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Nicholas II becomes Tsar
Becomes Tsar after his father (Alexander II) died unexpectedly. He was not prepared and did not possess the characteristics to be an autocratic leader. -
Russian Social Democratic Labour Party founded
(The party that would split in 1903 to form the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.) Based on Marxism and was opposed to revolutionary populism -
Russo - Japanese War begins
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End of the 1905 revolution
Tsar regains strength and rounds up revolutionaries. Armed uprisings crushed and troops suppress rioters. Revolution has failed and the tsar has survived -
Bloody Sunday (1905 Revolution Begins)
Father Gapon led a peaceful protest of workers on strike to the Winter Palace. As they approached the Palace they were shot at by police. About 200 killed and 800 wounded
(Date based on Russian calendar) -
Potemkin mutiny
Navy sailors mutiny and kill their officers, proceed to fly a red flag.
Showed that support of the armed forces for the regime may not be guaranteed -
Russo - Japanese War ends
Ended by a peace treaty signed between the two. Russia is utterly humiliated by their loss to an Asian power. -
Moscow Strikes
Huge general strike takes place in Moscow, spreading to other cities. All opposition to the tsar were united in demanding change -
St Petersburg Soviet of Workers' Deputies is formed
First Soviet formed within Russia, posed a great threat to the tsar's government -
October Manifesto issued
Tsar gave into the demands of the people. Promised:
- A parliament (duma) which was to be elected by the people
- Civil rights
-Removal of censorship
- Ability to form political parties -
Sergei Witte appointed as chairman of the Council of Ministers
Had previously helped Tsar to draft the October Manifesto. This position was like a Prime Minister -
Fundamental Laws passed
Reaffirmed that the Tsar had full autocratic control over Russia. Showed that the revolution changed very little. Gave Nicholas supreme power over the newly formed Duma, even before it had first met. -
First Duma opened
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First Duma dissolved
Dissolved by the Tsar who feared the emerging radical left wing parties. -
Pyotr Stolypin appointed Prime Minister
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Stolypin declares 'State of emergency'
Gave judges the power to try a person and carry out the sentence immediately. Saw thousands arrested and many hung, nickname "Stolypin's necktie" -
Second Duma Opened
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Second Duma Dissolved
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Third Duma Opened
Dominated by gentry, landowners and businessmen. Lost much of the radical elements and was replaced by consevatives. -
Third Duma Dissolved
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Fourth Duma Opens
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World War 1 Starts
Nicholas left Moscow to get more directly involved in the war. This left Alexandra under the control/influence of Rasputin, which altered the government significantly -
Fourth Duma Dissolved
The Duma was disbanded by the Provisional government in connection with the preparation of the elections to the Russian Constituent Assembly.