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Decembrist Revolt
The Decebrist Revolt of December 26, 1825, was an insurrection against the Czar, led mostly by former military officers and members of the nobility. It took place at St. Petersburg, Russia, the revolt totally failed, but it served as inspiration for future dissidents. -
Nicholas II becomes Czar of Russia
Nicholas II was born near St. Petersburg, he was the eldest son of Czar Alexander III. He succeeded to the Russian throne upon the death of his father in November 1894, that same month he married Alexandra. After some mourning for his late father, Nicholas and Alexandra were crowned Czar and Czarina on May 1896. -
Russo-Japanese War
February 1904, Russia and Japan started fighting a war over control of Manchuria (region in China) and Korea. Even though Japan had a larger amount of troops, land, and resources, Japan easily beat Russia and won the war. -
Bloody Sunday
January 1905, workers in Russia had been organizing with the goal of more economic equality. Protesters led by Fr. Georgy Gapon marched to the Winter Palace to present their demands. The chief of security ordered that police fire, killing over 100 and wounding 100 more. Nicholas got the nickname "Bloody Nicholas." This led to more uprisings, revolts, and mutinies leading to the Revolution. -
WWI (Russia Involvement)
August 4, 1914, Russia enters the first World War with the largest army in the world, standing at 1,400,000 soldiers. (Russia could not arm all it's soldiers, having a supply of 4.6 million rifles) -
The March Revolution
March 1917, demonstrators shouting for bread took to the streets of the Russian capital. Supported by 90,000 men and women on strike, the protesters fought with police, refusing to leave the streets. Days later, Nicholas abdicated the throne, ending the reign of czars -
Nicholas II Abdicates The Throne
In March 1917, the army at Petrograd joins the striking workers after Russian struggles in WWI. The Czar is forced to give up the throne and is then arrested by the Bolshevik controlled soviets. -
The Russian Civil War Begins
The Russian Civil War started out as a disagreement over the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, this lead to a split between the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks. The secret police lead a campaign of terror to rid the country of non-Bolsheviks. The full civil war broke out in 1919. -
Creation of USSR
The USSR comprised a confederation of Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, and the Transcaucasian Federation. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved following the collapse of the communist government. -
Vladimir Lenin's Death
At age 54, Vladimir Lenin dies due to brain hemorrhage. Lenin's body was embalmed and placed in a mausoleum. Petrograd was renamed Leningrad in his honor.
