisional Government) -Lenin to power -Red Terror (crush all who opposed ideas under Lenin) -Cheka (secret police)