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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
The revolution of 1905 was a large movement of political unrest directed at the tsar, leading to the constitutional reforms of the October manifesto. The October Manifesto was a document of political and social reforms made by the tsarist regime for the purpose of preventing an overthrow of the government. The picture was chosen because it is a picture of the October manifesto, showing the prowess and actual policy that happened, making it the best choice of representation for this event. -
Beginning of WWI
European powers competed for who could have the strongest army, economy, be the most technologically advanced, and have the most political power. The militarism and nationalism led to war between serbia and austria, causing all of europe to be at war. This picture is of soldiers of WW1 in a trench. This picture was chosen because it shows how world war I was much different than any war before in terms of how deadly it was, the change in style of warfare, and the new technology and weapons used -
Tsar Nicholas II take sole control of military operations
Took control of the military in order to have upfront and personal control and involvement with the military. In his absence, corruption of the tsarist government grew through Rasputin's growing influence over the Tsaritsa. Picture of tsar Nicholas II, including his military medals, showing how he took control of the military during WWI in Russia. -
Assassination of Rasputin
Rasputin was a self proclaimed holy man and mystic who was believed to have healing powers. After befriending the Russian royal family, nobles murder Rasputin to end his influence and power in Russian government. Picture of Rasputin's corpse. Showing how brutally he was killed proves the hatred Russian nobles felt towards him due to his influence in the corrupted tsarist government. -
Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov Offensive was a major Russian offensive in the southwest of the eastern front. It is considered to be the biggest Victory of the Entente and Russia, resulting in breaking through the Central power’s lines, and halting the attack on Verdun. It was also the most lethal with 500,000 to 1,000,000 casualties. It is considered a major factor in the collapse of the Russian army. The picture is the territorial gain of the Russians at the end, depicting how the front had changed. -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
Women were angry after poor living conditions such as lack of food, crowded living areas, poor pay and bad working conditions, all as an effect of Russia's involvement in world war 1. Protested the tsar and living conditions, joined by soldiers and forced the Tsar to resign. Picture from international women's day march. Shows just how many women were involved in the march, including the signs included in their protest. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Nicholas II gave up leadership during February revolution and WWI, giving in to his brother who also gave it up, leading to the provisional government and Petrograd soviet taking power. Start of dual government, considered victory for February revolution. Picture of newspaper depicting information on abdication on tsar. -
Provisional Government Formed
Formed from Nicholas II abdicating, formed by the state duma. At first Russian citizens liked the new government and were hopeful, but then came to have the same issues as tsarism, lasted in power from March-October 1917. Picture of the war cabinet of the provisional government -
Return of Lenin from exile
Leader of the Bolsheviks, returned upon the abdication of tsar Nicholas II. returned to power in Bolsheviks who had majority in Petrograd soviet. Spread the ideas of “peace, land, bread” along with furthering his communist ideas. Propaganda poster stating Lenin lived, Lenin lives, Lenin will live. Shows influence of Lenin on Russian people. -
April Theses published
10 directions from Vladimir Lenin on the subject of soviet controlling state power. The document was aimed at other Bolsheviks, document contained Lenin's ideas on the future of Russia. Picture of Lenin surrounded by Russian citizens shows the support he had for the cause. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
First meeting dominated by pro government parties such as social revolutionaries, and confirmed the provisional government as the official governing body of Russia. Picture of first meeting of Russian congress of soviets represents the historic event, as it focuses on the event itself. -
July Days
Unrest and Protests in the capital of Petrograd due to the Provisional Governments continuation of WWI. The unrest was also stoked by Bolshevik propaganda. The Provisional government then suppressed the unrest/ Protests and imprisoned Bolshevik leaders (Trotsky) and Lenin fled to Finland. The Picture depicts the provisional government firing marine guns at protesters in Petrograd as example of the brutality of the Provisional government and the protests that made up the July days. -
Kornilov Affair
The Kornilov Affair was an attempted military coup d’état in August 1917 lead by the commander-in-chief of the Russian army Kornilov aimed at overthrowing the Dual Government. The Coup failed after large amounts of Kornilov’s troops defected or deserted, before reaching Petrograd. The picture shows General Kornilov with the Russian army this depicts how Kornilov was a important figure in the military showing how his coup attempt was a major failing of the provisional government. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
Due to fears that Kornilov would march on Petrograd in August 1917 Kerensky had released Trotsky to arm and organize the defense of Petrograd. Soviets also sabotaged Kornilov’s forces and lead to mass desertion. The Coup was ended mostly bloodlessly resulting in the empowerment of the Soviet and Lenin’s return to Petrograd. This image emphasis how Trotsky organized the opposition to Kornilov and how the red guard and Trotsky played a significant role in its failure. -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
The Bolshevik Revolution was the Bolshevik Coup d’état which overthrew the Provisional Government and established Bolshevik control of Russia. The Bolsheviks began seizing government buildings and Soldiers and Sailors of the Russian military rose up in support of the Bolsheviks. This began the Russian civil war between the Former Provisionals aligned with the Whites and Bolsheviks or Reds. This image depicts how Lenin used popular support and propaganda to further his goals. -
Cheka formed
The Cheka was a Soviet secret police organization founded in December 1917. The cheka was set up to protect the revolution by attacking class enemies like Bourgeoise and the Clergy. it was used as a tool of repression against political rivals of Lenin and engaged in Mass arrests, Torture, and Executions without trial. This image shows Cheka Leader with Members of the Presidium of the Cheka and the Chekas leadership and how it was used as a political tool to empower its Bolshevik leadership. -
Wartime Communism created
