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The 1905 Revolution
Bloody Sunday (January) saw peaceful protesters shot by the Tsar's troops, sparking nationwide strikes and uprisings. Tsar Nicholas II reluctantly issued the October Manifesto, granting limited civil liberties and creating the Duma. This revealed the weakness of autocracy; Nicholas's refusal to share real power sowed lasting resentment among workers and peasants. -
Stolypin's land reforms
Prime Minister Stolypin introduced reforms to break up village communes and allow peasants to own private land, hoping to create a class of loyal, prosperous farmers. Some farmers benefited, but many remained poor; reforms failed to fully modernise agriculture or end rural poverty. -
Russia enters WW1
Russia entered WW1, hoping to defend Serbia and assert its status as a Great Power. Initial patriotism faded quickly as the Russian army suffered defeats, high casualties, and equipment shortages. Tsar Nicholas the II took personal command of the army in 1915, leaving the unpopular Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin in charge of the government. This directly tied the Tsar to military failures and deepened the sense of national crisis. -
Rasputin Gains Influence
Rasputin gained increasing influence over the Tsarina due to his supposed healing powers over her haemophiliac son, Alexi. His influence at court and involvement in government appointments made him a symbol of corruption and incompetence. He weakened public confidence in the monarchy, contributing to the perception of a collapsing regime. -
Growing opposition to the Tsar
Food shortages, striked, and mutinies spread across cities and the countryside. Nicholas II was blamed for the hardships caused by the was and the economy, as he had left the government in the hands of the unpopular Tsarina and Rasputin. Popular discontent reached a tipping point, setting the stage for revolution. -
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The Provisional Government
A temporary government led by liberals and moderate socialist that continued fighting in WW1 and failed to address key problems like land reform and food shortages. Meanwhile, the Petrograd soviet grew in influence, undermining government authority. It lost popular support, paving the way for the Bolsheviks. -
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February revolution
Mass protests in Petrograd began over bread shortages and quickly turned political. Soldiers refused to fire on demonstrators, joining them instead. -
Tsar Abdicates
Nicholas II abdicated in response to the February Revolution on a train on the way to Petrograd. He tried to get his brother to take over, but he refused. This ended to 300-year-old Romanov dynasty and forced the creation of the Provisional government. -
The Bolshevik/ October Revolution
Led by Trotsky, Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized power in Petrograd, promising 'Peace, Land, Bread'. They used the Red Guards and the Kronstadt Sailors to capture key buildings and the winter palace. Overthrew the provisional government and established a Bolshevik dictatorship in spite of Kerensky. -
Consolidation of Power
The Bolsheviks closed the constituent assembly after losing elections, nationalised industry and banks, and redistributed land to peasants. They created the Cheka to suppress opposition. this established a one party state and laid the foundations of communist rule. -
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Russian Civil War
A conflict between the Red and White armies. the Bolsheviks won due to their strong leadership, centralised control, effective propaganda, terror. Also due to white weaknesses (internal conflict, poor leadership, lack of co-ordination). The Bolsheviks' victory ensured the survival of their regime but left Russia devastated.