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Revolution
A wave of strikes, protests, and mutinies spread across Russia. The Tsar was forced to create the Duma (parliament) and issue the October Manifesto promising civil liberties, but reforms failed to satisfy demands for change. -
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. -
Russo-Japanese war ends
Russia’s defeat in the war undermined confidence in the Tsarist government and worsened social unrest contributing to the 1905 Revolution. -
Bloody Sunday
Peaceful demonstrators led by Father Gapon marched to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II in St Petersburg but were fired upon by soldiers, killing hundreds. This event sparked widespread unrest and shattered the image of the Tsar as a benevolent ruler. -
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. -
The Fundamental Laws
Tsar Nicholas II issued the Fundamental Laws, reaffirming his autocratic power despite the creation of the Duma, disappointing reformers and limiting the parliament’s power. -
First Duma elections
The first Duma met and demanded reforms but was dissolved by the Tsar after 10 weeks due to conflict with autocracy. -
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Stolypin's Reforms
Prime Minister Stolypin introduced land reforms aimed at creating a class of conservative peasants but also used repression to quell unrest. -
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Second Duma
The second Duma was more radical and confrontational; it was dissolved after a few months. The Tsar altered the voting laws to reduce the influence of revolutionaries. -
Assassination of Stolypin
Stolypin was assassinated, weakening reform efforts under the Tsarist regime. -
Start of WW1
Russia entered WWI on the side of the Allies. The war caused heavy casualties and economic hardship, exacerbating discontent with the Tsarist regime. -
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. -
Tsar takes command of army
The Tsar assumed direct command of the army, linking himself personally to military failures. -
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Rasputin's influence grows
Rasputin, a mystic, gained influence over the royal family, undermining the credibility of the monarchy. -
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Food shortages and strikes
War-related food shortages caused widespread strikes and unrest in cities, especially Petrograd. -
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. -
Formation on PS
Workers’ and soldiers’ councils (Soviets) formed, creating a dual power situation with the Provisional Government. -
Peace Land Bread
Bolsheviks issued decrees promising an end to WWI and redistribution of land to peasants, gaining popular support. -
Formation of PG
The Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky and others, took power but failed to withdraw from WWI or address key social issues. -
Kerensky offensive
A failed military offensive by the Provisional Government that further weakened its position. -
Kornilov Affair
General Kornilov attempted a coup against the Provisional Government, which failed but weakened the government further and increased Bolshevik support. -
February Revolution
Strikes and protests in Petrograd led to the collapse of the Tsarist regime. Nicholas II abdicated, ending centuries of Romanov rule. A provisional government was established. -
July Days
Workers and soldiers protested demanding power for the Soviets. The uprising failed, and Lenin fled to Finland temporarily. -
October Revolution
The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized control in Petrograd, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing Soviet power. -
April Thesis
Lenin returned from exile and published the April Theses, calling for “All power to the Soviets” and opposing the Provisional Government. -
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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. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russia signed a peace treaty with Germany, ending its involvement in WWI but losing significant territory. -
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. -
Start of Civil War
Civil war broke out between Bolshevik Red Army and White Army forces, along with foreign interventions and other factions. -
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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. -
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Red Terror
The Bolshevik government used the Cheka secret police to eliminate opposition during the civil war, including executions and imprisonments. -
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War Communism
Policy of strict state control over the economy and requisition of grain from peasants to support the war effort. -
Kronstadt Rebellion
Sailors and workers rebelled against Bolshevik rule demanding reforms; the rebellion was violently suppressed. -
Introduction of NEP
Lenin introduced the NEP to allow limited private trade and small-scale capitalism to revive the economy after war communism. -
Death of Lenin
Lenin died, triggering a power struggle within the Communist Party. -
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Propaganda
Stalin promoted a cult of personality, portraying himself as the infallible leader through posters, art, media, and education to gain popular support and suppress dissent. -
Trotsky Expelled from communist party
Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party due to his opposition to Stalin’s policies, weakening Stalin’s main rival. -
First Five Year Plan
Aimed at rapid industrialization, the plan focused on heavy industry and collectivization of agriculture. -
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Collectivisation
Forced consolidation of individual peasant farms into large collective farms, causing widespread resistance and famine. -
Stalin secures power
After Lenin’s death in 1924, Stalin gradually outmaneuvered rivals such as Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev by building support in the party, controlling key positions, and promoting “Socialism in One Country.” He used political alliances, propaganda, and purges to remove opponents. By 1929, Stalin had become the undisputed leader of the USSR. -
Trotsky Exiled
Trotsky was forced to leave the Soviet Union, removing a major threat to Stalin’s leadership. -
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Kulak resistance
Wealthier peasants (kulaks) resisted forced collectivization. Stalin responded with dekulakization—arrests, deportations, and executions—targeting kulaks to break peasant opposition. -
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Famine in Ukraine
A devastating famine caused by collectivization policies, resulting in millions of deaths. -
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NKVD
The NKVD (secret police) carried out mass arrests, imprisonments, torture, and executions under Stalin’s orders, enforcing the Great Purge and consolidating his control. -
Soviet Consitution
Also called the “Stalin Constitution,” it promised rights and freedoms but was ignored during Stalin’s repressive regime. -
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The Great Purge
Mass arrests, show trials, executions, and imprisonments of party members, military officers, and civilians accused of disloyalty. -
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Moscow show trials
Public trials of former Bolsheviks and party members accused of treason and sabotage, used by Stalin to eliminate political enemies during the Great Purge. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR that allowed for the division of Eastern Europe. -
German invasion of USSR
Nazi Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, beginning the Eastern Front of WWII. -
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Siege of Leningrad
A prolonged and deadly siege by German forces, causing immense civilian suffering. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
A decisive Soviet victory marking a turning point in WWII on the Eastern Front. -
End of WWII in Europe
Soviet forces captured Berlin, leading to Nazi Germany’s surrender and the end of the war in Europe. -
Start of Cold War
Tensions rose between the Soviet Union and Western powers over post-war Europe, leading to decades of geopolitical rivalry. -
Death of Stalin
Stalin died, ending his harsh rule and leading to a period of de-Stalinization under Khrushchev.