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Alexander III Takes Power
When Alexander III became the Czar, he continued to keep the up the Russian autocracy strong. To do this he tried to wipe all revolutionaries by oppressing the people of Russia. This led to a hatred for the Czar and was the first part of the revolutions. -
Russia Is Fourth Ranked Producer Of Steel
By the year 1900, Russia had doubled it's amount of factories. This brought about a larger wealth in Russia. However, with a growing number of factories there came issues. There were bad working conditions and with this came the beginning of work strikes. -
The Split Of The Marxists
The Marxists split into two groups with different opinions on getting to the same goal. They split into the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. The Mensheviks wanted support all working people. The Bolsheviks wanted to only support those willing to sacrifice everything. This was a big step in the power backing the Bolsheviks as they were the majority. Led by Vladimir Lenin. -
The Russo-Japanese War
After the the Russo-Japanese War, Russia and Japan signed agreements over territories in Korea and Manchuria. However, Russia broke the agreement and Japan retaliated by attacking a Russian base at Port Arthur, Manchuria. The people of Russia were unhappy at the government for acting poorly i this situation and started a revolt in the middle of the war. -
Bloody Sunday
On Bloody Sunday 200,000 workers marched on the Winter Palace carrying a petition for better working conditions and an elected national legislature. Nicholas II ordered his generals to shoot into the crowd of people. This resulted in hundreds of deaths and over 1,000 wounded. This a major move against the people of Russia, resulting in a wave of work strikes and violent mobs, until Nicholas II approved the creation of the Duma. -
Russia Joins World War I
Nicholas II made a drastic mistake by allowing Russia to enter WWI. Russia was unprepared for war after just finishing the Russo-Japanese War. Russia lost 4 million soldiers in WWI. This revealed this weakness in having a czarist rule. This only solidified the idea in revolutionaries minds that the rule of the Czar needed to end. -
March Revolution
In March of 1917 over 200,00 workers rushed the streets of Petrograd. The soldiers in the city originally listened to their orders but eventually joined in the rioting. During the March Revolution Nicholas II was forced to abdicate his throne. After taking down the czar a provisional government was set up. However, it wasn't very strong and opened the door for the Bolsheviks. -
The Fall Of The Provisional Government
In order to take the Russians out of WWI, the Germans sent Vladimir Lenin from exile back to Petrograd. In November of 1917 workers suddenly stormed the Winter Palace taking out government officials. This allowed Lenin and the Bolsheviks to take control of Russia and put in place a government that would benefit the working class of Russia. -
Treaty Of Brest-Litovsk
Germany and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk to completely end Russian involvement in WWI. However, in the treaty Russia lost large sections of it's land. This angered many people that Russia lost so much in the deal. This is significant as it is obvious that the people aren't satisfied with even the government they originally supported. -
Russia Civil War
Enemies of the Bolsheviks formed into the White Army. The White Army united under one cause alone, the fall of the Bolsheviks. The Red Army was led by Leon Trotsky, who led the Red Army to crush the opposition. However, the war left Russia extremely weak. This civil war was the first major opposition the Bolsheviks faced when trying to install a socialist government.
