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Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revolutionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader.
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Japan attacked the Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria in retaliation to Russia breaking the series of agreements over the territories of Korea and Manchuria.
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About 200,000 workers and their families approached the czar's Winter Palace in St Petersburg. They carried a petition for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and elected national legislature. Nicholas II's generals ordered soldiers to shoot into the crowd, where 1,000 were injuered and hundreds died.
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The first Duma met (Russia's first parliament) and they wanted Russia to be like Britain with a constitutional monarchy. The czar dissolved the Duma after 10 weeks because he didn't want to share his power.
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Nicholas II sent his troops of Russia into WWI. They were unprepared to handle military and economic costs. They were no match for Germany and 4 million Russian soldiers were killed/wounded or taken as a prisoner.
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Rasputin is killed by Czar's nephew, but doesn't die easily. He wrote a letter predicting the downfall of the Romanov Empire.
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Women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. Riots flared up over bread and fuel for more than 5 day. 200,000 workers swarmed the streets and were shouting. First, the soldiers were ordered to shoot the rioters, but later sided with them.
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Without warning, ararmed factory factor workers invaded the Winter Palace in Petrograd. Workers called themselves Bolshevik Red Guards. Also, these workers took over government offices and arrested the leaders of the provisional government.
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Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia surrendered a big chunk of territory to Germany and its allies. The treaty terms caused widespread anger among many Russians. The Russians objected to the Bolsheviks and their policies and murder of royal family.
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The Romanovs are executed by firing squad by the Bolsheviks. Nichol II, Alexandra, Anastasia, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and four servants are all killed.
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Civil war raged in Russia from 1918-1920. Western nations sent military aid and forces to Russia to help the White Army. 14 million Russians died from the three-year struggle and from famine. Finally, the Red Army crushed all opposition.
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Lenin put aside a state-controlled economy plan and chose a small-scale version of Capitalism- New Economic Policy (NEP) The reforms allowed peasants the freedom to sell extra crops instead of the government consuming it.
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Russia named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, also known as USSR, honoring councils that aided the launch of the Bolshevik Revolution. Bolsheviks renamed their party the Communist Party. Next, Lenin experienced a stoke which started competition for leading up the Communist Party. Finally, Stalin worked his way to the head of the government.
