-
Nicholas II ascended the throne after the death of Alexander III, inheriting an autocratic government and a country with social and economic tensions
-
Russia fought Japan over influence in Manchuria and Korea. Russia suffered humiliating defeats, which caused unrest at home and contributed to the 1905 Revolution, ended 5th September
-
Father Gregory Gapon led a peaceful march of workers to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II demanding better working conditions and fair wages. Instead of listening, the Tsar’s troops opened fire on the crowd, killing and wounding hundreds, sparking widespread outrage across Russia.
-
Mass strikes in factories and cities demanded better wages, working conditions, and political reform, crippling industry and challenging government authority. By Feb it had spread to other cities
-
Three weeks of brutal fighting, Russian forces under General Kuropatkin were defeated by the Japanese army. Around 90,000 Russians were killed, wounded, or captured, leading to falling morale. The humiliating loss exposed Russia’s military weakness and deepened unrest.
-
Following Russia’s military defeats and rising unrest, groups such as the newly formed Union of Unions — made up of liberal professionals, workers, and students — demanded political reform, civil rights, and a constitution, putting new pressure on the Tsar to end autocratic rule.
-
Sailors aboard the Battleship Potemkin mutinied over poor conditions and brutal discipline, killing their officers and taking control of the ship. The mutiny inspired uprisings across the Black Sea and symbolised growing rebellion within the Tsar’s forces.
-
From June-July these riots became widespread in the countryside. Land was seized and landowners houses were looted and burned.
-
Ended the Russo-Japanese War; Russia ceded territory to Japan and recognised its influence in Korea, humiliating the Tsarist government and sparking domestic anger.
-
In response to the 1905 Revolution, promising civil liberties, including freedom of speech and assembly, and created a parliament (the Duma), laws would need their approval before being passed, it gave people a say in government, aiming to calm growing unrest.
-
St PS of Workers Deputies was formed. Representatives from factories met to co-ordinate strike action. Soviets were formed in other cities, a great threat to the Tsar's government
-
Introduced special military tribunals to quickly execute or exile revolutionaries, suppressing opposition and maintaining order, ended in 1911
-
The Tsar reasserted his absolute authority, gave himself veto power over the Duma, and retained full control of the army and government, showing that the promises made in the October Manifesto were largely limited.
-
Formed after the October Manifesto promised a parliament to calm unrest. It was very radical, with many liberals and socialists, and criticised the government. Dissolved after just 72 days because the Tsar refused to share real power. Ended 8th July 1906
-
Launched reforms to modernise agriculture, support peasant land ownership, and strengthen the government, while using harsh measures to suppress revolutionary groups and maintain order
-
Encouraged peasants to own land individually rather than in communes, aiming to modernise agriculture and create loyal, independent farmers
-
Formed under the same rules as the First Duma, with elections held after the first was dissolved. Even more radical than the First, it included strong socialist and peasant representation. Stolypin dissolved it and changed the electoral laws to reduce opposition. Ended 3 June 1907
-
Formed under Stolypin’s new electoral law, which favoured conservatives and wealthy voters. This made the Duma more loyal to the Tsar, limiting radical influence while giving the appearance of parliamentary government. Ended 9 June 1912
-
Prime Minister Stolypin is shot dead by revolutionary Dmitry Bogrov in Kiev. His death ends hopes of moderate reform and weakens the Tsar’s government before World War I.
-
Following the outbreak of World War I and increased Tsarist repression of revolutionaries, Lenin leaves Russia for exile in Switzerland, where he continues to lead the Bolsheviks from abroad.
-
Russia entered the war against Germany and Austria-Hungary, suffering heavy losses and putting immense strain on the economy and society
-
The Tsar personally led the Russian army at the front, leaving domestic government to Alexandra and Rasputin, which damaged his reputation.
-
Nobles assassinate Rasputin, whose influence over the Tsarina caused widespread scandal and discontent. His murder symbolises the Tsarist regime’s corruption and loss of authority.