Wartime Communism was an Economic-Political system that banned all private business and centralized all major industry under the central government. The System was introduced to Support the army during the civil war. It also confiscated all agricultural surplus from peasants controlling the food supply. This picture demonstrates how the government used state control of the Economy and the need for agricultural labor during the food shortages of the War communism / Civil war period. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
During the meeting of the Constituent Assembly after the Bolsheviks realized that the Right SRs would not cooperate with Bolshevik Goals, decided to disband the assembly. Leading to the consolidation of power within Bolshevik leaders and the Soviets removing most political opposition. This shows The Seats of the Constituent Assembly and how the Bolsheviks would be dependent or blocked by the SRs if they kept the Constituent Assembly which is a major example of Bolshevik power consolidation. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was the Treaty made by the Bolshevik Government of Russia and the Central Powers in March 1918 resulting in Russia’s exit form WWI. The Treaty resulted in a loss of 30% of its population, 50% of Industrialized land, 89% of its coal and much of its Iron and Oil Resources. This Shows the Territory lost in total along with concessions and how much land was conceded by the Soviets. Along with the extent the russian army collapsed preventing Central powers advancement. -
Red Terror
An Era of Political repression against political dissidence in soviet Russia During the Russian Civil war. Intended to remove all political dissent opposition to Bolshevik power. The Cheka was mainly used to suppress opposition from political rivals, Workers, and peasants. This image shows how the Russian people view the cheka as a brutal form of state oppression and depicts an extra judicial killing which was a common method of repression used by the cheka as a part of the Red Terror. -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
After losing Ukraine in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Bolsheviks launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine on January 6th, 1919. The fighting went on until December of 1922, when Ukraine was mostly under Russian control. This picture represents the Russian troops marching into the Ukrainian state and the stages of battle, but how the outcome is likely of Bolshevik victory. This also plays into historic context as it continues the growth of the Russian Empire, and eventual Soviet Union. -
Kolchak (one of the White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
Alexander Kolchak was the overarching commander of the White army. He launched a major attack against the Reds and Moscow from Siberia in March 1919 with support of the Czechs. His army made significant advances, with hopes to take over the Volga and Kama rivers. He was also able to capture 150,000 square miles of territory, but by April, was forced to retreat. The picture below shows Kolchak preparing his army for battle and his determination for his attack on the Reds. -
Poles move toward Kiev
The Polish advancement towards Kiev was an attempt to stop the Bolsheviks. Poland and Ukraine agreed to move towards Kiev and use Ukrainian soldiers to help fight the Bolsheviks. Bolshevik forces, however, kept pushing, eventually causing the Poles to retreat in June. The picture chosen is of Polish military in Ukraine, showing the mutuality between them, while exemplifying the methods the Poles had. And it exemplifies the forcefulness of the Poles and their initial march on Kiev. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
The Bolsheviks pushed for further expansion. The Bolsheviks pushed to invade Poland, and attacked Warsaw on August 12th. However, Józef Piłsudski launched an attack, dismantling the Bolshevik Army, forcing them to retreat. The image below is a picture detailing the battle at Warsaw. It emphasizes the defeat the Bolsheviks faced, while painting the Poles in a glorious light. This shows historical context as the only nation that defeated the Soviet Union/ Red Army in combat. -
Tambov Rebellion
The Tambov rebellion was a result of Lenin’s War Communism. The Tambov Rebellion saw Alexander Antonov notice horrible famine striking the peasants and refused to give up grain to Red Army officials, attacking them using Guerilla warfare until June of 1921. The photo is of many of rebels who took part in the rebellion to crush Bolshevik oppression. It emphasizes the motivation behind the rebellion. In historical context, it focuses on the time there was a chance of success for the rebellion. -
Kronstadt uprising
The Kronstadt was a navy opposed to Bolshevik rule, staying in a fortress on Kotlin Island, pushing off Bolshevik armies until they managed to raid the fortress and end the rebellion on March 18th, 1921. This was the last major rebellion against the Bolshevik government, and made officials re-do many policies to prevent another insurrection. This image shows Red Soldiers attempting to invade the Kronstadt base. It represents the fighting and revolution towards the Reds. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
Lenin’s passing of the NEP on March 21st, 1921, saw the end of Wartime Communism. Unpopular with many citizens and peasants it nearly caused another revolution. This was why Lenin passed the NEP and ended Wartime Communism. The picture shows a propaganda piece for the NEP, showing the replacement for War Communism. The passing of the NEP had reluctance by Lenin, but presents him instead introducing the NEP, showing it as the best representation for Lenin’s end to Wartime Communism. -
Treaty of Rapallo
Georgi Chicherin, the minister of foreign affairs, was successful with peace negotiations with Germany, in the Treaty of Rapallo in April, 1922. The Treaty of Rapallo essentially saw the eradication of debts between the two countries, enhance trade relations, and see economic benefits. The image presents the negotiations between Chicherin, Wirth and other officials agreeing on the negotiations and encapsulates the feelings of negotiation and agreements on the issues surrounding the Treaty. -
Formation of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was formed, after Soviet Russia achieved territorial gains during and after the Russian Civil War, including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and many other nations since 1919. It was under the agreement of running as one government to consolidate power. This is the flag of the Soviet Union, and is a significant symbol towards both the Soviet Union and communism in general. It is a reflection of what Lenin was able to achieve and one of the strongest nations in history. -
Lenin Dies
On January 21st, 1924, Lenin suffered from a coma and eventually died. His cause of death was ruled as suffering from blood vessel diseases that were incurable. The public responded with great mourning, and everyone, except Trotsky, attended the funeral. This image shows Lenin’s funeral, and exemplifies the mourning that was felt throughout the country. It also furthered what was the end of rule among one of the most influential communist leaders in history.