-
Russian Industrialization
Between the years of 1863 and 1916 the number of factories doubled in Russia as well as the completion of a trans Siberian railway. In order to industrialize at such a fast rate Tzar Nicholas raised taxes and looked to other countries for support. Industrialization helped to propel the revolution because the rapid growth caused discontent over the working conditions and wages. -
Russo-Japanese War
In the late 1900s Japan and Russia competed for control of land in Korea and Manchuria, but both countries signed treaties over the land. Eventually Russia broke those treaties, and Japan attacked Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria in retaliation. Anger over the loses in the war led to unrest and revolts back in Russia. -
Bloody Sunday
Russian workers attempted to petition Czar Nicholas II for better working conditions, freedoms, and a representative government. The Czar's troops fire on the petitioners and kill several hundred. This event demonstrated the socioeconomic problems suffered by average Russians and the unwillingness of the monarchy to reform. -
Russia Enters World War l
On the battlefield Russia was no match for the massive German army, and only one year after entering the war 4 million Russian soldiers were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Back at home during the war, Czarina Alexandra gave control of the government to Rasputin who was an ineffective leader. Russia's increasing weakness on the battlefield and at home left people wanting change and the war to end. -
March Revolution
In March 1917, women textile works led a city-wide strike that turned into a 5 days of riots over bread and fuel shortages. The protest then grew into a general uprising which forced Czar Nicholas II to abdicate his throne and a provisional government to be created. The new government only worsened conditions in Russia and made revolutionaries more radical. -
Bolsheviks Revolution
Factory workers stormed the Winter Palace and took over the government from the provisional government. Now in power, the Bolsheviks and Lenin distributed land to peasants, gave control of factories to the workers, and signed a peace treaty with Germany. Many Russians were angry with the terms of the treaty and the Bolsheviks' policies. -
Lenin Returns to Russia
Germany wanted to create unrest in Russia in order to distract them from their effort in World War l. They decided to arrange Lenin's return from exile. Lenin will become the leader of the Bolsheviks in taking down the provisional government -
Civil War
The Bolsheviks now faced the White Army in a war at home. The opposition, the White Army, barely cooperated with each other, but they had one goal, defeating the Bolsheviks. The war left Russia in chaos from destruction, famine, and loss of life, but the victory showed the power and strength of the Bolsheviks. -
Bolsheviks renamed to the Communist Party
After being in power for a little while Lenin decided it was time for political reform such as renaming the country to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. His party, the Bolsheviks, was also renamed to the Communist Party and now held all the power. Lenin now had what he wanted, a dictatorship of the Communist Party. -
Stalin Becomes Dictator
In 1922 Lenin suffered a stroke, starting a competition between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin for head of the Communist Party. Stalin was seen as extremely powerful as he rose from general secretary in 1922 to dictator in 1928. As dictator, Stalin was ready to use his absolute power.
