Discovering History
History with Ms. Sabatos
Russian Revolution
An Overview of the Russian Revolution
Characters of the Revolution
Rasputin
What a man! Rasputin, known as the Mad Monk, worked for the tsar and his family. Believed to have mystic powers, he would heal the son of the tsar, Alexi. When Tsar Nicholas II was gone, Rasputin acted as an adviser to the tsarina. Under his advisement, the Russian economy dropped significantly. In addition, many people were skeptical of his powers and abilities. In 1916, a plot to kill him was created and implemented. After poison, gunshot, assault, and drowning, Rasputin was dead.
Want to watch the creepy cartoon video again? Go here!
Tsar Nicholas II
Tsar Nicholas was the last of the Romanov tsars in Russia. He led his military in wars, including the Russ-Japanese War and the Great War (both of which did not turn out well for Russia). People did not like him for multiple reasons: (1) he continued to lose wars (2) he was an absolute monarchy, giving little power to the people, and (3) many did not trust his wife, as she was German. Tsar Nicholas was asked to abdicate by the Duma, the legislative body. He and his family were held as prisoners throughout the revolution. By the mid 1918, the tsar and his family were murdered to be sure they would not take the throne and to send a message.
Vladimir Lenin
Lenin was an avid revolutionary, calling for the end of the tsars. As a young man, he was expelled from college for his radical beliefs. Soon after, he was exiled from the country due to his brother's actions against the tsar. In 1917, after the February Revolution, Germany snuck Lenin into Russia on a train to cause havoc within the country. And oh boy did Lenin do that. Leading the Bolsheviks (members of the Russian Social Democratic Party), Lenin started the socialist government in Russia. He led a strict regime as a socialist (going towards communist) leader. He died in 1924.
Bolsheviks
What is a Bolshevik?!
A Bolshevik is a member of the Russian Social Democratic Party who follows the beliefs of Lenin. They later become nicknamed the "Reds," fighting the "Whites" (or the Mensheviks).
In the revolution, the Bolsheviks come out on top by October of 1917 and take control of the country.