REVOLUTIONS

Let’s recap!

In groups of 4, identify and decide on one of the revolutions

from your past learning.

Identify what were the reasons for the revolution.

Create a mind map.

Present your views on these questions based on the previous
slide:

1. Is there a common pattern in the reasons for revolution?

2. Are all revolutions violent?
3. Do revolutions always create long-lasting impact on the
region it originated from?
WHAT IS REVOLUTION?

According to Jack Goldstone, the

term revolution is defined as,

“a fundamental transformation of
political institutions and authority,
driven by mass mobilization and
non-institutional actions that
undermine established power”.
however……

Revolutions have to come to

become an inclusive term to
mean “any significant change
experienced by a society in a
short space of time that can
often have long-lasting effects”
REVOLUTION VS.
REBELLION
It is often possible to confuse revolution
and rebellion.
However, a rebellion is an act of resistance
to show dissatisfaction with a particular
issue; usually directed at someone with
power in the society at the time.

Example: Peasants’ Revolt in England

during 14th century
 TYPES OF REVOLUTIONS

POLITICAL SOCIAL TECHNOLOGICAL

Involves large groups of people acting Mass movements to bring some form of When changes in society happen due to
to remove an existing government, social change in the society. advancements in technology, causing a
often inspired by a leader who can offer major shift in how society may operate.
an alternative. Ex: Civil rights movement in USA
Ex: Industrial revolution of 1760
Ex: French Revolution
 TYPES OF REVOLUTIONS

CULTURAL RELIGIOUS
Aim to change the identity of the Occurs when people of a society may
society. reject or embrace the role of religion.

Ex: Cultural Revolution in 1960s China Ex: Iranian Revolution

 1 2
A large group of citizens begins
A man nails a list of complaints on the
organizing peaceful marches, sit-ins, and
door of a powerful religious institution.
campaigns demanding equal rights for a
His ideas spread quickly, causing many
Identify the type of marginalized group. Over time, new laws
people to leave the institution and form
are passed that grant these citizens
new groups with different beliefs and
revolution for each of practices. Conflicts erupt between the
access to education, voting, and
these scenarios employment, changing the social
old and new followers.
dynamics of the nation.

3 4 5
A country’s leader calls on the youth to In a country, the people rise up against a In a once-rural town, factories are built
reject traditional customs, art, and corrupt monarch who has been ruling and machines begin replacing human
history. Books are burned, teachers are for decades. After months of protests, labor. New forms of transportation
attacked, and cultural icons are riots, and uprisings, the monarchy is appear, and people move into cities for
destroyed. Young people are overthrown and replaced by a work. Traditional ways of farming and
encouraged to follow the new ideology democratic government where citizens crafting become rare as the economy
and report anyone who resists the can vote for their leaders. shifts.
changes.
RUSSIAN
REVOLUTION
ASSIGNMENT

Using information from the video, create a flowchart of

events that lead to the February and October Revolution of
1917 in Russia
What were some of the issues in
Russia?
● While rest of Europe was being unified under the ideology of
Nationalism, Russia being a region filled with people of
diverse backgrounds failed to have a common “Russian”
culture that could have created a sense of identity and united
the people.
● The region was also geographically massive and economically
divided; it did not have the concept of a “middle class”
● The only common feature among the people of Russia was
their working conditions and poverty, which was leveraged by
leaders like Lenin in the future to stir the revolution of 1917
 What was happening in 1905?

● The Russo-Japanese War (Feb 1904 - Sept 1905) - a war

to acquire territory by both countries for imperialist
reasons
● Japan was winning and Russia was losing the battle
● The Tsar refused to withdraw from the war despite the
heavy impact it was having on the Russian economy
● To make up for the costs of the war, Tsar imposed heavy
tax burdens on the peasants, who were already under
Tsar Nicholas II difficult living and conditions conditions
Image Source: wikipedia
What was happening in 1905?

