russian 1905-1939

the economy recovered

1928 BCE

By 1928 the economy recovered to the level of 1914.

a new constitution established the USSR

1924 BCE

In 1924 a new constitution established the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Each republic had a government but they all had to be communist, and the system was run centrally by the Politburo (senior council)

The Bolsheviks finally won

1921 BCE

The Bolsheviks finally won the Civil War in 1921.

Lenin introduced a New Economic Policy

1921 BCE

In 1921 Lenin introduced a New Economic Policy to restore order and increase prosperity after the chaos of Revolution, Civil War, and War Communism. • Peasants could sell surplus food produce and pay tax on profits. • It allowed small non-state-owned businesses (such as shops …) and they couldmake a profit. • Vital industries (coal, iron, railways …) stayed in state hands.

Trosky created one of the best armies

1918 BCE

In 1918 Russia was divided into two factions:
White Russians:. The counterrevolutionary elements. the Red Army At the beginning of the civil war Lenin asked Leon Trotsky, to create a new army from the Red Guards, an army of workers. Trosky created one of the best armies in history through discipline, organization and ideology. Futhermore, war communism was introduced. This meant the nationalization of industry, the collectivization of lands’ and requisition of all rural production.

Leon Trotsky set up the Red Guards

1917 BCE

Leon Trotsky set up the Red Guards, a Bolshevik military force. On the 23rd of October (1917) a revolution took place. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, attacked the winter Palace in St. Petersburg and seized power. Bolsheviks moved the capital to Moscow and made peace with Central Empires: Treaty of Brest–Litovsk

Russia suffered

1917 BCE

More than 1.5 million soldiers had died by the end of 1917. Inflation greatly increased prices and there were hunger and food shortages.

The party split

1917 BCE

The party split into Bolsheviks (the majority) who wanted a small party and were led by Lenin; and Mensheviks (the minority) led by Martov, who wanted a mass party.

Lenin wrote a document called the April Thesis

1917 BCE

Meanwhile the Provisional Government kept Russia in the war, Lenin wrote a document called the April Thesis, promising “peace, bread, land and freedom”. He wanted: the end of the capitalist war. power for the soviets: elected committees of workers, peasants and soldiers. A revolution against the Provisional Government as soon as possible (he adapted Marx´s ideas to the Russian context, this was called marxismleninism)

Tsar took control of the army

1916 BCE

After a series of defeats, in 1916 the Tsar himself took control of the army.

Union of russia

1914 BCE

In 1914 the Russian Empire joined World War I

Creation of the Duma parliament

1906 BCE

The Tsar created a parliament called the Duma with the promise of a more democratic government, but this did not happen.

Russia´s defeat

1905 BCE

In 1905 Russia´s defeat in a war with Japan provoked rebellion.