Russian Revolution By MarcusM Jan 1, 1861 Background To The Revolution The serfs were freed Jan 1, 1898 Background To The Revolution The Marxists formed the Russian Social Democratic Labor party Jan 1, 1903 Background To The Revolution It split into two groups Jan 1, 1905 The 1905 Revolution Russia's economy slowed, the country waged an unsuccessful war with Japan, and social unrest grew