-
Formation of the USSR
Delegations from Russia, Ukraine, Belorus, and Transcaucasia apprived the Treaty on creation of USSR. The formal proclamation was made in Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. -
Constitution of the USSR adopted
On paper, created federal system of independant republics, All-Soviet Congress became the supreme administrative body, Executive Committee became the most impirtant executive body. Practically the USSR was and stayed a dictatorship. -
Death of Lenin
Lenin's body was embalmed and exhibited in mausoleum despite his wife objecting it. After Lenin's death Stalin started to consolidate his power and neutralize his political opponents, later getting absolute control over the country. -
The end of NEP
NEP, previousely introduced under rule of Lenin brought back some elements of market economy to Soviet Russia, to help the economy to be restored after the civil war and international isolation. NEP was sucessfull, however went against economic ideas of communist idealogy, and was terminated by Stalin. -
Period: to
First five-year plan
One of the goals of the first five-year plan was to strengthen the USSR in order for it to be able to resist internal and external threats by rapid industrialization and collectivisation if agriculture. Quotas to be reached were completely unrealistic, and the development wasn't effective. Nevertheless some of the goals were met and industry was developed, essentially the basis of heavy industry was established. -
Period: to
Famine
During these years famine occured mostly in Ukraine, Southern Russia, and Kazahstan, however other regions were affected as well. It is estimated, up to 9 million people died. The famine was caused by the actions of the Soviet government: collectivisation of agriculture, grain procurement, and "liquidation of kulaks" The governmet didn't take measures to help the people affected, moreover sometimes the hunger was strengthen on purpose. -
Period: to
Second five-year plan
The quatas to be fulfilled during the second five-year plan were reduced, eventhough still were almost never achieved. In these years, however, the heavy industry, steel production particularly grew with a very fast pace. The plan also included fight with religion: liquidation of churches and other houses of worship and elimination of clergy. -
Period: to
Great Purge
Eventhough the terror in the USSR was a reality since it's establishment till death of Stalin during this period Stalin's paranoia reached it's peak. His enemies, real or fictional were sent to labour camps or executed after being accused of "Connections with foreign spies", "Symphathy towards Trotsky", or "Conter-Revolutionery Activities". The repressions also affected the command stuff of the Red Army and Fleet, which was a very important factor in collapse of the Eastern Front in 1941-1942. -
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
The 10-year non-aggression pact was signed right before Germany started the invasion of Poland and involved into the war with the Allies, and allowed it not to dedicate resources for protection of the Eastern borders. In Additional Secret Protocol of the Pact Germany and USSR devided their "spheres of interests," practically dividing the territories of the Eastern Europe. -
Soviet invasion of Poland
The USSR invaded Poland 17 days after the invasion by the Germany, which practically led to comlete collapse of the Polish defence. After a short campaign Poland was divided between USSR and Germany accoring to the Additional Secret Protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and Red Army organized a military parade together with Wehrmacht in Brest. -
Soviet invasion of Finland
Official Soviet position was the invasion of Finland was in order to secure Leningrad as the Finish border was too close to it, however the real goal was the to establish a Pro-Soviet regime in Finland.
Despite total Soviet advantage in numbers of infantry, military vehicles, and aviation, Finland managed to offer resistance and hold the frontline, making the total occupation of Finland impossible. After approximately 2 months a peace treaty was signed, Finland retained its independence. -
German invasion of USSR
German troops were ordered to cross the border of the USSR breaking the non-aggression act. The Red Army was not ready to resist the invasion as Stalin did not order to start the defence preparation untill it was too late, despite intelligence providing him reports on German military preparations, howerver despite poor equipment and disorganisation of the army some troops managed to slow down the advancement of Wehrmacht quite significantly, for example near Brest.