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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
A series of worker strikes, protests and riots took place In 1905 eventually building into a revolution. Eventually, to placate his people, the October Manifesto was issued by Tsar Nicholas II. The document effectively made Russia a constitutional monarchy and established civil liberties like freedom of speech, press, assembly, etc. It also allowed people to have a legislative system known as the Duma whose members were elected. -
Beginning of WW1
Austria-Hungary gave an ultimatum to Serbia, which was a Russian ally, causing Russia to issue a warning to Austria-Hungary warning them against an attack, when this was ignored and Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, Russia mobilized its military against Austria-Hungary. During the war Russia was allied with France and Britain in an alliance known as the Triple Entente. -
Nicholas II takes control of army
Nicholas II took command of his military during WWI, but due to his lack of experience and knowledge in military operations Russia took several losses under his command. His position at the head of the army prompted his people to view him as responsible for Russia’s loss and started to create doubt surrounded the Tsar’s reign. -
Assassination of Rasputin
Rasputin was killed by Pavlovich and Yusupov in Yusupov’s home because they believed that his involvement with Tsar Nicholas II threatened Russia. He was first poisoned which seemed to have no effect so was later shot in the head and his body was dumped into the Little Nevka river. -
Brusilov Offensive
Launched by the Russian army in June 1916 during World War I, the Brusilov Offensive aimed to relieve pressure on the Allies by attacking the Austro-Hungarian forces on the Eastern Front. Despite initial successes, the offensive ultimately faltered due to logistical challenges and stiff enemy resistance. -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
Woman textile workers started a protest against Russia’s involvement in WWI, food shortages, and the demanding the removal of the Tsar. This protest overtook the entire city of Petrograd. This protest/riot was the first step into the February revolution. -
Provisional Government formed
After the February Revolution, a Provisional Government was established in Russia, tasked with governing the country in the wake of the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. This government, led by liberals and moderate socialists, struggled to maintain control amidst growing social and political unrest. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Because of the unrest seen in the civilian population of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II stepped down, abdicating power to his brother who refused it, giving power to Russia’s provisional government, leading to the end of tsarism in Russia. -
April Theses published
Lenin's April Theses, published upon his return to Russia, outlined his vision for a socialist revolution based on the slogan "Peace, Land, and Bread" and called for the overthrow of the Provisional Government. These theses galvanized support for the Bolshevik cause and set the stage for the October Revolution. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard
The Red Guard was organized by Trotsky and comprised mainly of armed industrial workers and former soldiers. It had as many as 200,000 men. The Red Guards were untrained and lacking both military discipline and combat readiness. Red Guards were essential to the collapse of Imperial Russian Army and the base formations of Bolsheviks during the October Revolution and the first months of the Russian Civil War. -
Return of Lenin from exile
Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolsheviks, returned to Russia from exile in April 1917, advocating for a radical transformation of the Russian political landscape. His return catalyzed the Bolshevik movement and intensified the revolutionary fervor spreading across the country. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets convened in June 1917, bringing together delegates representing workers, soldiers, and peasants from across Russia. This congress became a pivotal forum for revolutionary discourse and laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of Bolshevik power. -
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July Days
The July Days of 1917 saw widespread protests and demonstrations in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), sparked by popular discontent with the Provisional Government's handling of the war and economic crises. These events highlighted the growing radicalization of the Russian masses and set the stage for further political upheaval. -
Kornilov Affair
The Kornilov affair was an attempted military coup by General Lavr Kornilov, from 10 to 13 September 1917, against the Russian Provisional Government. This significant because the Bolsheviks were able to later take advantage and seize power. -
Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government
The Bolsheviks revolution led by Lenin overthrew the Provisional Government on November 6, 1917. They occupied buildings and other locations in the Russian capital and within two days they had full control. The Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government because they wanted a socialist economy. -
Cheka formed
The Cheka was the secret police of the Bolsheviks established by Vladimir Lenin in the Soviet Union after the October Russian Revolution in 1917. It was divided into three sections: information, organization, fighting. The main purpose of the Cheka was to stop any counter-revolution against the Bolsheviks through any means. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The Russian constituent assembly met for one day and disbanded the next. The assembly met to elect and establish a government for Russia after the fall of the Russian government and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas. It disbanded because it did not align with the Bolsheviks wanted political outcomes. The Bolsheviks desired a socialist state, and when that was not achieved with the Constituent Assembly, the constituent assembly was disbanded. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The treaty marked Russia's final withdrawal from World War I. It took away Russian territory and gave them to Germany. That included a quarter of the population and the industry of the former Russian Empire and nine tenths of its coal mines. It ensured money gain for Germany as well as the removal of a war on its eastern front and to ensure safety for Russia. This treaty was a major setback for the allies because it meant that Russia was no longer fighting in the war. -
