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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
.I chose this image because it is of a duma council meeting which was a product of the revolt. -
Beginning of WWI
This is an image of archduke franz ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. I chose an image of him because his assassination is commonly referred to as the catalysts/ cause of WWI. -
Czar Nicholas II take sole control of military operations
This is an image of Czar Nicholas taking the lead in a battle. I chose this image because he took sole control of the military operations, hoping to make this image a reality and motivate the military with his presence. -
Brusilov Offensive (June 4, 1916-Sep 20, 1916)
This image depicts one of the attacks at Galicia during the Offensive which lasted roughly 3 months.It was the largest successful Allied offensive in WWI despite having miscommuunication and other mistakes. The Offensive was sigificant because it greatly increased the amount of enemy territory compared to Allied offensives. The massive use of resources and inability to recreate similar successes contributed to the growing unpopularity of Russia's involvement in WWI. (and uprisings/protests) -
Assassination of Rasputin
I chose this image because initially Rasputin was poisoned but after not responding he had to be shot -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
.This is an image that consists mostly of women engaging in revolt. I chose this image because it is significant. Its significance comes from the fact that the revolution was initially a women's march showing the potential power of women in politics. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
I chose this image because he is being struck by the demands of the people. The same people (workers) went on strike which ultimately lead to his abdication. Those demands (as reflected by the cartoon) are Freedoms, Liberties, a parliament, and a constitution. -
Provisional Government formed
The provisional government was the government established after Nicholas II abdicated. They were in charge of foreign and internal conflicts/affairs. This photo is significant as it depicts who is in the provisional government and they are all wealthy men. The demographic is significant because it proves that the government has limited perspective and will prioritize the rich. -
April Theses Published
The image is a collection of pictures surrounding the directives Lenin issued. It was chosen as it reflects the size of the impact the Theses had. This is significant as the Theses greatly resonated in the workers which led to the Bolsheviks gaining their support. -
Return of Lenin from Exile
This image depicts Lenin being well received by the public. This was chosen because it depicts how the Bolsheviks had began to amass support. This is significant because the rise in Bolshevik popularity reflected public discontent with inefficiency of the Prov. Gov -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets Meet
This image displays a session of the Congress. The collection of people from various political parties shows a great amount of cooperation. It also collapsed after a short time. This collapse was significant because it demonstrated how quickly the Bolsheviks started consolidated power. -
July Days
This image depicts the chaos of the demonstrations of soldiers, protestors, rioters, and civilians. This was a demonstration against the Prov Gov. This is significant as it exacerbated general mistrust and support against the Prov Gov. The use of violence to suppress the rioters signaled the Prov Gov's intention to remain in the war. Thus, the Prov Gov alienated themselves and support greatly diminished. Note: July 16-20 (1917) -
Kornilov Affair (Aug 27-Sept 13, 1917)
This image depicts General Kornilov being greeted by his officers. Kornilov, believing he acted for the best interests of his people, attempted to turn Russian troops against Kerensky/Prov Gov in a military coup (and failed) . His actions are significant because they give insight to the state of Russia: the Prov Gov's increasing unpopularity and the increase in Bol/soviet power. Kornilov's desire to establish martial law, in effect, revealed just how influential socialists were becoming. -
Trotsky Organizes the Red Guard to Defend Petrograd
This image shows Trotsky addressing the newly formed Red Guard, the Workers' Militia. Under Trotsky, the Red Guard were to protect soviet power. The willingness of the workers, peasants, and other civilians clearly conveyed their discontentment towards the Prov Gov and battle for power among elites. It also demonstrated Trotsky's influence and the significance of his leadership to increasing support for the Bolsheviks -
Bolsheviks Overthrow the Prov Gov + Take Control
The image is of the people storming the Winter Palace. The crowd is seen eagerly hoisting up the man with the red flag to crown their victory. The event is significant as it is a culmination of the people's frsutrations and efforts against the Prov Gov. It also marks the Bolshevik's seizure of power. This is one of the biggest catalysts during that year which caused them to solidify their grip on power. -
