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Russia Industrializes
(1863-1900) Russia industrialized rapidly, bringing about new problems. There was a major growth of factories which brought about grueling working conditions, low wages, and child labor. This event made workers unhappy with their living standards and as a result, revolutionary movements began to grow and compete for power. -
Czars Continue Autocratic Rule
Like his grandfather, Nicholas I, Alexander III clung to autocracy, and he imposed strict censorship codes on published materials and written documents, carefully watched schools and individuals, and sent political Prisoners to Serbia. He also oppressed other national groups within Russia and persecuted Jews. This led to people petitioning for better working conditions and more personal freedoms. -
The Russo-Japanese War
In the late 1800’s Russia and Japan fought for control of Korea and Manchuria. The two nations signed an agreement over the territories but Russia broke them, so Japan attacked them at Port Arthur Manchuria in February 1904. When news broke of Russia’s losses, this sparked unrest at home and revolt in the middle of war. -
Bloody Sunday
22,000 workers and their families approached the czar's winter palace with a petition asking for better working conditions and more personal freedoms. Nicholas ll’s generals ordered soldiers to fire on the crowd and more than 1,000 people were wounded and several hundred were killed. This event provoked a major uproar of strikes and violence across the country. -
WW1
In 1914 Nicholas ll made the decision to enter WW1, however the Russian army was no match for the German Army, so in 1915 Nicholas moved his headquarters to the front lines. While he was gone he left his wife in charge of the government and her bad judgement led to lack of supplies and inflated prices. These events caused an uproar of people demanding an end to the war. -
The March Revolution
In March of 1917, women textile workers led a citywide strike where riots flared up over shortages of bread and fuel. At first soldiers obeyed orders to shoot the protesters but ended up siding with them. This event proves how badly the government was being run, and even sparked soldiers to join the revolt against autocracy and the war. -
The Czar Steps Down
The March Revolution forced Czar Nicholas ll to give up the throne, the czar came to an end but there was no strong form of government to take its place. A provisional government was established and Alexander Kerensky led the government, however he decided to continue the fight in WW1 and as the war went on conditions in Russia worsened. Soldiers and Civilians were displeased with these events and this led to groups of Soviets competing for power. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Lenin and the Bolsheviks took over the government and in March 1918 Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The treaty resulted in Russia surrendering a large part of territory to Germany and its’ allies. Russians were humiliated by the terms of this treaty and this caused even more resentment and anger among the people. -
Civil War in Russia
In 1918-1920 the Bolsheviks faced civil unrest and their opponents formed the White Army which was made up of groups who supported the return of the czar, those who wanted a democratic government, and socialists who opposed Lenin’s version of socialism. The Revolution was very deadly and millions of Russians died. Russia was in chaos but the Bolsheviks prevailed and this event made people realize that the government was strong and able to maintain power. -
Lenin Restores Order
In March 1921, Lenin resulted to a small-scale version of capitalism called the New Economic Policy. The government let peasants sell their surplus crops, and while the government still controlled major industries and banks it let some small businesses operate on their own, and foreign investment was also encouraged. This event restored Russia’s farms and factories and finally gave the people the changes they were asking for.