Wartime Communism Created
A new economic policy was introduced to ensure food supplies to the army. The government took control of the large factories, planned and organized production, disciplined the workers strictly. Ration cards for food were only given to workers. Peasants had to give their surplus supplies to government. Wartime communism caused an oppressive system that negatively affected people as they lost basic rights. It is significant because it shows how violent Lenin was regarding establishing power. -
Red Terror
Red terror was the policy of violence aimed at crushing all political opposition during the civil war. After it began, 100s of foreign officials and residents living within the Soviet territory were under Cheka’s interrogation. However, most of its victims were associated with the former monarchy. Red terror caused fear in opposition which affected Russia’s political environment as it silenced any opponents. It is significant because it shows how Lenin took power through his forceful techniques. -
Kolchak begins attacks against Reds
Kolchak planned a triple offensive against the Reds to take control of Moscow. He advanced to Moscow while Denikin led an offensive from the south, Yudenich marched on Petrograd. They were successful at first, but they underestimated the Reds' power and failed when they counterattacked. By June 9th, the Reds captured Ufa where it started. Underestimating its power caused them to fail and affected Lenin who established his power. It is significant because it shows how powerful the Reds were. -
Poles move toward Kiev
Poland recognized the independence of Ukraine, Poland and Ukrainian troops began their military campaign. On May 7, 1920, Pilsudski’s cavalry entered Kiev with Ukrainian troops to fight the common enemy of Russia. The alliance between Ukraine and Poland created a stronger enemy against Russia which influenced the internation relations as Russia wanted to start a world revolution. This is significant because it shows how countries worked together to stop Russia. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
The soviet Army reached Warsaw and marched through Europe for a world revolution. But, Pilsudski created a battle plan called Miracle on the Vistula. Poland’s elite First Army defended Warsaw while Polish forces attacked the Reds from the rear, north, south. As a result, the Reds were repelled and Russian POWs were in control of the poles. The failed attack led to loss for Russia and calmed the tension about world peace. It's significant because it stopped Russia from disrupting world peace. -
Tambov Rebellion
Peasants rebelled against the Bolsheviks southeast of Moscow. Began with resistance to the forced confiscation of grain, then became guerilla warfare against the Soviet Russian authorities. Most of the peasant army was destroyed by 1921. During the suppression of the uprising, around 100,000 people were arrested and 15,000 killed. The immediate and powerful consequence on the peasants demonstrates Lenin’s consolidation of power, the regime was willing to use ruthless measures to maintain power. -
Kronstadt uprising
A 1921 uprising of sailors, workers, and soldiers in the Russian port city of Kronstadt against Bolshevik policies and rule. They demanded greater political freedom, civil rights reforms for the working class, and economic freedom for peasants and workers. The revolt lasted 16 days until finally being suppressed by the Red Army. The swift repression of the uprising once again signifies Lenin’s consolidation of power; the brutal use to limit dissent in Russia reinforces the regime’s power. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
The implementation of NEP was the ending of Wartime Communism. As a response to economic hardship and social unrest, the NEP restored some economic stability, however it ignited dispute within the Bolsheviks. The policy affected authoritarian control through the relinquishment of government influence in the market, however the stabilization of economic and social order fulfills the aims of the policy, effectively maintaining the regime’s power through success. -
Treaty of Rapallo
Signed between Germany and Soviet Russia, the treaty was a means for both countries to bypass restrictions placed by the Treaty of Versailles post-WW1. It facilitated long-term military cooperation, trade, diplomacy, and allowed technological collaboration. The use of foreign policy to reinforce the government's might demonstrates the Bolsheviks’ consolidation of power due to the implications of military and technological cooperation: increased abilities to suppress opposition. -
Formation of Soviet Union
Four socialist republics were established on the territory of the former empire. During its time, the Soviet Union made many significant social and technological achievements and advancements. It had the world's second-largest economy and largest standing military. It was also the first country to form a government based on the system known as Communism -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
The soviet attacked Ukraine in 1919. They occupied Kharkiv in January and by February, they captured Kyiv, taking control over the capital. Because of war communism policies, the Ukrainian peasantry was alienated which led to more resistance and uprisings. Taking over Ukraine was significant because it shows how Lenin was spreading his influence over different places. -
Lenin Dies
At first doctors said that he died due to health related issues, there were two bullets left in his body, the direct cause of his death. The autopsy showed that Lenin's repeated strokes were due to severe atherosclerosis of his cerebral arteries