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Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels write The Communist Manifesto, which describes how the system of capitalism will eventually lead to a revolution by the workers over the wealthy. -
Reign of Nicholas II
Czar Nicholas II begins reign as last emperor of Russia. Despite early statements about giving people more freedom and rights, he is a totalitarian ruler, living extravagantly while the poor starved. -
Bloody Sunday
A peaceful march to the Czar's palace to seek help for the starving poor, the military opens fire on the unarmed civilians, killing and wounding hundreds. -
October Revolution
Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky are the main leaders as the revolution begun in February 1917 with the capture of the Czar is completed, In October, the Bolsheviks (Communists) seized control of the government from a weak collection of former Parliamentarians and revolutionaries. -
Death of Lenin
After years of poor health, Vladimir Lenin dies. Josef Stalin, who had been the elected leader of the Soviet Union since 1922, assumes total control of the Soviet Union. -
Stalin takes charge
Josef Stalin consolidates his powerby:
Eliminating anybody who disagrees with him through several purges, killing millions; industrializes the Soviet Union; uses secret police (KGB) and propaganda (Pravca) to keep total power. -
Josef Stalin dies