Russian Revolution

  • Vladimir Lenin's brother, Alexander Ulyanov, hanged for plotting to kill Czar Alexander III.

  • Alexander III dies from illness, and his son, Nicholas II becomes the ruler of Russia.

  • Vladimir Lenin is arrested, kept in solitary confinement for a year, then exiled to Siberia for three years.

  • Nicholas II declared czar of Russia

  • Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party meets and splits into two factions: Mensheviks and Bolsheviks

  • Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg begins 1905 Russian Revolution

  • The October Manifesto, issued by Czar Nicholas II, brings an end to the 1905 Russian Revolution by promising civil liberties and an elected parliament

  • the Fundamental Laws of 1906 is created, reflecting the promises made in the October Manifesto.

  • World War I Begins

  • Czar Nicholas II assumes supreme command of the Russian Army

  • Rasputin is murdered

  • February Revolution starts, demonstrations and strikes in Petrograd.

  • Czar Nicholas II abdicates and includes his son. The following day, Nicholas' brother, Mikhail announced his refusal to accept the throne. Provisional Government formed

  • Lenin returns from exile and arrives in Petrograd

  • The July Days begin in Petrograd and there are spontaneous protests against the Provisional Government. After the Bolsheviks fail to avert these protests, Lenin is forced into hiding.

  • The October Revolution: Bolsheviks capture Petrograd

  • The Winter Palace, the last holdout of the Provisional Government, is captured by the Bolskeviks. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, are now in control of Russia.

  • Treaty of Brest-Litopvsk is signed between Germany and Russia, takes Russia out of World War I.

  • Bolshevik Party changes named to the Communist Party

  • The capital of Russia is changed from St. Petersburg to Moscow

  • Russian civil war begins

  • Czar Nicholas II and his family are executed

  • Assassination attempt on Lenin leaves him seriously wounded

  • Russia ends civil war

  • Stalin is appointed as General Secretary

  • The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established