Lucas Solis 1 20/10/2023

NAME:__________________________________________________________PER:____DATE:________________

AIM: Why did a revolution occur in Russia after World War I?

The cosues were peasant, worker, and military dissatisfaction with corruption and
ACTIVITY 1: DO NOW inefficiency within the czarist regime, and government control of the Russian
Directions: Answer the questions below. Orthodox Church
AVERAGE RUSSIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR HOMES ONE OF 1,500 ROOMS IN THE EMPEROR’S PALACE

The majority of the Russian people were living in poverty by the time WWI began. The Russian czar (emperor) lived in the Winter Palace, which had 1,500 rooms.

1. Compare and contrast the Winter Palace, where the Russian Imperial Family lived, to the average homes of the people of Russia.
The W inter Palace, home to the Russian Imperial Family, was a massive and opulent palace with modern amenities. In contrast,
average Russian homes were smaller, lacked such amenities, and varied from log houses in rural areas to urban apartments. The
W inter Palace represented the monarchy's wealth, while common homes symbolized the economic disparities in Imperial Russia.
2. Compare and contrast the wealth gap between Russians and their czar (emperor) in 1910 to the Third Estate and King Louis XVI
of France in 1789. I
n 1910 Russia, there was a significant wealth gap between the czar (emperor)and the Russian population,
with the czar enj
oying immense wealth and power. In 1789 France, a similar wealth gap existed between the
Third Estate (commoners)and King Louis XVI, which contributed to social and political unrest leading to the
French Revolution.

ACTIVITY 2: DOCUMENT ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the document below and complete the questions that follow.
All Russia was learning to read, and reading—politics, economics, history—because the people
wanted to know... In every city, in most towns, along the Front, each political faction had its
newspaper—sometimes several. Hundreds of thousands of pamphlets were distributed by
thousands of organizations, and poured into the armies, the villages, the factories, the streets.
The thirst for education, so long thwarted (prevented), burst with the Revolution into a frenzy
of expression. From Smolny Institute alone, the first six months, went out every day tons, car-
loads, trainloads of literature, saturating the land… And it was not fables, falsified history,
diluted religion, and the cheap fiction that corrupts—but social and economic theories,
philosophy, the works of Tolstoy, Gogol, and Gork (Russian authors who influenced Russian
political and economic thought).

SOURCE: John Reed, Ten Days that Shook the World (New York: International Publishers, 1934). IMAGE: Tolstoy on 23 May 1908 — photo by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky.

1. How did a rise in education influence political change in Russia?

The rise in education in Russia helped foster political change by raising awareness, empowering
citizens to demand rights, and promoting political activism, which ultimately contributed to social
and political transformation, including the Russian Revolution of 1917.
2. Why do you think education had been previously thwarted (prevented) by the autocratic government?
The autocratic government in Russia often thwarted education to maintain control by limiting
access to information, preventing the spread of political ideas, and ensuring a compliant
population.
ACTIVITY 3: TEXT ANALYSIS
Directions: Analyze the texts below and complete the questions that follow.

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION OF 1917: A SHOCK TO THE WORLD

In 1884, Nicholas II became the last czar (Russian term for king) of Russia. Like King Louis XVI
before the French Revolution, Czar Nicholas II was an autocrat, meaning he had absolute power and
called all of the shots. Like the French king, he also ignored the calls of his people for change, so
two revolutions ended up taking place that changed Russia forever.

Russia finally industrialized like the rest of Europe and America. Rapid urbanization meant that
Moscow and St. Petersburg became overcrowded. Living conditions became filthy and deadly. To
make things worse, there was no food because of expensive wars and a bad growing season (because
of the frozen climate). People protested the monarchy in the streets and the government
responded by massacring them. This became known as the Bloody Sunday Massacre and Russians
lost serious faith in their government. Ten years later, Russia got involved in World War I to
support Britain and France. However, it made their problems worse. They couldn’t compete against
Germany, which had already industrialized and was far superior in combat. Their economy weakened
even more and millions ended up killed. Everyone left was starving as the czar maintained a lavish
lifestyle.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was really two revolutions. The first took place in February. The
Czar was overthrown and removed from power. The second revolution took place in October, which
put the Bolsheviks in charge of Russia with Vladimir Lenin as the leader. The Bolsheviks were a
communist party that won support by embracing the ideas and beliefs of Karl Marx from his
Communist Manifesto, promising the Russian people “peace, land, and bread” — all things the people
needed.

On July 17, 1918, Vladimir Lenin ordered Bolshevik revolutionary soldiers to lure the deposed
(removed) Russian czar, his wife, and their young children into a basement, where they were
promised they’d be moved to a safer location far away from the government. Once locked in, the
Bolsheviks opened fire. The Czar and Czarina were killed immediately. The rest of the bullets
deflected off of the brick walls, causing smoke to make it impossible to see the targets. The
princesses were also hiding their jewelry underneath their clothes which made it hard for bullets
to work. The soldiers had to resort to stabbing the children. The assassination took over an hour
and is considered one of the most faulty and gruesome assassinations in history.

SOURCE: 1 history.com 2 PBS.org TOP IMAGE: Czar Nicholas II and the Imperial Family. BOTTOM IMAGE: Soviet poster "Comrade Lenin cleans the Earth from
impurities” — propaganda by Viktor Deni (1893-1946).

1. Compare and contrast Czar Nicholas II of Russia to King Louis XVI of France. How were they similar and different?
Like King Louis XVIbefore the French Revolution, Czar Nicholas IIwas an autocrat, meaning he had absolute power
and called all of the shots. Like the French king, he also ignored the calls of his people for change, so two revolutions
ended up taking place that changed Russia forever.
2. Who were the Bolsheviks? How did they win support?
The Bolsheviks were a communist party that won support by embracing the ideas and beliefs of Karl Marxfrom his
Communist Manifesto, promising the Russian people “peace, land, and bread” all things the people
needed.

