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Start of Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
October manifesto was a document written by Nicholas II marking end of tsarist Russia to move away from unlimited autocracy. Revolution caused by civil and political unrest, leading to many worker and peasant uprisings and strikes Image: events of Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg indicating start of Russian Revolution. Began as peaceful demonstration, turned violent due to police involvement -
Beginning of WWI
Officially started because of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Russia's early militarization contributed to the beginning of the war. Russia's railroad expansion was perceived by surrounding major European powers as them preparing for war, creating hostility. Image: Depicts French soldiers singing their national anthem at the beginning of the war. This shows their eagerness to be involved in the war and does not portray fear. -
Tsar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations
As the war began to spread and become more fatal, Nicholas II took control of military operations and left Tsarina Alexandra in control of operations at home. Her rule was later dominated by Rasputin who replaced ministers with his own nominees. It was believed that by taking control of the army, soldiers would be more motivated. Image: Nicholas II at war surrounded by Russian soldiers. He is commanding them and they are on their knees taking instructions, showing respect to him -
Brusilov Offensive
Russian attack on Central Powers on the eastern front near today's Ukraine. Tremendous amount of casualties that eliminated imperial Russia's offensive power and contributed to its collapse. Worst crisis of WWI for Austria-Hungary and Triple Entente's greatest victory. Image: Russian soldiers aggressively attacking, emphasizing how this event was considered one of the most lethal offensives in world history. -
Assassination of Rasputin
While Nicholas II was at war, hatred for the Tsarina and Rasputin began to increase. Rasputin was assassinated by conservative noblemen that opposed his influence-was intended to be killed by cyanide poisoning but ultimately died of hypothermia Image: Depicts control that Rasputin was thought to have over the tsar and tsarina. Eventually assassinated because of the power he was thought to have in the Russian government -
Provisional Government formed
(February) Formed after collapse of tsarist government. Intended to by run by Dumas to ensure people's power, ended up run by only constitutional monarchy and people had very little power. Promised the people that war would end but did not fulfill that promise. Image: Officials representing Provisional Government. Having many officials work together was intended to keep the nation away from returning to autocracy. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
(March) Red Guards were voluntary formations composed of factory workers, peasants, cossacks, and some soldiers/sailors. Protected Soviet power during Russian Revolution, guaranteed occupation of public buildings (Winter Palace), and ensured essential services. Image: Red Guards show initiation, resolution, and determination during uprising due to violence of situation. Smoke and loads of weaponry identify obstacles, emergence, and consequences. -
International Women's Day march in Petrograd
Female textile workers began a march in Petrograd demanding better working conditions. Asked for peace and bread and an end to WWI, food shortages, and an autocratic government. Image: Depicts large crowds of mostly women joined by some men marching in Petrograd, the capital of Russia. This march contributed to the beginning of the Russian Revolution. -
Nicholas II abdicates
Nicholas II forced to abdicate throne due to Petrograd Insurgents on International Women's Day. Provisional Government installed in his place. Army garrison joined striking workers and demanded socialist reform. Gave people hope that they would receive more rights and better working conditions. Image: Newspaper portraying worldwide news of Russia's escape from tsarism due to results. Biggest factor of abdication was army going against throne and siding with workers on strike. -
April Theses published
Series of 10 directives issued by Lenin upon his return to Petrograd. Promoted a socialist revolution and opposed the Provisional Government in support of Bolshevik-led policies. Three demands: end the war, transfer land to peasants, and nationalize banks. Image: Lenin speaking in Petrograd promoting his April Theses which promised an end to the war and land for peasants. Was supported by Bolsheviks, socialists, and workers/peasants. -
Return of Lenin from exile
Lenin was arrested for sedition in 1897 and later moved to western Europe where he was a theorist in the Marxist Russian SD Labor Party. Returned to Russia near beginning of Russian Revolution and led the socialist Bolshevik party. Image: Lenin returned to Russia with socialist ideologies that the workers hoped would help them. He was greeted by people in favor of the Bolshevik party. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets Meets
Met in Petrograd in building of First Cadet Corps. Party mainly composed of Mensheviks and SRs. In the end, Congress rejected Bolshevik resolutions to end war and transfer power to Soviets. Instead, Congress got support from Socialist Ministers and agreed on war with no annexations/indemnities Image: Session of Congress. Crowdedness and mix between people standing/sitting illustrates chaos of 1090 delegates from various parties trying to persuade Congress of their resolutions -
July Days
Period of unrest in Petrograd where many demonstrated against Provisional Government due to its war effort, ministry collapse, and Bolshevik propaganda. Demonstrators suppressed & government won, Bolshevik leaders arrested. Decline of Bolshevik power and influence. Image: Violent and angry demonstrators display uneven, spontaneous, and chaotic development of revolution. Bolshevik involvement shows how their movement was destroyed due to such fatal error. -
Kornilov Affair
General Kornilov (commander-in-chief of Russian Army) attempted coup d'etat against Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet. Humiliated Provisional Government and revived Bolsheviks by increasing their membership and support. Image: General Kornilov and other high-ranking officers are illustrated as determined leaders to force out Bolsheviks and establish right-wing dictatorship. Depicted by their serious faces and proper posture. -
Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government and take control
October Revolution led by Lenin who launched coup d'etat against Provisional Government. Occupied government buildings and other strategic locations in Petrograd. In the end, Bolsheviks seized power. Image: Fall of the Winter Palace. Huge amounts of dust and large numbers of men charging at the Winter Palace indicate the great deal of pressure Kerensky put on soldiers to seize control quickly. -
Cheka formed
First Soviet secret-police organization formed to identify and suppress counter-revolutionary activity. Size and power grew as opposition to Bolsheviks grew. Image: Soldier's extreme violence shows how Cheka took advantage of rules/powers as they were not formally written and therefore interpreted in many ways in terms of suppressing political opposition such as executions, imprisonments, and mass arrests according to Lenin's direction. -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
Bolsheviks formed congress declaring first Soviet Republic of Ukraine. Ukrainian National forces were overrun for installation of Soviet regime in the country with direct support from Soviet Russia. Image: Bolshevik commissars in Ukraine. Evidence of Bolshevik negotiations to take control of Ukraine. -
Introduction of Wartime Communism
(June) Utilized coercion to maintain strong communist economy that resulted in many hardships such as famines for peasants and workers. Centralized command economy, people under strict and direct control of Bolsheviks. Increased tension towards Lenin and his government. Image: Depicts detrimental effects of War Communism and the suffering of peasants due to food rationing and the failure to keep the economy afloat. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
Democratic-elected assembly formed after Oct. Revolution that held power to pass/amend laws for reformists & radicals. Composed of Kadets, SRs, Mensheviks, & moderate Bolsheviks. Lenin condemned assembly as unrepresentative and counter-revolutionary and sent Red Guards to dissolve it Image: Lenin's frustrated campaigning face during elections of assembly emphasizes effort it took him to get there. After all Bolshevik demonstrations, he still tried to get the last straw of Russia. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Determined peace between Russia and Central Powers. Gave independence to Ukraine, Georgia, and Finland to Russia, but Russia had to give up many territories. Russia lost 34% of population, 54% of industrial land, 89% of coalfields, and 26% of railways. Fined 300 mil gold marks. Image: Map depicts extensive amount of Russian land loss in pink. Some of land loss was possibly due to past wars in which Russia earned ownership of some pieces of land, but is now being deprived of those. -
Kolchak (one of White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
Kolchak was supreme commander of White forces. Army began attacks against Reds and continued advance towards Moscow. Defeated several Red armies and used bread shortages to their advantage. Image: Shows Kolchak and the British. Although he relied on the White Army, this signifies how he was so determined to crush the Reds that he was willing to seek support from Western nations. -
Red Terror
Bolsheviks utilized terror and coercion to hunt and kill opposition groups, ethnic minorities, and class enemies who were a threat to the communist state. Cheka was implemented. Nearly 1 million were killed; desperate attempt to maintain roots of communism within state. Image: Shows Cheka, which was a defining part of the Red Terror movement as a secret police group that rooted out political enemies and established loyalty for Bolsheviks. -
Poles move towards Kiev
Led by Alexander Pilsudki. Soviet 12th army was largely destroyed and Polish army forces pushed Soviet army out of central Ukraine as they quickly marched eastward through Vinnytsia. Bolshevik army suffered some defeats but avoided total destruction. Image: Displays Polish Army entering Kiev. Demonstrates how this small yet significant victory could perhaps spark hope within enemies of Bolsheviks and undermine them and Communism to a certain extent. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
Soviets crossed the Vistula River and planned to take Warsaw from the west while a major attack came from the east. Image: Portrays power of the Soviets and how they were able to attempt to take an important city like Warsaw with critical strategies and attacks. -
Tambov Rebellion
Antonov led 70,000 peasant men who opposed Bolshevik grain requisitioning squads who utilized coercion to steal food supplies when there was barely any left. About 100,000 Red Army forces dealt with the uprising, resulting in heavy civilian casualties and harmful diseases/epidemics. Image: Vivid determination of peasants to fight against injustices. They didn't have adequate weaponry/strength to fight Bolsheviks, but had passion to advocate for a better life. Represents failure of War Communism -
Ending of War Communism
By the end of this policy, there was a deadly famine where an estimated 7 million had died. Revolts were triggered, production had significantly dropped, and there was massive political opposition from peasants and left-wingers. Image: Shows the population that was most affected by War Communism, the peasants. They had to deal with extensive food shortages and millions of casualties. -
Kronstadt uprising
Left-wing sailors on naval base off Petrograd protested against the Bolsheviks. Wanted replacement of Bolsheviks with more socialist state. Bolsheviks responded by attacking Kronstadt; around 20,000 were killed, wounded, executed, or sent to the Gulag. Image: Shows how the Kronstadt sailors were an inspiration for other anti-Bolshevik groups. Uprising demonstrated serious changes that needed to happen in Russia and how these revolution 'heroes' were willing to take a stand. -
Treaty of Rapallo
Agreement between Germany and Russia. Since both countries were vulnerable after WWI, they decided to form an understanding together and help each other with practical/domestic concerns. Renounced all debts and territorial claims, secretly agreed to cooperate militarily. Image: Chancellor of Germany negotiating with representatives from Russian delegation. Happy expressions on men's faces shows how they were initiating positive relations and were content to be working together -
Formation of Soviet Union
Soviet Union formed based on one-party rule of Bolsheviks. It was officially consolidated as the new government of Russia after the Bolsheviks won the Russian Civil War in 1922. Image: Map of USSR that shows all of the Soviet Socialist Republics involved in the formation of the Soviet Union. The union wasn't just Russia; it was a combination of a bunch of different republics. -
Lenin dies
Vladimir Lenin died after falling into a coma due to a suspected brain hemorrhage. Petrograd was renamed Leningrad in his honor upon his death. After his death, Joseph Stalin succeeded him as the preeminent leader of the Soviet Union. Image: Shows Lenin's state funeral. The large crowd of people gathered around his coffin displays his significance and the legacy he died with after all he did for Russia.