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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
The Revolution of 1905 was an uprising of the people due to poor living/working conditions. It started with Bloody Sunday which resulted in the deaths of about 200 people. It convinced Tsar Nicholas II to attempt the transformation of the Russian government from an autocracy into a constitutional monarchy. Rationale: I chose this photo because it is of the events of Bloody Sunday. -
Beginning of WWI
Russia joined the war because their ally Serbia was attacked by Austria Hungary. Russia’s military had soldiers who were poorly equipped, many lacked rifles, and its generals and officers were bad at their jobs.
Rationale: The Russian soldiers were captured during the Battle of Tannenberg. The battle was against Germany -
Czar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations
Tsar Nicholas II left St Petersburg and moved to the army headquarters in Russian Poland to lift morale.
Rationale: Tsar Nicholas II is being seen being in control of battle plans -
Return of Lenin from exile
Vladimir Lenin was in exile for 10 years. Lenin returned to take over Russia during the revolution.
Rationale: Lenin is portrayed as preaching to the crowd about his leadership over Russia -
Brusilov Offensive
Went to Sept. 20, 1916. Considered to be greatest feat of arms during World War I. Russian offensive was against the central powers on the eastern front to divert the forces from the western front.
Rationale: This is the map of the Brusilov Offensive plans. -
Assassination of Rasputin
Yussupov and Pavlovich lured Rasputin to Moika Palace in St. Petersburg. He was attempted to be killed by poison, by being shot, and by being beaten, but died by drowning.
Rationale: This is a photo of Rasputin. -
Provisional Government formed
The provisional government was formed when the Tsar leadership government dissolved after food shortages and issues with unemployment were brought up during the protests in Petrograd.
Rationale: This is a photo of all involved in the creation of the provisional government -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
There were a plethora off protestors, bloody street battles with police, and mutiny of soldiers tasked with quelling the protests. So Mikhail Rodzianko (the state duma chairman) pleaded with Tsar Nicholas II to undertake reforms -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Tsar Nicholas was forced to abdicate the throne by the people from Petrograd as the protests were asking for reform and a new provisional style government was to be used instead
Rationale: This is allegedly the last photo of Nicholas II while he isn't Tsar anymore -
April Theses published
It was a series of ten directives issued by Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin upon his return to Petrograd from his exile. The theses were mostly aimed at fellow Bolsheviks in Russia and returning to Russia from exile.
Rationale; Depicts Vladimir Lenin the author of the April thesis as having influence over the Russian population -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers 'and Soldiers' Deputies was convened by the National Conference of the Soviets. It was dominated by pro-government parties and confirmed the supremacy of the Russian Provisional Government.
Rationale: An image of the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets -
July Days
to July 20, Was a period of violent rioting in Petrograd against the Provisional government.
Rationale: A photo of a Petrograd street during the July days -
Kornilov Affair
8/30/1917, It was an attempted military coup d'état by the commander-in-chief of the Russian Army, General Lavr Kornilov.
Rationale: Image of General Lavr Kornilov. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
The Red Guard was meant to defend against Kornilov Kerensky. And was organized by Trotsky.
Rationale: Image of a troop apart of the Red Guard -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
October Revolution, took place through an armed insurrection in Petrograd where the Bolsheviks overthrow the Provision Government and take control.
