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Communist Manifesto: Publishing Date
The 'Communist Manifesto' was a pamphlet published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which outlined the basic elements of Communism, or Marxism - a political ideaology holding that the wealth of a country should be owned equally by all of its people. A communist society would have no governments, countries or class divisions. The Communist Manifesto was published 69 years before the Russian Revolution. -
Communist Manifesto: Death of Karl Marx
Marx developed a catarrh that kept him in ill health for the last 15 months of his life. He died in London, on this date, and was buried three days later on the 17th, where between nine and eleven mourners attended the funeral. Marx's tombstone bears the final line of the Communist Manifesto, 'WORKERS OF ALL LANDS UNITE'. -
Russian Revolution: Beginning of Riots
Russia had begun to suffer from numerous economic and social problems, as a result of World War I. Their war causalities had reached the millions and supplies begun to run dangerously low. Soon, bread rioters and industrial workers of roughly 100,000 joined together on the streets to demand food and workers' rights. The idea of communism began to take on. The working class, feeling neglected by the Tsar, formed a group called the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin. Lenin promised, 'Peace, Land, Bread!' -
Russian Revolution: The Tsar's Abdication and Abduction
Before his abdication, the Tsar's forces, the Duma, could not control the dangerously growing crowds of rioters. His orders to the soldiers to fire on the crowd, killing more than 50 people, only increased the anger of the crowd. Soon, the loyalty the Tsar had from the Duma diminished. On the 15th, the Tsar found himself powerless and was forced to abdicate his throne. On this date, the Tsar and his family were then captured by the Bolsheviks and held under house arrest. -
The End of World War One: Russia's Withdrawal From the War
After leading the October Revolution, which saw the Bolsheviks in charge, Lenin quickly begun to change Russia's situation. Lenin couldn't afford to keep the troops fighting the war while he was strenghtening his own power in Russia, and soon he made a 'Decree on Peace', suggesting Russia's withdrawal from the war. This would also benefit Germany, since they would then be able to focus their efforts on the Western Front. So in 1918 Russia signed a treaty with the Germany and left the war. -
Russian Revolution: Imperial Family's Excecution
The Imperial family was kept near St. Petersburg. As the civil war developed, the family was sent to Siberia and then the Urals. The Romanovs were giving Lenin a major problem. To many, Nicholas was still the ruler of Russia, and he had many loyal followers who were fighting to restore his throne. Lenin was concerned that if Nicholas escaped, his followers would have someone to lead them - against Lenin. It was then decided to excecute the family, done in the basement of the Impatiev House. -
The End of World War One: Armistice Day
On this date, at 11am, the fighting stopped and an armistice was signed, signalling the end of World War I. The aftermath of the war resulted in millions of acres of once-fertile farmland being destroyed, and having the loss of life at heights never seen before. Following the end of the war, the Allie leaders gathered in Versaillies, Paris, to discuss the treaty between the Allies and Germany. The main spokespeople of this treaty were the leaders of the United States, Britain and France. -
The Treaty of Versailles: Signing Date
It was on this day that the Treaty of Versailles, between the Allies and Germany, was signed. Severe penalties were layed upon Germany. The terms included having no air force, reducing their armed forces to 100,000 soldiers and losing a large amount of land. Germany also had to admit full responsibility for starting the war, resulting in them having to
pay reparations for the wars damage. This amount, though, was unrealisitically high. Germany's allies suffered as well, but not nearly as bad. -
The Roaring Twenties: New Life
For the U.S, the 1920's were a time wealth and technological advancement. After the end of the war, America broke out into one big party, where people drunk, smoked and danced. New technologies were created, including automobiles, radio and sound films and at the same time, jazz music raged in popularity. Alcohol was also banned nationally, but the numerous speakeasies made it possible to continue drinking. A speakeasy was an illegal establishment where alcohol and entertainement were offered. -
The Roaring Twenties: Flappers
Flappers represented the redefined modern womenhood. When the war ended, the women found it hard to return back to normalicy, after being forced into the workforce when the men went to war. They wanted more freedom and for the first time, in 1920, women were given the right to vote. Flappers traditionally had bobbed hair, a shapeless, revealing dress, beads, and a headband or hat. They smoked and drank alongside men in public, and also danced the 'Charleston' to the popular jazz tunes. -
Treaty of Versailles: Final Payment
On this date, the final payment for the World War I reparations was made by Germany, 92 years after the war. The initial sum agreed in 1919 for the war damage was 226 billions Reichsmark, which was later reduced to 132 billion.
