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Social Tension Mounts Due to the Injustice Created by Oppressive Czars
During this time, oppressive monarchical czars caused vast injustice that deprived the lower class, causing for civil unrest. Revolts against the government began in the 19th Century with the revolt of army officers in 1825, and continuing to its worst point when Czar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881 before being squelched by the succeeding leaders. This was essentially the start of the revolutionary urges which eventually lead to the complete overtaking of authority by communists. -
Alexander III Becomes Czar and Pushes for Russian Autocracy
Rather than try to avoid further conflict with the lower class by appeasing them, when Czar Alexander III comes into power, he establishes even stricter laws which further oppress society. Harsh codes are put into place and the secret police, without the knowledge of the citizens, reports back any negligence of cultural uniformity or censorship codes. These rules, although established to end revolts, actually makes tension build, making the explosion of revolution in the 1900s more brutal. -
Construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway Adds to Tensions
Russian Industrialization, in this case represented in its most tangible form by the creation of the Trans-Siberian Railway, adds to the complaints of the lower class. With lower wages, horrible working conditions, the increase of child labor, and overall discontent, even more tension builds between the lower and upper class. This environment is perfect for harboring the growth of the communist revolutionary movements which eventually lead the overthrow of the czars. -
Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenon Develop the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
Aimed at bringing power to the lower class, or the proletariat, at a time in which most workers were very unhappy with their government, Marx and Lenin discovered the perfect time to promote their unique political views by creating revolutionary movements which promised more freedom than the czar empire allowed for. These movements essentially ended up leading the revolution and their creation was the most important factor in creating a successful overthrow of power. -
Bloody Sunday
Upon thousands of workers storming the czar's winter palace, Nicholas II orders his soldiers to attack, leading to the death or injuring of 1,000 civilians. The social turmoil this massacre causes leads to economic and political strikes across the country, and the czar is forced to compromise by creating the Duma, a form of parliament, although he disassembles it soon after. This event is a vital source of motivation for revolutionaries, and adds to the accumulating tension and grievances. -
Russia Joins WWI, Committing the Final Blow Against Czarist Rule
Nicholas II entered WWI without thorough forethought. This lead to the realization that economically and militarily, Russia could not sustain involvement in a world war, and leading to the killing and imprisonment of millions of faithful citizens. The clear inability of Russia to continue fighting in the war revealed its weakened state, a state which most people credited as a result of poor czarist management, giving them another reason to wish to overthrow the czars. -
March Revolution Marks the Beginning of Formal Revolt
What starts as merely a strike by women textile workers quickly escalates into a violent mob and riot of workers marching through the streets of Petrograd chanting against autocracy. Eventually, the soldiers ordered to stop the revolt join the revolution, and Nicholas II is so outnumbered he abdicates his throne, leading to the creation of a temporary governmental replacement. This event marks the beginning of an era of revolt, overthrowing, and further oppression as new leaders come into power. -
Factory Workers Storm Winter Palace and the Bolsheviks Overthrow the Czar
Factory workers unexpectedly stage a coup against the provisional government being managed in the Winter Palace. The group of revolutionaries lead by Lenin completely overtake them, establishing only members of the Bolshevik Party in positions of leadership in the government, and immediately implementing new systems. This event brings power to the more violent Bolsheviks, thus leading to the oppression which sparks further revolt in years to come and contributing to future revolution history. -
New Economic Policy Developed and Implemented by Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Lenin is desperate to bring Russia out of the economic slump caused by the previous government, and implements the New Economic Policy, whose decrees are rather uncharacteristic of communism. The capitalist policy successfully revitalizes Russia and appeases much of the population. This early integration of capitalism allows for communism to be eased into, making citizens blind to the system's flaws, thus allowing it to become extremely oppressive later on and a cause for future revolt. -
Joseph Stalin Gains Complete Command Over Russia
Joseph Stalin exists as an influential leader from the early 1920s onward, and after shady business with the exile of Trotsky and the death of Lenin, establishes himself in complete autocracy over Russia. His manipulative tendencies are not yet known, and his stepping up as a leader is seen as a positive move forward. This event, however, sets Russia up for years of oppression, millions of deaths due to starvation and prison camps, and the eventual need for further revolt.
