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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
The Revolution of 1905 was a short-lived revolution where the Tsar lost control of large areas of Russia. The October Manifesto was written by Sergei Witte 8 months after the revolution started where it promised significant political reform. -
Beginning of WWI
WWI began on July 28, 1914, where Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia. WWI would however bring terrible suffering for Russian soldiers and civilians as it was estimated that two million soldiers were killed. -
Tsar Nicholas II Takes Sole Control of Military Operations
Nicholas II took sole control of military operations and took personal command of the army in 1905. Nicholas II took control as he believed that his army would be inspired and would fight with vigor after taking charge. -
Brusilov Offensive
A successful military operation done by Russia in which during WW1 and 1916, and assault was launched on Austria-Hungary. Forced Germany to divert troops away. The photo demonstrates the brutality and pain caused by the russian assualt -
Assassination of Rasputin
Rasputin was assassinated in 1916 by conspirators who claimed to save the imperial family from Rasputin’s influence. Rasputin was a monk from Siberia and gained reputation as a healer. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
As a response to the military coup, Trotsky organized the Red Guard to defend and protect Petrograd. the photo demonstrates trotsky's charismatic and strong leadership, showing how he was able to work toward defeating the coup. -
Provisional Government Formed
The Provisional Government was formed with the intentions of being a temporary body that could govern Russia in place of the Tsar. The Provisional Government was made up by upper class citizens and was ran by Prince Lvov. -
International Women's Day Protests in Petrograd
The International Women’s Day March in Petrograd was attended by people protesting about the lack of bread. The International Women’s Day March was attended by 250,000 people and soldiers. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Nicholas II abdicates after signing the abdication manifesto in Pskov. -
Return of Lenin from Exile
Lenin returns from exile in Switzerland back to Russia, Lenin would then take control and direction of the Bolsheviks. -
April Theses Published
The April Theses were a series of ten directives issued by Lenin which called for soviets to seize state power and for new communist policies. The April Theses were also influential in causing the July Days and the October Revolution in the next months after it was published. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets Meets
The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets met on June 16, 1917. The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets would take place in Petrograd where the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries made up the majority. -
July Days
A period of days, from July 16-20th in 1917 in which there was a sudden unrest in Petrograd. There were spontaneous armed demonstrations from soldiers and workers. the photo demonstrates the pain faced by the Russian people in which they were brutally gunned down by the resistance. -
Kornilov Affair
A military cue that began in august of 1917, where the provisional government was under threat from the Russian people. the photo illustrates the militaristic nature of the uprising, and how well organized it turned out to be, yet was still ultimately crushed by the Russian government. -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
In late October of 1917 the Bolsheviks overthrow the provisional government and took control of the Russian republic. the photo demonstrates how the bolsheviks were able to drive the people into pushing the revolution forward. -
Kolchak (one of the White leaders) Begins Serious Attacks Against Reds from Siberia
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Cheka is formed
The cheka was formed on December 20th, of 1917, and acted as secret police, establishing the Bolshevik control over Russia by targeting and arresting anti-Bolshevik persons, inspiring fear so that the Bolsheviks had easier control. The photo is of the symbol used by the cheka, and shows the near dystopian nature of the secret police. -
Wartime Communism created
Wartime communism began in July of 1918, and was an economic policy implemented by Lenin in order to help win the civil war, that implemented significant communist changes to the economic stage. The photo shows the famine and struggles faced by the Russian people under war communism -
The Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The constituent assembly was a democratically elected legislature and was eventually disbanded by the Bolshevik takeover on January 18th, 1918. The photo shows the populistic nature of the assembly, and how its disassembly was a net negative for the russian people's democratic freedom. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
A peace treated between Russia and the central powers, made on March 3rd, 1918, that ended Russia’s involvement in WW1 and resulted in significant territorial losses. The photo illustrates the land changes that occured in Russia. -
The Red Terror
An attempt by the Bolshevik government that began in 1918 to silence opposing political voices and establish tyrannical control over Russia. It included the jailing and executions of many political opposers and dissidents. The photo shows a memorial for the martyrs under the Red Terror, and demonstrates the real effect it had on individuals lives -
Poles Move Toward Kiev
This picture shows the number of troops that were used to move on Kiev as well as the support for it. -
Tambov Rebellion
This picture shows how poor the people where with little weapons though where organized. -
Soviets Attempt to Take Warsaw
This shows how the troops felt about this battle though their unserious faces. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
This picture shows the growth of Russia’s economy after the end of wartime communism and the change to the NEP. -
Kronstadt Uprising
This picture shows how this was a well-organized group of sailors with the same ideals. -
Treaty of Rapallo
This shows the relatively small gathering of people for this treaty showing Russia’s uncaringness of the treaty. -
Ukraine Brought Under Soviet Control
This shows the expanding nature of the Reds after the civil war and their territorial gain. -
Formation of Soviet Union
This shows the land and influence of the USSR and how much people and industrial capacity this one-party state has. -
Lenin Dies
This picture shows the great deal of support Lenin had and support for his government that led to the rise of Stalin.