Rationale: Bolsheviks are portrayed to be in the process of vocalizing and taking control of the government -
Cheka Formed
Although the concept of the Cheka began in October, the official establishment was in December. Essentially, the Cheka was a Bolshevik security organization--which would be typically seen as undercover/secret cops today. Their goals were to identify enemies and/or counter-revolutionaries, eventually eliminating or removing them. The image selected to represent this agency is suitable due to the Cheka using aggressive approaches against enemies, usually operating outside of standard rules. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The Constituent Assembly (C.A.) was an elected body consisting of popular individuals intended to create a Russian Constitution and develop a secure government (occurred in Petrograd). The arrangement took 13 hours (around 4:00 pm 1/18/1918 - around 5:00 pm 1/19/1918). They were disbanded by the Bolsheviks walking out due to their demands being unheard (and under Lenin's Red Guards' request). The image selected represents Lenin's campaigning during elections in preparation for the C.A. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Concluded Russia's efforts in WWI. The peace treaty/agreement was formed separately by the Bolshevik Government on one side and then Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria on the other. Purpose for the Russians to surrender territories (Balkan, Polish, Ukrainian, and Finland). Russia would suffer from not only territory loss but from an expected financial payment as well. The picture demonstrates the peace conference at a German-controlled location, Brest-Litovsk. -
Wartime Communism Created
Adopted by Bolsheviks. War Communism was the "communism-based" social and economic system that Vladimir Lenin introduced. Essentially, it was to recover the economy damaged from the war and to also aid the Red Army. Workers decreased while industries were nationalized, states gained more control over their citizens and trade policies, there was no private trade, but now weak labor and hunger succumbed from this, etc. The picture demonstrates the rationing of fuel, a system that replaced money. -
Red Terror
Red Terror was created to challenge the White Terror, known to represent a political campaign. It was run by the Bolsheviks, while the Cheka and communist-affiliated citizens played a large role in the participation. Goals of executions and targetted arrests, serving the purpose of eliminating counter-revolutionaries. The picture represents a poster held in Petrograd, wishing death to the Bourgeoisie and anyone who follows it--as well as announcing for the Red Terror to live long. -
Kolchak begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
1918-1920. Kolchak established an anti-communist government in Siberia to counter the concept of War Communism. This was known as the Directory and was more politically directed than militarily. However, military-wise, he led the white army to perform the Triple/Spring Offensive beginning in March to April 1919 (attacks against the Reds). The image chosen represents the white army that Kolchak led and depended on for his anti-communist attacks. -
Poles move towards Kiev
The Kiev Offensive/Expedition consisted of Polish and Ukrainian forces. On April 25, leader Józef Piłsudski invaded Ukraine in order to seize Soviet control and recapture territories. The picture represents Józef Piłsudski, leader of the Second Polish Republic regarding the military -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw / Miracle at the Vistula (August 12-25, 1920). This was a Polish-Soviet War. The Red Army had successful attacks originally, but the Polish came back with miracle victories leading up to the Treaty of Riga (1921). This helped secure Polish borders and independence. The image represents the Soviet Commander in charge of the Bolshevik/Soviet military. -
Tambov Rebellion
The Tambov Rebellion (Antonovschina ("Antonov's mutiny")) was a peasant-organized rebellion against the Bolshevik government in response to the famine caused by the Red Terror. This was led by Alexander Antonov and began with refusing to give up grain. It was a battle of citizens (mainly peasants) versus the Cheka, Red Army, and Soviet Authorities until chemical warfare was used in response. The picture represents a geographical spread of where this occurred. -
Kronstadt uprising
Russian sailors and civilians rise up in rebellion against the Bolshevik government. This occurred in the Russian SFSR port city (Kronstadt). The rebels were upset with the social and economic conditions brought by War Communism. This is significant as it drove for Lenin to implement a better policy for his people (N.E.P.). The image represents the Red Army attacking Kronstadt. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
The Kronstadt Rebellion, in addition to the famine, was the final push for Lenin to reevaluate his policies. He then decided to replace it with the New Economic Policy (N.E.P.) in hopes of restoring Russia. The picture (a painting by Ivan Vladimirov) represents one of the many effects of War Communism, famine, causing Lenin to reinstitute a new beginning. -
Treaty of Rapallo
This treaty was an agreement signed by Russia and the Germans in order to establish civil, diplomatic relations. This supported the concept of renouncing financial and geographical claims with one another. Additionally, violating the Treaty of Versailles, there was an underground military collaboration. The image represents a newspaper clip of the big announcement, stating partial guidelines and context. -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
Ukraine was brought under Soviet control as they could not withstand the Soviet attack from Russia, although they even attempted to ally themselves with Poland briefly beforehand. They had lost their independence and were now proclaimed under the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.). The image represents the flag of the U.S.S.R. -
Formation of Soviet Union
Heavily influenced by the Russian Revolution as a whole, the four originally independent Soviet Republics (Russia, Ukraine, Transcaucasian, and Byelorussian) united, establishing the U.S.S.R.
The image represents the pieces of land in the U.S.S.R. -
Lenin dies
Vladimir Lenin's recorded cause of death was due to an underlying disease with his blood vessels. He fell into a coma and underwent a brain hemorrhage before passing. The picture illustrates his embalmed body after his death.