in the wake of the 1905 revolution (see BEFORE), Nicholas II agreed to instigate

Question

a new constitution for Russia, which included the formation of an elected parliament, or Duma. However, the czar retained the ability to disband the Duma at will, which he duly did when the assembly met in 1906 and 1907. Two subsequent Dumas met in 1907-1912 and 1912-17, although they were in almost constant conflict with Nicholas, who struggled to remain in control of the worsening political situation. The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 briefly united Russians against a common German enemy.
The war did not go well for Russia. By 1917, having sustained enormous losses on the battlefield and with the war effort creating high prices and food shortages, resentment toward the czar increased. Industrial workers across Russia began a crippling general strike. With violence erupting on the streets of
Petrograd and Moscow, Nicholas was finally forced to abdicate. The Duma handed over power to the Provisional Government, which aimed to establish a liberal democracy. But discontent was still in the air, as the government refused to withdraw from the war. The power was increasingly contested by the Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers, one of many workers' councils (soviets) springing up all over the country. The Petrograd Soviet had the crucial support of troops garrisoned in the capital. It denounced the new government as "bourgeois" (middle class), and claimed to be the only true representative of the Russian people.
Peace, land, and bread
In April 1917, Lenin (see right), a key member of the revolutionary Russian Bolshevik Party, returned to Petrograd from exile in Western Europe. Lenin was convinced that collapse of world capitalism, as predicted by Karl Marx, was imminent. His aim was to supervise a proletarian (workers') revolution, with the rallying cry of "peace, land and bread, [and] all power to the Soviets." In April the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda ("Truth") published Lenin's demands for the overthrow of the government and withdrawal from the "imperialist" war.
Lenin's antiwar stance gained mass support in July, when a Russian offensive ended with huge casualties. For three days, soldiers and workers rioted in Petrograd in an uprising so damaging that the prime minister, Prince Lvov, resigned. He was replaced by Alexander Kerensky, who branded Lenin a German spy. Lenin fled to Finland and the prospect of revolution seemed to recede.
However, Lenin's followers soon received assistance from an unlikely source. General Lavr Kornilov, the Russian army's commander-in-chief, believed that the country would descend into anarchy if the Bolsheviks were to gain ground, and in August
As you read, record your notes in the space below. Your notes should focus on key ideas and defining terms you do not know. like a 8th grader

Answer 1

Notes on the 1905 Revolution and Russian Revolution

Background of the 1905 Revolution

• Nicholas II: The last czar of Russia who agreed to create a constitution and form an elected parliament, known as the Duma.
• Duma's Power: Although the Duma was formed, Nicholas II had the authority to dissolve it, which he did in 1906 and 1907.

Subsequent Dumas

• Dumas:
  • First Duma (1906-1907) - dissolved by Nicholas II.
  • Second Duma (1907-1912) - faced constant conflict with the czar.
  • Third Duma (1912-1917) - continued struggles with power and control.

World War I Impact

• Outbreak of World War I (1914): Initially united Russians against Germany.
• War Outcomes: Russia faced huge losses, leading to high prices and food shortages, increasing resentment towards Nicholas II.

1917: The Downfall of Nicholas II

• General Strike: Industrial workers went on strike due to discontent.
• Violence: Riots broke out in Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) and Moscow.
• Abdication: Nicholas II was forced to abdicate his throne.

Transition of Power

• Provisional Government: Formed by the Duma to establish a liberal democracy, but faced challenges.
• Continued War Participation: The government chose to stay in the war, furthering discontent among the people.
• Petrograd Soviet: A workers' council that claimed to represent the Russian people and opposed the Provisional Government.

Lenin and the Bolshevik Revolution

• Lenin's Return (April 1917): Returned from exile, promoting a workers' revolution.
• Slogan: "Peace, land, and bread" and "All power to the Soviets" aimed to resonate with the struggling masses.
• Bolshevik Newspaper: "Pravda" published Lenin's calls for revolution and withdrawal from World War I.

July 1917 Uprising

• Military Defeats: A disastrous Russian offensive led to riots in Petrograd.
• Political Changes: Prime Minister Prince Lvov resigned; Alexander Kerensky took over and accused Lenin of being a German spy.
• Lenin's Temporary Retreat: Lenin fled to Finland as the revolution seemed to stall.

General Kornilov's Move

• General Lavr Kornilov's Concern: Believed that if Bolsheviks gained too much power, the country would fall into chaos.
• Kornilov Affair: His actions brought attention back to the Bolsheviks and set the stage for their eventual rise.

Key Terms

• Duma: An elected parliament in Russia.
• Provisional Government: The temporary government after Nicholas II's abdication.
• Petrograd Soviet: A council of workers and soldiers that gained influence during the revolution.
• Bolshevik: A member of the radical socialist party led by Lenin advocating for workers' rights and revolution.
• Marxism: A political and economic theory advocating for class struggle and the eventual overthrow of capitalism.

These notes outline the key events leading up to the Russian Revolution, focusing on the conflict between the czarist government, the Duma, and the emerging Bolsheviks led by Lenin.