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Period: Jan 16, 1547 to
Centuries of autocratic rule by the Czars
The Czar was the title given to the divine ruler of Russia. They ruled like kings, with no limits to their power. They ruled for centuries until unrest in the country caused a revolution. -
Nicholas II becomes Czar of Russia
On this day, the unprepared Nicholas II was crowned Czar of Russia, the last Czar to rule the country. -
Period: to
Revolution of 1905—Bloody Sunday
On January 22, 1905, more than 100 workers were killed and hundreds were wounded when police fired on a peaceful demonstration in front of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. -
Russia loses war with Japan
On this day, Russia signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, signaling the end of the Russo-Japanese war. -
Russia enters World War I
Russia entered World War I in the three days succeeding July 28, 1914 — beginning with Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia, a Russian ally. -
Revolutionary movements begin and compete for power
Revolutionary ideas form and grow throughout Russia. -
Dissatisfied workers organize strike
When female workers in Petrograd took to the streets to protest against food shortages, the protests widened into a political general strike in the capital. -
Period: to
March Revolution
Revolution resulting in the abdication of Czar Nicholas II, starting from a women's march and general strike. -
Provisional government is established
On this day, the Russian Provisional Government was started. This government ran the country until the October Revolution brought it to an end. -
Czar Nicholas abdicates the throne
This is the day when Czar Nicholas II is forced to abdicate from power by his own people. -
Lenin Returns to Russia
After being exiled, Lenin returns to Russia and brings his Socialist and Marxist ideals with him. -
Bolshevik Revolution topples provisional government
On this day, the October Revolution reaches its final stage where the Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and come into power over Russia. -
Period: to
Civil War between Red and White Armies
The Russian Civil War started because of the radical ideas brought up by the Bolsheviks. It was fought between the Red Army, led by the Bolsheviks, against the White Army, led by non-radicals and monarchists who opposed the new government. -
Russia is organized into several self-governing republics
Lenin organized Russia into several self-governing republics called soviets. -
Bolsheviks change name to Communist Party
The Bolsheviks changed their name to the All-Russian Communist Party. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ends Russia’s involvement in WWI
On this day, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed, which concluded hostilities between the Central Powers with the Ukrainian Republic and with Soviet Russia during World War I. -
Lenin establishes New Economic Policy (NEP)
On this day, Lenin establishes a new economic policy for Russia called the New Economic Policy. The NEP was introduced in order to aid the recovery of the ruined Soviet economy and to quell the uproar amongst the urban and rural population. The NEP rolled back total state control of the economy, aiming for the Russian economy to become more independent. -
Lenin suffers stroke
He died suddenly at 6:50 p.m. on Jan. 21, 1924, a few months before his 54th birthday. The cause of death: a massive stroke. -
Stalin becomes Dictator
Serving in the Russian Civil War before overseeing the Soviet Union's establishment in 1922, Stalin assumed leadership over the country following Lenin's 1924 death.