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The term '''Russian Revolution''' can refer to two separate events. The first revolution was attempted in 1905, but was unsuccessful. It began with "Bloody Sunday", a peaceful protest for improvements to working conditions. The protesters were gunned down by soldiers, under orders from Tsar [[Nicholas II]]. It did, however, lead to the formation of a parliament with limited powers, known as the Duma.

The term '''Russian Revolution''' can refer to two separate events. The first revolution was attempted in 1905, but was unsuccessful. It began with "Bloody Sunday", a peaceful protest for improvements to working conditions. The protesters were gunned down by soldiers, under orders from Tsar [[Nicholas II]]. It did, however, lead to the formation of a parliament with limited powers, known as the Duma.

The second, successful revolution, was a series of socio-economic upheavals in [[Russia]] in 1917, leading ultimately to the [[Russian Civil War]].  The Revolution occurred in two phases: the [[February Revolution]] and [[October Revolution]]. As a result of the revolution, Russia withdrew from the [[Allied_Powers#Allies_of_World_War_II|Allied Powers]].  The repressive [[Communist Party]] overthrew the provisional Kerensky government which was in the organizational stages of a [[democracy]].   

The second, successful revolution, was a series of socio-economic upheavals in [[Russia]] in 1917, leading ultimately to the [[Russian Civil War]].  The Revolution occurred in two phases: the [[February Revolution]] and [[October Revolution]]. As a result of the revolution, Russia withdrew from the [[Allied Powers#Allies of World War II|Allied Powers]].  The repressive [[Communist Party]] overthrew the provisional Kerensky government which was in the organizational stages of a [[democracy]].   

The [[Great War]] had weakened Tsar Nicholas II, and he abdicated the throne in March 1917.  Russia was left under the provisional government of [[Alexander Kerensky]], which intended to continue fighting in the war, but in November 1917, the [[Bolshevik]] Communist Party, led by [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin]], overthrew the provisional government and executed the Czar's family.

The [[Great War]] had weakened Tsar Nicholas II, and he abdicated the throne in March 1917.  Russia was left under the provisional government of [[Alexander Kerensky]], which intended to continue fighting in the war, but in November 1917, the [[Bolshevik]] Communist Party, led by [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin]], overthrew the provisional government and executed the Czar's family.

Lenin made peace with [[Germany]] and then withdrew Russia from the war.  In March of 1918, Lenin signed the [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk]], which granted Germany many territories, including what is now Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, and Latvia.  This was a humiliating defeat, but Russia was simply too weak to fight anymore.

Lenin made peace with [[Germany]] and then withdrew Russia from the war.  In March 1918, Lenin signed the [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk]], which granted Germany many territories, including what is now Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, and Latvia.  This was a humiliating defeat, but Russia was simply too weak to fight anymore.

The Russian revolution was essentially a [[Socialist]] revolution. Lenin preferred to call his government a Communist government though the term meant very much the same. In fact Russia became known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. However, Lenin and his colleagues completely discarded the idea of a [[democracy|democratically]] controlled society and instead set up what they called the [[Dictatorship of the Proletariat]] which was in fact nothing more than a dictatorship by the Communist Party, a tiny fraction of the population. It was in fact a dictatorship by technicians and managers formed into a ''[[nomenklatura]]'' or elite,­ the so­-called experts in the Socialist organization.  

The Russian revolution was essentially a [[Socialist]] revolution. Lenin preferred to call his government a Communist government though the term meant very much the same. In fact Russia became known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. However, Lenin and his colleagues completely discarded the idea of a [[democracy|democratically]] controlled society and instead set up what they called the [[Dictatorship of the Proletariat]] which was in fact nothing more than a dictatorship by the Communist Party, a tiny fraction of the population. It was in fact a dictatorship by technicians and managers formed into a ''[[nomenklatura]]'' or elite,­ the so­-called experts in the Socialist organization.  

Politically, Lenin established the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (USSR) in 1922, allowing one central government under Lenin to control many socialized republics. In 1924, the [[Bolsheviks]] began calling themselves “Communists”.  But there was only one political party, and it held all the power. It was the [[Communist Party]].

Politically, Lenin established the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (USSR) in 1922, allowing one central government under Lenin to control many socialized republics. In 1924, the [[Bolsheviks]] began calling themselves “Communists”.  But there was only one political party, and it held all the power. It was the [[Communist Party]].

[[category:European History]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:Russia]]

[[Category:Russia]]

[[Category:Dictatorships]]

[[Category:Dictatorships]]

[[Category:Soviet Union]]

[[Category:Soviet Union]]