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Russia was a multinational empire ruled by the Romanov Family. They were separated from Western Europe because  of their cold weathers and long distances. Russia relied on the principals of serfdom to plant crops, tying peasants to the land. This prevented Russia from industrializing.

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Nicholas wanted an autocratic rule, he had all the power to make laws and determine foreign policy. Russia was very far behind the industrial production at the time Nicholas took over, so he increased industrial production. This created a larger class of urban poverty.

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The poor worked in factories for long hours, bad conditions, and low wages. They were against these policies and petitioned  the Czar for help at the Winter Palace. The czars troops opened fire on the protestors and over 500 innocent people were killed. This led to the czar giving up his power to the Dumas.

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The Dumas supported a constitutional monarchy that would let Nicholas be czar, but they wanted to put the real power of Russia in the hands of the democratically elected Dumas. Nicholas protested the loss of his powers so he dissolved the Dumas. This act angered many people in Russia.

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Europe was in a complex situation, countries like Germany and Austria wanted to grow their colonies. France and Great Britain improved their armies to defend themselves from these countries. Russia, France, Britain, and Serbia created an alliance called the Allies incase of a war. Austria declared war between Serbia, causing Serbia to ask Russia for help. This lead to the beginning of WWI.

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Czar Nicholas Takes Command of Army 1915 

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Czar Nicholas Takes Command of Army 1915 

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During WWI Russian troops weren’t as strong as other armies causing many Russian casualties. Citizens at home were angry and upset over the deaths of their sons and fathers, over 15 million farmers and factory workers were sent out into the war. With the disparity of food supplies and prices, Nicholas took control of the troops.

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The decision by the czar to leave St. Petersburg left the control of the government in the hands of his german wife, Czarina Alexandra. Since she wasn’t ready to rule she was under the influence of Gregory Rasputin. Alexandra’s son, Alexi suffered from a life threatening generic disease and she believed only Rasputin could save her sons life. Young nobles became concerned about Rasputin’s influence over the czarina and murdered him, however the royal family’s reputation remained.

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With Nicholas II still away “leading” the war, the St. Petersburg situation worsened. Workers began strikes, rioters were breaking into stores stealing food and supplies, and troops mutinied. Politicians worldwide wanted Nicholas to bring back democratic change to Russia but he ignored. As a result, the Czar’s wife and children were held as prisoners and the Czar was forced to abdicate.

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Provisional Committee of the State Duma 

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Provisional Government Takes Over: Spring 1917

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Provisional Government Takes Over: Spring 1917

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When Nicholas gave up his power, leaders of the revolution created a provisional government. Their goal was to set up a temporary government based on the democratic principles of the western world. Even though they had good intentions, the provisional government was struggling to keep control.

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Mistreated factory workers wanted change during the early industrial period. Since there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor, communism appealed to the lower class. Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the communist party in Russia and Bolsheviks were the communist followers of Karl Marx. Since the provisional government was struggling, Lenin saw this as an opportunity to take control for communism.

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October 1917, Lenin and his followers began to takeover St. Petersburg. Since the Bolshevik’s didn’t face any confrontations in taking over government buildings, the provisional government collapsed. The take-over in power caused a civil war between the Red Bolshevik Army and the White Anti-Bolshevik Army.

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Lenin met with Russians former enemies, Austria, Germany, and the Ottoman Turks and signed a peace agreement called the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia lost Poland, Finland, and Ukraine.

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Death of Nicholas II and His Family 1918

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Death of Nicholas II and His Family 1918

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The Czars family was kept under house arrest until the fear of the White Army freeing Nicholas was brought to attention. The  royal family was moved and ended up in the town of Ekaterinburg where they were shot in a basement in the middle of the night. 8 days later Ekaterinburg was captured by the White Amry.

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Russia was expanded to include several smaller territories that adopted the name, United Soviet Socialist Republic. This was a sign that these countries were committed to communist ideas.

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After 5 years the Red Army won. The civil war caused over 15 million deaths, destructions of roads, factories, railroads, and farms.

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Lenin was shot in 1918. Since the bullet pierced his jaw and neck it was too dangerous to remove the bullet so it was left in his body. This caused him to suffer series of strokes that eventually left him bedridden and unable to speak. Lenin’s death allowed a new leader to control the USSR