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Marxists Revolutionaries split
Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revolutionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader. -
Japanese Attacks at Port Arthur, Manchuria
Russia and Japan had been competing for control of Korea and Manchuria in the 1800s. They had signed agreements for the territories but Russia broke them which led to the Japanese retaliating and attacking Port Arthur. News of Russian losses caused revolts amidst the war. -
Bloody Sunday
200,000 workers and their families went to the czar’s palace in St. Petersburg. They asked for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. Nicholas II’s generals ordered soldiers to fire on the crowd and over 1,000 were wounded and hundreds were killed. This eventually led to a wave of strikes and violence that spread across the country. -
First Duma Meeting
This meeting showed that the Czar was allowing a bit more freedom. The leaders of this parliament wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy like Britain. But the czar didn’t want to share his power so he dissolved the Duma after ten weeks. -
Czar drags Russia into World War I
Russia’s weak generals and poorly equipped troops couldn’t defeat the German army. More than 4 million Russian soldiers had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. This showed how weak czarist rule and military leadership were. -
Woman Textile Worker Strike
200,000 workers went on strike. The soldiers were ordered to shoot the rioters but eventually decided to side with the workers. This showed the military losing faith in the leader. -
New Government
Armed factory workers stormed the Winter Palace. They took over government offices and arrested the leaders of the provisional government. They replaced old leaders. -
The Signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty
Russia and Germany signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty which surrendered a large part of its territory to Germany and its allies. This caused humiliation and a widespread anger among many Russians. They began to object to the Bolsheviks and their policies and to the murder of the royal family. -
Aftermath of the Russian Civil War
The destruction and loss of life from fighting, hunger, and a worldwide flu epidemic left Russia in chaos. In the end, the Red Army crushed all opposition. The victory showed that the Bolsheviks were able both to seize power and to maintain it. -
New Economic Policy
Lenin temporarily put aside his plan for a state-controlled economy. The government kept control of major industries, banks, and means of communication, but it let some small factories, businesses, and farms operate under private ownership.The government also encouraged foreign investment. -
Stalin’s Rise to Power
Stalin began his ruthless climb to the head of the government in 1922 and he worked behind the scenes to move his supporters into positions of power. The country was named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), in honor of the councils that helped launch the Bolshevik Revolution.
