20th Century Russia

By DrewThompson2420
  • Period: to

    20th Century Russia

    20 most important events that occured in Russia during the 20th Century

  • Revolution of 1905

    The Russian people protest against the Tsarist government. Overall, the revolution failed but sparked reform movements.

  • World War I begins

    The country's military suffers terrible losses. The war cripples an entire generation

  • February Revolution

    The Tsarist government overthrown and a new Democratic government is established.

  • Russian Civil War Begins

    Russia withdraws from World War I to fight it's own civil war. The Communists, led by Vladimir Lenin, win the war and overthrow the Democratic government.

  • Soviet Union Established

    Vladimir Lenin becomes the first dicator of the Soviet Union and begins a policy of limited Capitalism.

  • Vladimir Lenin Dies

    Revolutionary and dictator Vladimir Lenin dies. He is replaced by Joseph Stalin.

  • The Stalin Constitution is Adopted

    The new constitution creates state-run agriculture and mass industrialization. Stalin creates a totalitarian government and rules his people through fear.

  • Russia joins World War II

    Hitler breaks the non-aggression pact with Stalin. Russia is now fighting the Nazis on their western boorder while simultaneously fighting a seperate war against Finland.

  • Defeats Axis Powers in Europe

    The end of World War II leaves most of Europe in pieces and begins a fierce rivalry with the United States.

  • Joe I, First Russian Atomic Bomb

    The Soviets test Joe I, their first atomic bomb, four years after the United States tested their first. This sparks an arms race between the Soviets and the United States.

  • Death of Joseph Stalin

    Stalin dies of a stroke in Moscow. He is replaced by Nikita Khruschev.

  • Warsaw Pact Made

    This is a mutual defense organization the Soviet Union and most of Eastern Europe. This widens their sphere of influence strengthens Russia's hold on their satellite states.

  • Sputnik Launched

    Sputnik 1 is the first space satellite launched by man, this begins a space race against the United States.

  • Berlin Wall Built

    The wall separates the Democratic West Germany and the Communist East. This is mostly a symbol of the Cold War against the United States.

  • First Man in Space

    Soviets send Yuri Gagarin into orbit of Earth, he is the first man in space.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis

    A military and political standoff in Cuba with the United States. This is the closest the world hes ever come to a nuclear war.

  • Invasion of Afghanistan

    The Soviet military invades Afghanistan and begins a war againsts US-supported Mujahidin. The military suffers through 10 years of war and withdraws from Afghanistan in 1989.

  • Gorbachev Takes Power

    Mikkhail Gorbachevtakes power. He begins new domestic policies, making the government and country more open.

  • Chernobyl Nuclear Accident

    A nuclear reactor explodes at Chernobyl plant in Ukraine, one of the Soviet satellite states. It is the world's worst nuclear power accident to date. The disaster affected more than 150,000 people and still counting.

  • Soviet Union Collaspses

    The USSR finally collapses after a long and bloody reign. This is mostly accredited to Gorbachev's reforms.

  • Berlin Wall Torn Down

    The wall is torn down and Germany reunited. This is the symbolic end of the Cold War.