3. How did World War I add to the problems of Russia? How did it contribute to the fall of Czar Nicholas from power?
W orld W ar Iexacerbated Russia' s problems by straining resources, causing food shortages, and leading to military
defeats. This discontent and economic hardship fueled popular discontent and protests, contributing to Czar Nicholas
II'
s fall from power during the Russian Revolution in 1917.
4. Explain whether or not you think the assassination of Czar Nicholas II was necessary.
It was necessary he was a dictatorship since he didn'
t want the good for his people and didn'
t care for his
people.

ACTIVITY 4: ASSESSMENT
Directions: Choose an option below and complete on looseleaf for an assessment grade.

OPTION A OPTION B

Create four multiple choice questions about the Russian
Revolution. Your questions should start with 'How' or ‘Why'
and you should also include four options for each question.
Don't forget to choose the right answer!
In a paragraph of 6-8 sentences, answer the AIM: “Why did
a revolution occur in Russia after World War I?” Provide at
least two pieces of evidence from today’s activities.
A revolution occurred in Russia after W orld W ar Idue to
economic hardships and social discontent. Two pieces of
evidence include food shortages and protests sparked by these
hardships.
ACTIVITY 5A — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Directions: Analyze the document below and complete the questions that follow.
1. Recall from Activity 1: What happened on Bloody Sunday in 1905?
A peaceful workers'protest in St. Petersburg, Russia, turned into a
violent massacre when Imperial Guards fired on the demonstrators,
resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

2. Why were people assembling in the streets to protest? What were they
protesting?
Due to various grievances, including demanding better working
conditions, higher wages, and political reforms. They were
protesting against the autocratic rule of Czar Nicholas IIand the
oppressive social and economic conditions they faced.
3. What demands do you think the protesters would have made to their czar at
the time?
The protesters likely demanded political reforms, including greater
representation, civil rights, improved working conditions, and an
end to autocratic rule.

4. How was Bloody Sunday one of the causes of the Russian Revolution?
It fueled widespread discontent and protests against the
autocracy and contributed to a growing sense of dissatisfaction
with the imperial regime. This event marked a turning point in
public sentiment and played a role in the broader revolutionary
movement that ultimately led to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

SOURCE: A photo and a newspaper headline from

Bloody Sunday, 1905.

ACTIVITY 5B — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the document below and complete the questions that follow.
1. Who is represented in this cartoon by the snake? Why did the artist choose a
snake for this figure?
Ican' t identify who it is in the cartoons
but the artist maybe used a snakes
because it represents deception,
betrayal, evil
2. Who is represented by the main figure on the left? Why do you think the
artist pictured them to be so large?

Vladimir Lenin because he was the one that take the

leadership in the revolution.

3. Explain whether or not the artist is biased towards one side of the revolution.
W ell everyone has its own opinion and yes its biased
because he was in the side of Lenin and not the monarchy (
maybe)

4. How would the survivors of the Bloody Sunday massacre feel about this
cartoon? Justify your response.
They should feel proud of the
sacrifice the people did to make
the revolution happend.
SOURCE: "Treachery to Brothers" Aleksandr
Petrovich — 1918. New York Public Library.
ACTIVITY 6 — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: GUIDED NOTES
Directions: Copy the notes as directed.

Characterized by extreme social inequality, widespread poverty, and

political repression. The economy was largely agrarian, and the country
was engaged in W orld W ar I. The revolution was driven by grievances
What was Russia like
against the monarchy' s oppressive rule and the desire for political and
before the Russian social change.
Revolution?

Social Injustice:W idespread poverty, inequality, and harsh working

conditions.
What were the Political Oppression:The autocratic rule of the Romanov monarchy.
causes of the Economic Hardships:Food shortages, inflation, and economic instability.
W orld W ar I:The strain of the war effort on the Russian economy and
RUSSIAN
military.
REVOLUTION?
Discontent among the masses:Protests, strikes, and a desire for political
reform and change.

He had a controversial influence on the royal court due to his mysticism

and alleged ability to help treat their son'
s hemophilia. Rasputin'
s actions
and influence contributed to public dissatisfaction with the Romanovs and
Who was GRIGORI were a factor in the events leading up to the Russian Revolution.
RASPUTIN?

ACTIVITY 7 — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: VIDEO ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the video linked below and complete the questions that follow.
1. How did World War I impact Russia?
W orld W ar Ihad a significant impact on Russia by straining its
resources, leading to food shortages, economic hardship, and military
defeats. These factors contributed to widespread discontent, protests,
and ultimately, the Russian Revolution of 1917, which resulted in the
downfall of the Romanov monarchy and the rise of a new government.
2. Identify the reasons why the Russian people were angry at Czar Nicholas II.

Autocratic Rule:He maintained an oppressive autocracy, giving people no voice in government.

Economic Hardships:W idespread poverty, food shortages, and inflation were prevalent.
W orld W ar I:The unpopular war effort strained the country' s resources and led to military defeats.
Corruption and Inefficiency:The government was seen as corrupt and ineffective in addressing the
country' s problems.
Rasputin' s Influence:The controversial influence of Grigori Rasputin in the royal court damaged the
czar's reputation.

3. What was Vladimir Lenin’s 3-word slogan? Why did Vladimir Lenin appeal to
the people?
Vladimir Lenin's three-word slogan was "Peace, Land,
Bread."He appealed to the people by promising an end to
Russia's involvement in W orld W ar I, land redistribution,
and food security, addressing the pressing issues that
were causing widespread suffering and discontent among
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOK1TMSyKcM
the population.