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Tsar Nicholas II's coronation
- Khodynka Tragedy
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Russo-Japanese War
- Tense war between Russia and Japan after crises in Asia.
- Russia's military identity/pride destroyed after humiliating defeat
- Triggered social unrest after exposing government's incompetence
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General strikes
- Paralysed economy
- Forced Tsar to respond
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Bloody Sunday Massacre
- Peaceful march, consisting of workers and led by Father Gapon, to present a respectful petition.
- Resulted in massacre that killed approx. 200 people
- Loss of faith in Nicholas' goodness ("Bloody Nicholas")
- Created a deep divide between the Tsar and the people, one which was never bridged
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1905 Revolution
- Series of rebellious events, from mutinies to strikes
- Most significant was Trotsky's establishment of soviets **End date should just be October
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October Manifesto
- Direct result of general strikes
- Nicholas established the Duma to satisfy popular demand
- Promised to give people representation (Nicholas agreed to share a portion of his absolute power)
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Fundamental State Laws
- Issued by Nicholas four days before opening of first Duma.
- Reassertion of absolute authority rendered Duma useless
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Prime Minister Stolypin
- Implemented reforms to limit influence of Dumas, strengthen economy and eliminate revolutionary opposition.
- Reforms restored a degree of faith in Tsarism,
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First Duma
- Was supposed to serve 5-year term
- Dismissed after only months for its radical demands
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Second Duma
- Like the First Duma before it, it was dismissed quickly for its similarly radical demands.
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Change in electoral laws
- Electoral system illegally changed to ensure that those elected to next Duma wherefore conservative
- Demonstrated Nicholas' autocratic power
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Third Duma
- Served full five year term
- No official influence over government decisions
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Lena Goldfields Massacre
- Goldminers were massacred for striking for better working conditions.
- Reignited revolutionary sentiment
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Russia enters WWI
- Initial victories, but followed by repeated defeated due to poor military training and supplies.
- Lowered morale of both war and home fronts.
- Devastated home economy through increased unemployment, inflation and food/fuel shortages.
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Nicholas takes personal command of army
- Nicholas had no previous military experience.
- He now personally shouldered the blame for Russia's continued losses.
- Left the inexperienced Tsarina Alexandra in control of government - Rasputin had significant influence 1915-6 (contributed to loss of faith in royal government and his assassination).
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February Revolution
- Spontaneous, leaderless revolution 'from below'
- Resulted in formation of Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet
- Forced Nicholas' abdication
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Soviet Order No. 1
- Issued by Petrograd Soviet
- Military orders were only to be obeyed if issued by the Soviet (weakened PG's power).
- Affirmed that PS had the real authority and control of Petrograd.
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Nicholas' abdication
- Ended 300-year reign of Romanov Dynasty and hence tsarism.
- PG given power, thus there was hope for an immediate solution to the crises of the old regime.
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Lenin's return and speech at Finland Station
- Immediately transformed political debate.
- Called for overthrow of PG and "Peace! Land! Bread!"
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June Offensive
- Kerensky orders Russian armies to take the offensive in an attack on the Austrians and Germans.
- War morale is dealt final blow as Kerensky's offensive fails.
- Fuels Lenin's arguments for withdrawing from the imperialist war.
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July Days
- Semi-insurrection followed by attempted stamping out of Bolshevism in Petrograd when Kerensky recalled soldiers from front in order to stop said demonstrations.
- Failed revolt seemingly signalled end of Bolshevik leadership/party and Kerensky/PG's victory.
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Kornilov Revolt
- Miscommunication between Prime Minister Kerensky and General Kornilov.
- Kornilov moved armed forces to Petrograd to both restore order and protect city from German attacks (believing these were Kerensky's orders)
- Kerensky thought Kornilov was coming to Petrograd to carry out a military coup d'état and establish a military dictatorship
- Exposed PG weakness and lack of military support.
- Trotsky formed Red Guard to defend Petrograd from Kornilov's perceived advance on Petrograd.
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Trotsky becomes Chairman of Petrograd Soviet
- Symbolised Bolsheviks' majority support in the Soviet for the first time.
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October Revolution
- Bolsheviks storm Winter Palace, arrest PG officials and force Kerensky to escape in disguise.
- PG is overthrown, Bolsheviks seize power.