Russian Revolution Timeline

  • Nicholas II becomes Czar

    This was just the start of an oppressive, monarchy leadership that had been passed on throughout Nicholas II's ancestors
  • Bloody Sunday

    Around 200,000 workers stormed outside Winter Palace demanding more freedom, such as better working conditions, more personal freedom, and elected national legislature. Nicholas II ordered troops to fire into the crowd, killing over 1,000 people. After this more and more people rioted against the Czar's rule.
  • Russia joins the fight against Germany in WWI

    Despite civilian protests, Czar Nicholas II joins WWI. Russia was in no way prepared for the economic blow they took during the war. This upset many Russians because they felt as if they had no control over important matters.
  • The March Revolution

    Over 200,000 women textile workers revolt due to a shortage of bread and fuel. They storm the streets and create chaos throughout all of Russia. This was the last event to close in on the oppressive government that was Czar Nicholas II.
  • Czar Nicholas II steps down

    Due to the tension spread throughout Russia from the people to Nicholas II, the czar thought it would be best to step down from his position of power. Nicholas II set up a provisional government, to take place of the czar. Even with Nicholas II not in power, people were still unhappy with the government that was in power.
  • Lenin Returns to Russia

    With Lenin being exiled in the early 1900's, the Russian government didn't see him and the Bolsheviks as a threat. However when the people of the Bolshevik party begged for their leader to come back, he returned back from exile. This would stir up trouble for the provisional government who had still been acting with Nicholas II policies.
  • The Bolsheviks gain power

    Revolutionaries, called the Bolshevik Red Guards stormed Winter Palace and took over the provisional government very quickly. The members of the provisional government had either fled or been arrested by the Red Guards. This new system of government would soon bring Russia something completely different and new.
  • Russia ends involvement in WWI

    Due to the people's persistence, Lenin leads Russia to sign the Treaty of Brest-Litousk with Germany. This surrendered a large mass of Russia's land to Germany and Germany's allies. This along with the murder of the royal family, a majority of Russian's became angry with the new government, because they didn't appreciate the way they treated Russian history and the nation itself.
  • Start of the Russian Civil War

    War erupted when the people who disproved of the Bolsheviks banned together to try and fight the new established government. The "White Army" as they called themselves, varied from different ends of the spectrum. Some people that were apart of the White Army still supported the czar, others wanted a larger say in their government, to make it more democratic and lastly, there were others who were socialist but didn't support Lenin's extreme views.
  • Russian Civil War Ends

    Due to opposing views within the White Army, they couldn't get along and cooperate enough to fight against the Bolsheviks. Despite the help the White Army received by western nations, the Bolsheviks in the end overpowered the White Army. It had been the bloodiest revolution at the time, and it showed the Bolshevik Red Army could maintain their power.