Russian Timeline Project

Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto

Jan 22, 1905

The photo pictured accompanying this date is the original October Manifesto (Oct 17, 1905). I chose to include this image because it was was an official end to the unlimited autocratic rule within Russia in response to the Russian Revolution of 1905 and was a major change for the nation as a whole.

Beginning of WWI

Jul 28, 1914

This image depicts a newspaper heading from The Washington Times which marks the beginning of World War One. I chose to include this photo because Austria was the first nation to declare war that began one of the deadliest global conflicts fought in history.

Czar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations

Aug 30, 1915

I chose this image since it depicts Czar Nicholas II taking command of the Eastern Front, relieving Grand Duke Nicholas (also pictures) of the position.

Brusilov Offensive

Jun 4, 1916

The photo chosen displays the drastic move forward during the offensive. The map displays the distance in which Russia moved forward during its attack.

Assassination of Rasputin

Dec 30, 1916

This photo depicts the control Rasputin had over the Czar, which is why his death was so significant to the leadership of the Russian nation.

Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd

1917

This image illustrates Leon Trotsky surrounded with members of the People's Commissar, preparing them to protect Petrograd.

International Women’s Day March in Petrograd

Mar 8, 1917

I chose this image because it displays how large the protest was and therefore how it had the great effects it did, such as sparking the Russian Revolution.

Nicholas II Abdicates

Mar 15, 1917

I chose this photo of a large article from The New York Herald newspaper in order to demonstrate how significant this abdication was for not only Russia but the world as a whole losing a significant leader.

Provisional Government formed

Mar 15, 1917

I chose to include this photo because it depicts the first Provisional Government assembly, that was originally led by Prince Georgy Lvov.

April Theses published

Apr 7, 1917

This image depicts Lenin speaking in front of a focused crowd. I chose this picture to represent this event because the April Theses contributed to the July Days uprising and Bolshevik Coup in October 1917 as it called for Soviet control.

Return of Lenin from exile

Apr 16, 1917

I chose this image because it depicts the power Lenin had over the Russian population, due to the citizens gathering around him as he is standing above them, despite just having returned to Russia, which explains how this loyalty and popularity led to him gaining control of the nation as a whole.

First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets

Jun 16, 1917

This image shows a section of delegates from the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meeting in large numbers, which displays its importance and legitimacy as this organization created laws and elected the Council of People's Commissars.

July Days

Jul 16, 1917

This image displays the mass destruction and the scale of the deaths that occurred. The image displays people lying in the street having being killed or injured when protesting.

Kornilov Affairs

Aug 27, 1917

This photo displays General Lavr Kornilov controlling a military group and illustrates the command and control over people.

Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control

Nov 7, 1917

The image demonstrates soldiers and sailors taking over the Provisional Government during the October Revolutions.

Cheka formed

Dec 20, 1917

The painting displays the Cheka forcefully harming a peasant. The Cheka was know imprisoning and killing peasants that hoarded grain and political opposition.

Wartime Communism

1918

The picture illuminates how during the period of War Communism in Russia, the number of deaths from the Cheka, famine, and disease, led to masses of death.

Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded

Jan 18, 1918

The chart displays the percentage of seats won by each political party, thus illustrating how the Bolshevik party did not win the majority of seats. After losing the election, they forcefully disbanded the assembly.

Treaty of Brest Litovsk

Mar 3, 1918

The image of the map displays how the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk led to massive amount of land loss to the Central Powers.

Red Terror

Sep 2, 1918

The photo illustrates the Cheka riding around the city holding weaponry and threatening the citizens. The terror evoked within the people in Russia for their lives, forced them to comply and not oppose the Communist government.

Kolchak (one of the White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia

1919

The photo depicts the casualties that resulted from Kolchak's attacks on the Reds. Specifically, the image shows casualties in Siberia because his soldiers were mobilized from Siberia.

Soviets Attempt to Take Warsaw

1920

I chose a painting depicting Polish Independence Day because the failure of the Soviets to take Warsaw in August contributed to Polish independence being declared in November.

Poles Move Toward Kiev

Apr 25, 1920

The picture depicts the procession of military officers and soldiers moving out to head to Kiev, showing the support they received from the Poles. Although they were initially able to take the city, they failed to hold it for very long.

Tambov Rebellion

Aug 19, 1920

The picture depicts several peasants arming themselves for the rebellion, showing that the Tambov Rebellion was led by peasants upset about the negative effects of War Communism.

End of Wartime Communism

1921

The picture shows the marches protesting Wartime Communism, which is important because the widespread unrest and backlash from the peasants forced Lenin to alter his War Communism policies.

Kronstadt Uprising

Mar 1, 1921

The image shows Kronstadt's location, as the base's strategic location was important to the causes and effects of the uprising.

Treaty of Rapallo

Apr 16, 1922

The photo depicts the signers of the Treaty of Rapallo being friendly and open with each other, which was only possible because the treaty opened diplomatic relations between the German Republic and Soviet Russia.

Ukraine Brought Under Soviet Control

Dec 30, 1922

The picture shows the founding members of the USSR (red) because Ukraine's status as one of the first member states was a direct consequence of being brought under Soviet control in 1922.

Formation of Soviet Union

Dec 30, 1922

The photos depict the first members of the USSR versus the states that became independent, because the states that founded the USSR needed to agree to join the union.

Lenin Dies

Jan 21, 1924

The picture depicts Lenin's assassination attempt because this attempt on his life ultimately led to the complications that killed him.