Chapter 2a: The Rise of Stalin (Lesson 1 of 2) In this lesson, you will learn about the Russian Revolutions of 1917 and how they set the stage for Stalin's rise to power. We will get through a few key names and terms, such as the 'Bolsheviks', 'Communism' and 'Lenin'. You will also see a guest appearance by Les Miserables (which, I repeat, has absolutely no historical relevance to the rise of Stalin).

2.  Treaty of Versailles and its impact
 The League of Nations and its failure
Any questions?

3.  Understand the background to the Russian Revolution
 Learn about a few key terms:
 Bolsheviks
 Communism
 Lenin

4.  Russia was fighting in World War I
 Conditions were horrible for soldiers and civilians
alike
 Cold winters
 No food
 Losing a lot of land
People were unhappy!!!

6. Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people who will not be
slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drum
There is a life about to start when
tomorrow comes!

7.  In 1917, Russia experienced two revolutions
 Revolution 1: The February* Revolution
 Protests and riots led by soviets in Petrograd (major
city in Russia)
 Tsar abdicated in March
 Provisional Government was formed
 After the February* Revolution, Russia continued
fighting WWI against the Central Powers
*Also called the March Revolution. CONFUSION!!

8.  Revolution 2: The October* Revolution
 Bolsheviks were unhappy with the Provisional Govt
 Started another revolution
 Provisional Govt was overthrown and a Communist govt was
established
 After the October* Revolution, Russia surrendered to
Germany at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and pulled out of
WWI
*Also known as the November Revolution. CONFUSION!!!

10. Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people who will not be
slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drum
There is a life about to start when
tomorrow comes!

11. What is Communism?
Based on the word ‘communal’ or ‘community’
Founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Emphasised the needs of the majority working class
Rejected the system of capitalism

12. The Working
Class
The Upper
Class
The Middle
Class

14. Who were the Bolsheviks?
Communist Party in Russia
Derived from the Russian word for ‘majority’
Widely respected by many soviets
Used red: blood of the people
Led by a man named Vladimir Lenin

16. Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men
It is the music of a people who will not be
slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drum
There is a life about to start when
tomorrow comes!

17.  Founder of the Bolshevik party
 Forced to leave Russia before WWI because he was
caught trying to overthrow the Tsar
 Germans helped Lenin to return to Russia
 Hoped that he would help take Russia out of the war
 His slogan was ‘Peace, Land, Bread’
 Venerated by many Russian communists
 i.e. He be Da Man

18.  Lenin fell very sick…
 Everyone started fighting to become his successor