Cheka Formed
This picture illustrates the Cheka taking over a man's house. This is significant because the formation of the Cheka and legalization of terror allowed for these consequences to occur. The Cheka reigned over Russia's citizens and killed thousands of people if they didn't follow the regime. -
Constituent Assembly Meets + is Disbanded
The image advertises the constituent assembly and its benefits. It shows how the constituent assembly will aid those who were oppressed. This image is significant because of the change that followed as it failed to uphold its promises. The Bolshevik's losing the election caused Lenin to disband the assembly. This disbandment is significant as it illustrates the beginning of a dictatorship. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
This map illustrates the terms of the treaty and the land lost by Russia. The land lost is significant because of the consequences that followed. Many Russian's resented the treaty and Bolshevik opposition increased due to this. Bolshevik opposition increasing is significant as it helped cause the Russian Civil War. -
Wartime Communism Created
The picture is an illustration of citizens of Russia eating their horses. This picture is significant because it illustrates the consequences of war communism. War communism created the famine of 1921 because peasants were not planting crops. The picture illustrates how dire the famine was and how it affected the citizens of Russia. -
Red Terror
The picture is an anti-Bolshevik poster from 1919. This poster is significant because it illustrates the perspective of the anti-Bolshevik and the consequences that the Bolshevik's are bringing to Russia. The picture is from Germany. This is significant as it illustrates the widespread impact the red terror had and how the red terror also affected the international community. -
Kolchak Begins Serious Attacks Against Reds from Siberia
The image depicts Kolchak in front of the white army. This picture is significant as it illustrates Kolchak's power/influence. -
Ukraine Brought Under Soviet Control
The Ukrainian Bolsheviks had defeated the national government in Kyiv and became a founding republic for the Soviet Union. This picture is significant because it highlights the power of the Soviet soldiers. -
Poles Move Toward Kiev
This picture illustrates the Kiev expansion. This was when Poland tries to take over the areas of Ukraine that were under Russian control. This picture is significant as it shows the mass weaponry entering Kiev at this time. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
This image depicts the Polish effort to defend Warsaw from the Soviets. This image was chosen to underscore the Polish perspective of the battle which is commonly overlooked in favor of the Russian perspective. The image is significant because it demonstrates the persisting rejection of communism and Lenin's idea of international revolution. -
Tambov Rebellion
The image is the order given to soldiers to gas the rebels in Tambov. This order is significant because it was the first time a state had every intentionally gassed their own people. The violent nature of this act exemplifies the need for terror in order to maintain bolshevik power during the war communism era. -
Kronstadt Uprising
The image demonstrates a piece of bolshevik propaganda intended to demonize the sailors rebelling at Kronstadt by depicting them as members of the white army. This image was included due to the insight provided into the promoted perspective of the sailors as traitors to communism despite their significant contributions to the Bolshevik consolidation of power and their support of far-left ideals. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
The image is a poster encouraging farmers to increase production to strengthen the economy. This poster demonstrates how because of the rebellions and economic failures of war communism, there was a consequential shift in the economy and the attitude toward the peasantry. -
Treaty of Rapollo
The political cartoon contains figures representing Germany, Russia, and the arc. The cartoon was chosen to represent the treaty of rapallo as it provides significant insight into the development of relations between Germany and Russia. From the Russian perspective, as nations excluded from western European diplomacy, there was potential for a strong economic relationship. It shows Germany slipping concessions out of russia's pocket as they were allowed to build their military. -
Formation of Soviet Union
The image was selected as it signifies the cooperative act of forming the soviet union. Lenin had previously announced his worries regarding maintaining a communist state surrounded by capitalist nations. The formation of the soviet union was significant as it symbolized the rise of communism within Eastern Europe and the growing strength and influence of the Bolsheviks. -
Lenin's Death
This painting was chosen because it depicts Lenin's funeral. The depiction is significant because the event and attendance of his death signifies the exchange of power within the Soviet Union from Lenin to Stalin and the political shifts that followed.