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Russo-Japanese War
Imperialist Russia and Japan came into conflict over regions in the east mainly Korea and Manchuria. The Japanese decided to go to war over the land and much to everyone's suprise they defeated the Russians soundly on both land and sea. -
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Revolution of 1905
Russian people fed up with the Tsar, especially upset after the humiliating Russo-Japanese War , went on strike and rioted. This finally caused Nicholas II to reform. The reforms however were limited and it only appeased the people for a short time. -
Bloody Sunday
A peaceful crowd of protesters organized by a Russian priest, Father Gapon, andvanced on the winter palace to petition the Tsar for reform. They were met by the Russian military and fired upon. Hundreds of unarmed men, women, and children were killed or wounded. The incedent caused more distrust and anger at the government and the Tsar. -
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Grigory Rasputin Influences Alexandria
By 1913 Grigory Rasputin had firmly established himself with the Romanovs. He was able to help their hemophilic son and was in a strong position despite constant debauchery. In 1915 when the Tsar went to the front he heavily influenced Alexandria. He was killed Dcember 31, 1916 by officials wanting to save the Romanov's reputation. Rasputin caused the Russian people to dislike the Romanovs even more and made thing much worse for them. -
Russia enters world war one
Germany declares war on Russia after Russia mobilized its army the day before. Russia is poorly equipped and trained because of its unwillingness to reform. This causes many Russian soldiers to die at the hands of the well trained and well equipped Germans.The war brings famine and unrest to Russia and helps cause the revolutions. -
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February Revolution
Sick of the War and famines the people of Russia revolted again. This time however they were able to force the Tsar to abdictate. A provisional government was set up but it failed to meet the peoples demands. This would lead to the October/November revolution and the civil war. -
Nicholas II abdicates
After the February revolution with pressure from all sides the Tsar finnally gave up. He abdicated his throne and left it to his brother and went into exile with his family. The people had finally gotten their wish. -
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Russian Civil War
The Reds (Bolsheviks/Communists) fought with the Whites (tsarists, capitolists, non-russian nationalities) for controll of Russia. The Reds controlled central Russia and were able to fight united against the scattered and unorganized Whites. The Allies tried to support the Whites to no avail and actually pushed more of the Russian people in favor of the Reds. In the end the Reds would win and create the USSR. -
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November Revolution
In the November Revolution , the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin overthrew the Provisional Government. This sparked a civil war and also led to the end of Russian involvement in World War I. -
Russia leaves World War I
With defeat after defeat and a civil war at home the Russian military was falling apart. Units were mutinying left and right. Finally the Bolsheviks signed a treaty with Germany. It gave a large amount of land to Germany but officially ended Russia's involvement in World War I. -
Death of the Romanov family
With a civil war in full swing the Bolsheviks wouldn't risk the Tsarists recapturing Nicholas and putting him back on the throne. The family was taken to the basement of the house they were beign kept in and executed. -
Formation of the USSR
Uniting most of the old Russian Empire the new communist government was now dubed the USSR, Union of Socialist Soviet Republics. This included many nationalities and in theory each was to be equal. The people were also supposed to have some control and some voice. However the communist party just ended up running everything and using secret police and the military to enforce their will much as the Tsars had. -
Lenin's Death and the Following Power Struggle
Lenin died at age 54. He left the communists without a leader. The two most likely replacements were Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky was brilliant and well spoken, but Stalin was an excellent political maneuverer. Stalin wons out and eventually became one of the most tyrannical dictators in history.
