The Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution is a two-part series created by OverSimplified that covers the events that caused and happened before, during, and after the Russian Revolution.

Part 1
For centuries, people in the Russian Empire have been poor and lacked the standard of life juxtaposed to the West. In 1848, Karl Marx wrote a manifesto about an ideology called Communism. Vladimir Lenin read this manifesto and loved the idea of a Communist Utopia. Years later, countries throughout Europe were experiencing another Industrial Revolution. Russia with feudalism still present, most Russians were living in extreme poverty and under the autocracy of Tsar. After the death of Nicholas I, Alexander II became Tsar of the empire. He created many reforms, which emancipated the serfs. When Alexander was assassinated in March 1881, his son, Alexander III, became Tsar. Alexander III reversed his father's reforms, repressed Non-Russians, and created secret police named "Okhrana." He died due to kidney inflammation, and his childish son, Nicholas II, became Tsar. Nicholas was unpopular among the Russian public due to the.

Many people wanted to install a republic in Russia. Still, several people, most notably Vladimir Lenin, wanted to replace the autocracy of the Tsars with Communism. Lenin was sent to Siberia, then left Russia to Europe. In Europe, Lenin became part of a group of other Communist Russians. Lenin would create a division in the group for some time. He started his radical faction called the Bolsheviks. While in Russia, the empire industrialized. This led to multiple revolts by peasants, workers, etc. Nicholas led Russia into a war with Japan. Still, the Russian army suffered numerous defeats, and the whole country was angry. In 1905, Georgy Gapon led a peaceful protest. Unfortunately, an army guarding the Winter Palace killed him, resulting in another revolution. Leon Trotsky created the Soviets, and the navy started to mutiny. However, Nicholas defeated the protestors. He then appointed Pyotr Stolypin and increased repression all over Russia. The Russian economy was doing fine, and Stolypin created many reforms after the 1905 revolution. Lenin met Joseph Stalin in Finland, but Stalin was sent to Siberia. Grigori Rasputin became famous for his "healing" powers, then came to good terms with Nicholas after helping his son. Rasputin had multiple "naughty" parties in Russian palaces, and the public was shocked over this.

Part 2
In 1914, WW1 began, and Russia joined the Entente Powers. The war was popular in Russia, but they were losing territory. Soon, the war became unpopular, and many soldiers in the front lines deserted. Nicholas II was forced to abdicate (give up the throne), and the Tsar's rule over Russia ended. A group called the Duma came to power, and the Germans sent Lenin to Russia. Lenin created a new idea of giving people peace, bread, and land. Thus, Lenin and his party became popular. Unfortunately, the new government messed up, and multiple revolts happened. Finally, in late 1917, Lenin and his party took control of Russia. Lenin was later shot, and Russia lost land to Germany.

Meanwhile, numerous groups were still angry, and a civil war happened in Russia between the Bolsheviks and the White Russians (Democratic Supporters). Finally, in 1923, the Bolsheviks defeated the Whites and ended the civil war. With so much stress, Lenin suffered from strokes and died in 1924. Stalin, a Bolshevik member, became secretary, and he took advantage of his position. When Lenin died, Stalin became dictator of the newly created Soviet Union.

Trivia

 * The Russian Revolution series is the eighteenth series to be uploaded to the OverSimplified channel.
 * Both parts of the Russian Revolution series are the twenty-second and twenty-third videos to get uploaded to the OverSimplified channel.