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Russian Revolution 1905 and October Manifesto
The 1905 Revolution was a period of social and political unrest against Tsar Nicholas II wherein citizens protested the Russo-Japanese War, poverty, etc. The October Manifesto was later signed by Nicholas II to end the unlimited autocracy and create a
constitutional monarchy. This picture shows the October Manifesto, displaying it's importance as an official document. -
Beginning of WWI
World War 1 started as a result of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's death, as well as the imperialism, militarism, alliances, and nationalism of the European nations. The picture displays archduke Ferdinand being targeted, implying he was an important figure. -
Csar Nicholas II takes sole control of military
Nicholas II moved from St. Petersburg to army headquarters in Russian Poland to take control of the Russian Army on August 30, 1915, as he sought to improve morale and inspire the soldiers by fighting alongside them. The picture shows him working with other military personnel, displaying his leadership skills and dedication to the country. -
Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov Offensive, from June 4th to June 20th, 1916, was a significant success for Russia during WW1, led by General Aleksey Brusilov against Austria-Hungary. While this was a successful attack that limited Austria-Hungary, Russia lacked the resources needed to repeat another success. This picture properly represents this as it depicts the kind of cavalry used in the attack -
Assassination of Rasputin
Rasputin was assassinated in the Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia by nobles who wanted to end his influence over the Royal Family. The picture is important as it shows how Rasputin was targeted by a lot of people and shows his unpopularity. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
As he continued to lose support during the strikes in February, Nicholas II had to abdicate when the army garrison in Petrograd joined the people in wanting socialist reforms. The picture is important as it shows how the Tsar's abdication was happily accepted by the citizens. -
Provisional Government formed
The Provisional Government was formed to have elections for the people and provide governmental services after the Tsar abdicated. The picture suggests the Russian citizens preferred a government without autocracy, therefore implying a Provisional Government was necessary and important. -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd was when women striked for suffrage and bread, with many other people joining them soon after, It was the start of the Russian Revolution. The picture is important as it shows the intensity of the strike by displaying a huge crowd of people protesting, -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
Trotsky organized the Reg Guards in March of 1917 in order to help support the Soviet’s power in Russia. It consisted mostly of workers and the lower class, like factory workers. This picture depicts a group of Red Guards in uniform. -
April Theses published
Lenin introduced the April Thesis, which was a document with 10 points displayed to the April Conference of Bolsheviks in 1917, to advocate for a socialist revolution and spotlight Bolshevik efforts to not support the provisional government. The picture displays the importance of the April Thesis as it is presented and held up. -
Return of Lenin from exile
Vladamir Lenin returned to Russia, from Switzerland, and wanted to overthrow the Provisional government and replace it with a communist government. The picture shows how Lenin had a lot of support from the people for his plan. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
The Nation Conference of the Soviets organized the first All-Russian Congress of Soviet to meet and affirm the dominance of the provisional government. The photo demonstates the power of the congress through its emblem. -
July Days
From July 16th to July 20th, 1917, the July Days was a political demonstration that led to chaos within Petrograd, Russia. The soldiers, factory workers, and sailors involved aimed to express their opposition to the Provisional Government. This picture depicts this event, as it shows the streets of Petrograd in chaos at the time. -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
The Bolsheviks ultimately overthrew the Provisional Government on August 25th 1917 and gained control over Russia. The were able to take power through the Red Guards who ambushed government buildings. This picture properly depicts this even as it conveys the actions of the Bolsheviks as they took control. -
The Kornilov Affair
The Kornilov Affair, on August 27th, 1917, was a coup attempted by General Lavr Kornilov against the growing soviet in the Provisional Government. Though, this was put to an end when the Bolsheviks sent Red Guards to stop Kornilov’s troops. This picture depicts this event as it portrays Kornilov and his troops. -
Cheka Formed
The Cheka, formed on December 20th, 1917, was a Bolshevik-formed security organization, also called the “secret police”. The main purpose of the Cheka was to supervise opposition groups and arrest those against the government. This contributed to propaganda at the time. This photo was chosen as it properly presents how the Cheka used violence to help the government. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The Constituent’s Assembly met and was disbanded on January 5th, 1918. The dissolvent was vital in Lenin’s goal of forming a complete one-party government. This occurred on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday and 12 people were killed. This photo was chosen because it presents how the Constituents Assembly met and were arranged at the time. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, signed by the Central Powers and Russia on March 3rd, 1918, withdrew Russia from World War I. However, from this, Russia lost most of Ukraine, Polish territories, Baltic territories, and Finland. This picture was chosen because it shows what land areas was lost as a result of the treaty. -