● In January 1905, Russians took to the

streets to demonstrate a peaceful protest
against the Tsar, marching to his winter
palace in St Petersburg
● A miscommunication and the
overwhelming sight of the mob, resulted
in the military forces of the Tsar attacking
the protestors, resulting in event “Bloody
Sunday Massacre”. Hundreds of
protesters were killed during this
incident.
What was happening in 1905?

● A Civil War, alongside massive protests, erupted across

the country which forced the Tsar to accept the
formation of a Duma (a constituent assembly of
representatives)
● It was during this time that the workers organized and
formed groups called the Soviets (which translates to
workers’ groups)
 What was happening in 1905?
The October
Manifesto was a ● The 1905 Revolution eventually led to the formation of
document issues by
Tsar Nicholas in
the Duma, which came into effect by the October
response to 1905 Manifesto issued by Tsar Nicholas under influence of
revolution. It Sergei Witte
promised civil
liberties to the public,
● The October Manifesto was a precursor to the
as well as the constitution
establishment of the ● This resulted in the formation of a political party called
State Duma. the Octoborists who favoured a limited constitutional
monarchy and represented wealthy landowners and
industrialists
What was happening in 1905?

● In order to revive the economic standing of Russia, Sergei

Witte decided to introduce industrialization and use
tariffs to strengthen the economy
● However this only further weakened the living conditions
of the people.
What was happening in 1905?

● However the Tsar, who was a strong believer in the divine

right of kings, did not want to cede power; he limited the
power of the Duma
● He held the right to rule, if a Duma was not in session
● He even went so far as to dissolve the Duma, if the
reforms proposed by the Duma directly conflicted with
the Tsar’s power
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● In 1914, Russia entered WW1 to defend its ally Serbia
after Austria-Hungary declared a war on Serbia
● Although the country was making slow progress, its
people still suffered severe poverty
● The entry into war lead Russia to repeated military
defeats, economic crisis and social unrest started to grow
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● In March 1917 (Feb 1917 Julian), many protesters took to
the streets on Women's Day in Petrograd (St. Petersburg)
over food shortages and the pressures of the war on the
economy
● Massive strikes erupted, troops mutinied instead of
suppressing the protest
● Resulted in the formation of the Petrograd Soviet, who
represented the rights and interests of workers -
included parties like Mensheviks and Socialist
Revolutionaries
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● Simultaneously, a Provisional Committee was created by
the Duma, with members from the Duma and Petrograd
Soviet
● The Tsar was forced to abdicate within few days, ending
hundreds of years of Romanov rule
● The Provisional Committee formed the Provisional
Government to fill the power vacuum left by the Tsar
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, returned from exile
and demanded, “peace, land and bread”
● Armed protests led by Bolsheviks in June were crushed by the
Provisional Government; Leon Trotsky was arrested and Lenin
went into hiding
● In June, Alexander Kerensky was appointed Prime Minister
● Provisional Government under Kerensky, instead of
withdrawing from the war, initiated the June Offensive in WW1
- a military attack launched on the Central Powers, which was
met with massive defeat causing high casualties, loss of
territory and a severe blow to the reputation of the Provisional
Government
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● In August, a failed coup by General Kornilov to overthrow
the Provisional Government, who despised the monarchy
and the socialists
● The coup failed due to the support from the Petrograd
Soviets and the Bolsheviks
● This gained more credibility for the Bolsheviks
What were reasons for Revolution of
1917?
● The Bolsheviks, used the already weakening power of the
Provisional Government and seized key locations in
Petrograd in October
● They stormed the Winter Palace with armed troops and
overthrew the Provsional Government
● Lenin established a Soviet Government, a new rule of the
Bolsheviks and the formation of a communist state
LET’S DEBATE!!

Do you think the Russian

Revolution was inevitable?
Use these points to make your
argument
CAUSES: EFFECTS/CONSEQUENCES

Widespread poverty among The abdication of Czar Nicholas II

peasants
Rise of the Bolsheviks
Russia’s failure in World War I
Russia exits World War I
Czar Nicholas II’s poor leadership
Civil War breaks out
Influence of Rasputin
Execution of the royal family
Lack of political freedom