-
Women textile workers in Petrograd went on strike over food shortages and poor working conditions, sparking mass protests that escalated into the February Revolution.
-
Strikes escalate as factories shut down and thousands of workers join protests. Demonstrations turn violent when troops are ordered to fire but many soldiers refuse, growing mutiny in the army.
-
Workers and soldiers establish a council to coordinate strikes and protests. The Soviet later becomes a powerful alternative authority to the Provisional Government, representing workers’ and soldiers’ interests.
-
Nicholas II loses control of the capital. Facing pressure from the Duma and army leaders, he abdicates the throne, ending over 300 years of Romanov rule. Power is transferred to the Provisional Government.
-
Following Nicholas II’s abdication, members of the Duma establish a Provisional Government to maintain order and continue the war. Its authority is limited by the Petrograd Soviet, creating a ‘dual power’ situation in Russia.
-
The Provisional Government administers the state, but the Petrograd Soviet controls workers and soldiers. Strikes, protests, and demands for land reform continue, showing the fragile nature of the new regime.
-
Lenin arrives from his exile in Switzerland via a sealed German train arranged to allow safe passage through wartime Europe.
-
Lenin immediately issues the April Theses, rejecting cooperation with the Provisional Government. He calls for ‘all power to the Soviets,’ the end of Russia’s participation in WWI, land redistribution to peasants, and state control of banks and industry, providing a radical programme that transforms Bolshevik strategy.
-
Workers, soldiers, and sailors stage mass demonstrations in Petrograd demanding ‘all power to the Soviets.’ The Provisional Government suppresses the uprising, and Lenin goes into hiding, temporarily weakening Bolshevik influence, ended 7 July.
-
General Kornilov attempts a coup against the Provisional Government. Kerensky arms the Bolsheviks to defend Petrograd. The coup fails, boosting Bolshevik prestige and support ahead of the October Revolution.
-
After fleeing to Finland following the failed July Days uprising, Lenin secretly returns to Petrograd to plan the Bolshevik seizure of power. His return reinvigorates the party’s leadership ahead of the October Revolution.
-
Led by Lenin and Trotsky, the Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government in Petrograd, seizing key government buildings and infrastructure. The takeover establishes Bolshevik control and marks the start of Soviet rule in Russia.
-
Trotsky showed open contempt for the peace negotiations that ended Russia’s involvement in World War I. However Trotsky's avoidance led to harsher terms
-
The Bolsheviks (Reds) fought a multi-sided war against the Whites and other opponents across Russia, using the Red Army and terror to survive and secure their control. Ended in 1921
-
After the Bolsheviks’ seizure of power, elections give a majority to the Socialist Revolutionaries. When the Assembly meets, Lenin orders its dissolution after one day, establishing Bolshevik dictatorship.
-
When the Socialist Revolutionaries win a majority, the Assembly refuses to back Bolshevik policies. Lenin orders Red Guards to shut it down after one day, ending democracy and establishing Bolshevik dictatorship.
-
Trotsky stormed out of negotiations declaring the war over, this was not actually the case
-
Russia left WWI after negotiating peace with Germany, giving up large areas of land, which angered many Russians but allowed the Bolsheviks to focus on consolidating power at home
-
The Bolshevik government imposed strict control over industry and agriculture, seizing grain and centralising production to supply the Red Army during the Civil War, causing widespread hardship, ended in 1921
-
Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, and their children are executed by Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg to prevent their rescue by advancing White forces, marking the final end of the Romanov dynasty.
-
Launched after an assassination attempt on Lenin. The Cheka carries out mass arrests and executions to crush opposition, securing Bolshevik control through fear during the Civil War.
-
Even sailors who had previously supported the Bolsheviks rebelled against harsh policies, highlighting growing discontent and the limits of Bolshevik support. Ended March 17
-
Lenin introduced a temporary return to limited capitalism, allowing peasants to sell surplus produce and small businesses to operate, to rebuild the economy after the Civil War and War Communism.