World War I and the Russian Revolution
Lesson 4 Revolution in Russia
Key Terms: define or identify the following terms
Proletariat: working class
Soviet: council of workers and soldiers set up by Russian revolutionaries in 1917.
V.I. Lenin: a Russian communist revolutionary who led the Bolsheviks to victory in the
Russian October revolution. He served as the premier of the soviet-union from 1922
until his death in 1924. He adapted the ideas of Karl Marx to create a type of
communism known as Marxism – Leninism.
Cheka: early secret police force
Commissar: communist party official assigned to the army to teach party principles and
ensure party loyalty during the Russian revolution.
Causes of the February Revolution: Text 1
1. Identify Cause and Effect How was World War I a major cause of revolution in
Russia? Provide specific details from the text to support your answer.
At the start of the war, Russia was a vast empire with a large army, but was politically
and industrially backward. It triggered the February revolution. Suffered major losses
which led to the Russian revolution.
2. Analyze Interactions Among Ideas According to Marxism, the proletariat would
overthrow governments and set up a classless society in which wealth and power
would be equally shared. Did Lenin’s version of Marxism remain true to the spirit
of Marxism? Why or why not?
No, Lenin and the Bolsheviks did not believe in Marxism. Lenin created a “dictatorship
of the Proletariat” Instead of a classless society. The Bolsheviks retained power and
determined how wealth would be disturbed, rather than disturbing power and wealth
equally. The government was in charge of the economy.
Lenin Leads the Bolsheviks: Text 2
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4
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3. Identify Cause and Effect How did the Bolsheviks gain power and momentum?
The Bolshevik revolution saw the Bolsheviks seize and occupy government buildings
and the winter palace.
The October Revolution Brings the Bolsheviks to Power: Text 3
4. Identify Cause and Effect How did the actions and inactions of the Russian
provisional government cause the October Revolution?
The provisional government continued the war effort thus denying
peasants access to land. The Russian people began to suffer and die as a
result of the war and hunger.
5. Draw Conclusions Why was Lenin’s promise of “Peace, Land, and Bread” so
effective in gaining support for the Bolsheviks?
Gain popular support to overthrow the government.
6. Did Lenin fulfill his promise to the Russian people? Cite evidence from the text to
support your answer.
Civil War Erupts in Russia: Text 4
7. Identify Cause and Effect What were the causes and effects of Allied
intervention in the Russian Civil War?
Allied interference was used as propaganda to help the Bolsheviks gain support.
Overall, after the Allies won World War I, they were disappointed with the Bolsheviks
and their role in Russia’s withdrawal from the conflict. Furthermore, the allies resisted
communism, and hence the Bolsheviks.
1. Analyze Interactions How were the Reds able to defeat the Whites in the
Russian Civil War?
They couldn’t coordinate attacks because they were away. As a result, the numerous
White Armies were unable to work together effectively. They fought on their own,
making it easier for the Red Army to kill them one by one
The Communist Soviet Union Emerges: Text 5
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2. Assess an Argument The Communists drew up a constitution that, according to
the text, asserted that “all political power, resources, and means of production
would belong to workers and peasants.” How truthful was this assertion?
In their constitution, the communists were not honest. The government and economy
were under the influence of the communist party, not the citizens. This likely lowered the
Soviet Union’s prestige, making people less likely to trust leaders in the future.
3. Compare and Contrast How were war communism and the New Economic
Policy different in their policies and their results?
When the government took over all companies and services, including food. It limited
the private business industry. The economy then improved.
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4
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