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Marxists Revolutionaries split
Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revolutionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader. -
The Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan competed for control of Korea and Manchuria. The two nations signed a series of agreements over the territories, but Russia broke them. In this month Japan retailed by attacking the Russians at Port, Arthur, and Manchuria. -
Bloody Sunday: The Revolution of 1905
On this day 200,000 workers and their families approached the czar’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. They carries a petition asking for better working conditions more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. -
Bloody Sunday: The Revolution of 1905
The first Duma met in May of 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. -
World War I: The Final Blow
In this month Nicholas II made the fateful decision to drag Russia into World War I. Russia was unprepared to handle the military and economic costs. Is weak generals and poorly equipped troops were no match for the German Army. -
The March Revolution
Women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. In the next five days, riots flared up over shortages of bread and fuel. Nearly 200,000 workers swarmed the streets shouting, at first the soldiers obeyed orders to shoot the rioters but later sided with them. -
The Provisional Government Topples
Without warning, armed factory workers stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd. Calling themselves the Bolshevik Red Guards, they took over government offices and arrested leaders of the provisional government. -
Bolsheviks in Power
Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia surrendered a large part of its territory to Germany and its allies. The terms of this treaty triggered widespread anger among many Russians. -
Civil War Rages in Russia
In this month civil war raged in Russia. Several Western nations, including the United STates, sent military aid and forces to Russia to help the White Army, however they were little help. -
New Economic Policy
Lenin temporarily put aside his plan for a state-controlled economy. Instead, he resorted to a small-scale version of capitalism called the New Economic Policy. This allowed peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning them over to the government. -
Stalin Becomes Dictator
Lenin suffered a stroke in 1922. He survived but the incident set in motion competition for heading up the Communist Party. Two of the most notable men were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin.