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The Revolution of 1905 and October Manifesto
The picture chosen is a painting depicting the events of Bloody Sunday, an event where protestors marching on the Winter Palace were shot by Nicholas II's army. This event was the most significant in the entire revolution as it caused widespread disdain for the Tsarist regime, leading to Nicholas II's concessions in the October Manifesto later that year. -
The Beginning of WW1
The picture included is a painting depicting the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Historians argue that this event ignited a "powder keg" in Europe that created the First World War. The assassination triggered Austria Hungary---emboldened by Germany's "blank cheque"---to take action upon Serbia. The complex alliance system furthered tensions in the situation and created WW1. -
Tsar Nicholas II Takes Sole Control of Military Operations
This picture shows Tsar Nicholas II blessing soldiers before they head out for battle. It shows the control that Nicholas had over Russia, and it was enough control to see himself as a powerful figure which could lead his nation to victory in WWI. -
Brusilov Offensive
This photo was chosen because it is a portrait of Russian General Aleksey Brusilov. He was the leader and mind behind the offensive and because of his strategy, caused Austria-Hungary massive causalities in the midway point of the war from which they never recovered from. -
Assassination of Rasputin
The image chosen depicts Grigory Rasputin among Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and her daughters. This image is significant because it shows the intimate relationship Rasputin had with the royal family. This relationship was the source of hate and rumor for the Russian populace, as they believed Rasputin was manipulating the royal family with his questionable ideology. -
International Women's Day March in Petrograd
The image chosen depicts the International Women's Day protests in Petrograd. The image was chosen because it depicts the demonstrators of the protest being ordinary women. The extent to which ordinary women participated in the protest showcases the widespread disillusionment of the Russian public with the Tsar. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
This picture was chosen because it depicts Nicholas II shortly after his abdication. Soldiers can be seen in the background. It shows how Nicholas was so disliked in the period that he had to have significant military presence surrounding his home. -
Provisional Government Formed
The image chosen is of Alexander Kerensky, the prime minister of Russia under the Provisional Government. Kerensky was significant in his policies, which satisfied neither left nor right wingers, and his unique position as being the only member of the Provisional Government that was previously part of the Duma (the two were antagonists). Thus, his position held considerable weight. -
Return of Lenin from Exile
The image chosen depicts Lenin upon his arrival from exile, having been aided by the Germans in his return. The image is significant because it depicts how much support Lenin had upon his return to Russia, and to the extent to which the Bolsheviks were anticipating a figurehead to kickstart their revolutionary activities. -
April Theses Published
The image chosen is that of several soldiers and some workers protesting against Lenin's arrival in returning to Russia. It also shows the impact that Lenin had on many of the regular people within Russian society and how they were worried of Lenin's reformist ideas which could drastically change their lives. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets Meets
The image here is a photo of the first All-Russian congress of Soviets meeting for the first time. It was an important time within Russian history because it was the first time any democratic system was in charge of the Russian state, but it was also the beginning of the Soviet party which ended up becoming the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks. -
July Days
This image chosen is that of several protesters out on the streets of Petrograd, Russia. They were under machine gun fire for demonstrating and rioting against the Provisional Government. It is a significant part in history which was able to fuel Bolshevik hate towards the Provisional Government. -
Kornilov Affair
The image chosen is of General Lavr Kornilov who was responsible for starting the coup against the Provisional Government. He played a large role in trying to stop the Provisional Government and was a last of a dying group of Tsar loyalists. -
Trostsky Organizes Red Guard to Defend Petrograd
The image chosen here is of Trotsky personally addressing the Red Guard himself. This image shows not only the importance of Trotsky as a leader to the Bolsheviks but also speaks to the important of the Red Guard and how it was necessary for them to help the Bolsheviks in overthrowing the Provisional Government. -
Bolsheviks Overthrow the Provisional Government and Take Control
This image shows Vladimir Lenin addressing a crowd of Bolshevik supporters and Russian citizens a bit after the Provisional Government was overthrown. It shows the view of Lenin over the people of Russia and the power he was able to assert over them with the Provisional Government gone. -
Cheka Formed
The image here is a painting by Ivan Vladimirov called 'In the basements of a Cheka'. It represents the terror and oppression that the Cheka represented to the people of Russia, how they were able to invoke pain and suffering to anyone who opposed the Bolshevik party. -
Wartime Communism Created
Lenin created wartime communism to support the Red Army. Food and resources were given to Red soldiers above anybody else, so Russian citizens starved. This image shows the extent of their suffering, while outside parties (in this case, American relief workers) came to feed starving Russian children -
Constituent Assembly Meets and is Disbanded
This picture shows Vladimir Lenin hovered above the Constituent Assembly, and his hand is outstretched as if he is ordering them all. Lenin stands out of the crowd and is the only one with enough room to outstretch his arm. Him motioning towards the people asserts his dominance over them. He has disbanded the Constituent Assembly. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Leaders of Russia and the Central Powers are all in one room signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Them being together in one room agreeing to this treaty shows their unity. -
Red Terror
This picture is an accurate artistic representation of Red Terror, in which Chekas carried out executions and political repressions against Bolshevik opposition. The skeleton with the red uniform in this image is gigantic compared to the city below him. This shows the Red Army's power over Russia. -
Kolchak Begins Attacks on Red Army From Siberia
Troops under Admiral Kolchak assaulted Red Army forces along four major fronts in an effort to retake the Volga region. This image depicts the White Army on their way to attack. -
Poles Move Toward Kiev
The picture chosen shows Polish troops marching through the streets of Kiev after they captured it with little deaths and massive amounts of Red Army soldiers captured. -
Soviets Attempt to Take Warsaw
This picture shows Polish soldiers holding captured Red Army flags after coming back from the jaws of defeat to push the Red Army back. -
Tambov Rebellion
This picture shows the peasants that joined the rebellion to fight against the Red Army and how different they looked compared to the fully equipped Red Army. -
Kronstadt Uprising
This picture was chosen as it shows how the revolting sailors were disliked by the government as they executed all captured revoltors. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
This picture shows what the people had to go through during the use of wartime communism and with the ending of it they won't have to starve and eat horses anymore. -
Ukraine Brought Under Soviet Control
This picture shows people in Red cloaks (Red soldiers) swarming around Ukrainian people (represented by the Ukrainian flag). The Ukrainian people are totally surrounded, showing their loss to the Red Army. -
Treaty of Rapallo
This picture shows the Chancellor of Germany, Joseph Wirth, with the members of the Russian Delegation and shows the friendship they have and hope to achieve with the treaty. -
Formation of the Soviet Union
This picture is of the flag of the Soviet Union and was chosen because they symbol used on the flag represents what the Soviet Union stands for, workers unity. -
Lenin Dies
This picture was chosen as it shows how much the Soviet Union worshipped Lenin as they preserved his body for all of time and showcased it for all to see.