Wartime Communism created
From 1918 to 1921, Wartime Communism was put in place in Russia by the Bolshevik government. Under this, the people did not have an input in the Russian economy, and the government-controlled every aspect. Agriculture was regulated with grain requisitioning and private trade was banned. This photo was chosen because it presents the famine caused because of the severe effects of wartime communism. -
Red Terror
Red Terror, started by the Bolsheviks in September of 1918, was a period of oppression and violence against political opposition. This was carried out by the Cheka, or Bolshevik secret police. This drawing was chosen because it presents the violent impacts of the Red Terror and Lenin's support of it. -
Kolchak begins attacks against Reds from Siberia
Alexander Kolchak begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia after the Reds began to recognize their forces and attack him. As a result, the Red counter-attack began in late April of 1919 at the center of the White line, aiming for Ufa. The fighting was fierce as, unlike earlier, both sides fought hard. I chose this photo because it captures the tension during the time as both sides were fighting to their best ability. -
Kronstadt uprising
The Kronstadt rebellion was a major unsuccessful uprising against the Bolsheviks, consisting of Russian sailors, soldiers, and civilians. It eventually caused Lenin's and the Communist Party's decision to loosen its control of the Russian economy by implementing the New Economic Policy. This visual has been utilized for the Kronstadt uprising because it accurately displays the unhappiness of the farmers and sailors about the living conditions in Russia. -
Poles move toward Kiev
The poles moved toward Kiev, on April 25, 1920, due to the 1920 Kiev Offensive. The poles move toward Kiev through the Kiev Offensive where there were multiple attempts to seize the territories of Kiev. This was established by the Second Polish Republic led by Józef Piłsudski, in alliance with Ukrainian leader Symon Petliura of the Ukrainian People's Republic. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
Several battles and attempts occur for the Soviets attempt to take Warsaw which also is well known through the Battle of Warsaw. This later led to a Polish victory in the Russo-Polish War (1919–20) over control of Ukraine, which resulted in the establishment of the Russo-Polish border. I chose this visual image because it captures the losses through this attempt and the battles that occurred within this defeat. -
Tambov Rebellion
One of the greatest peasant rebellions against the Bolsheviks, from 1920-1921, was sparked due to war communism. It is estimated that around 100,000 people were arrested and around 15,000 killed during the suppression of the uprising. I've chosen this visual because it displays the mass casualties in order to overthrow the rule of the Communist-Bolsheviks who have brought the country to a state of destitution, signifying that desperate times, recall for extreme measures -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
Ukraine became a part of the Soviet Union on December 21, 1922, after the Ukrainian Bolsheviks had defeated the national government in Kyiv. This established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. I chose this visual image because of the representation of Ukraine under the Soviet Union. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
March 21st, 1921, marked the end of wartime communism, enforced by the Supreme Economic Council in Russia, which also marked the beginning of the New Economic Policy. The ending of wartime communism occurred due to its inability to prevent food shortages and famine. I have chosen this visual because it accurately displays the famine caused by wartime communism therefore the reason for it to end. -
Formation of Soviet Union
In 1922, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova joined together to form the Soviet Union (also referred to as the U.S.S.R). The U.S.S.R stands for "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." I chose this photo because it visually represents all the countries that united in order to create the Soivet Union. -
Treaty of Rapallo
An agreement was signed between the German Republic and Soviet Russia in Lapolla, Italy. The treaty was created to end the international diplomatic isolation of the RSFSR. For Russia, it was the first full-fledged treaty as a state, while, Germany was the first one enjoying equal rights after the Treaty of Versailles. I've chosen this photo because it accurately represents the tensions during the conference, as it was the first international conference that the Soviets participated in. -
Lenin Dies
Vladimir Lenin died on January 21 1924 from a massive stroke. This led to Joseph Stalin succeeding as the pre-eminent figure in the Soviet government. I chose this visual image because it captures the eerie atmosphere after Lenin's death due to the various opinions in Russia during the time before and after his death.