Changes

By 1900, imperial decline became evident. Russia was defeated in the unpopular [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1905. The [[Russian Revolution of 1905]] forced Tsar [[Nicholas II]] (1894-1917) to grant a constitution and introduce limited democratic reforms. The government suppressed opposition and manipulated popular anger into anti-Semitic pogroms. Attempts at economic change, such as land reform, were incomplete.  

By 1900, imperial decline became evident. Russia was defeated in the unpopular [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1905. The [[Russian Revolution of 1905]] forced Tsar [[Nicholas II]] (1894-1917) to grant a constitution and introduce limited democratic reforms. The government suppressed opposition and manipulated popular anger into anti-Semitic pogroms. Attempts at economic change, such as land reform, were incomplete.  

====1917 Revolution and the U.S.S.R.====

====1917 Revolutions and the U.S.S.R.====

The ruinous effects of [[World War I]], combined with internal pressures, sparked the March 1917 uprising that led Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate the throne. A provisional government came to power, headed by [[Aleksandr Kerenskiy]]. On November 7, 1917, the [[Bolshevik Party]], led by [[Vladimir Lenin]], seized control and established the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. Civil war broke out in 1918 between Lenin's "Red" army and various "White" forces and lasted until 1920, when, despite foreign interventions and [[Polish-Soviet War|an unsuccessful war]] with [[Poland]], the Bolsheviks triumphed. After the Red army conquered [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Azerbaijan]], Georgia, and [[Armenia]], a new nation, the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (U.S.S.R.), was formed in 1922.  

 

The ruinous effects of [[World War I]], combined with internal pressures, sparked the March 1917 uprising that led Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate the throne. A provisional government came to power, headed by [[Aleksandr Kerenskiy]]. Kerensky organized the “Kerensky Offensive” intended to restart Russia’s momentum on the collapsing front against the [[Central Powers]] (Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Turkey). The Kerensky Offensive quickly turned into a rout against Russia. The Central Powers advanced almost without opposition deeper into Russian territory. The Provisional Government's ruling coalition collapsed in early July over the humiliations of the Offensive and continued disputes over the autonomy of the provinces that made up the Ukraine (When authors add “the” before Ukraine is used to refer to the region, divorced from a national context), which was then a part of Russia.

 

On November 7, 1917, the [[Bolshevik Party]], led by [[Vladimir Lenin]], seized control and established the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. Civil war broke out in 1918 between Lenin's "Red" army and various "White" forces and lasted until 1920, when, despite foreign interventions and [[Polish-Soviet War|an unsuccessful war]] with [[Poland]], the Bolsheviks triumphed. After the Red army conquered [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Azerbaijan]], Georgia, and [[Armenia]], a new nation, the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (U.S.S.R.), was formed in 1922.  

First among its political figures was Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Party and head of the first Soviet Government, who died in 1924.

First among its political figures was Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Party and head of the first Soviet Government, who died in 1924.