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Period: to
Centuries of Autocratic Rule by Czars
An autocracy is a system of government in which supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person.This was Russia's government system for a while. -
Nicholas II becomes Czar of Russia
This was when Nicholas II became Czar of Russia. He was a staunch defender of autocracy. -
Dissatisfied workers organize strike
Even though there were growing factories in Russia, there were very child, harsh work conditions, and low wages. To demonstrate that the workers were upset with these factors, they started strikes against the government. This lead to a group that followed the words of Karl Marx and started the Marxist revolutionaries who planned to overthrow the czar. -
Lenin returns to Russia
Vladimir Lenin returns back to Russia after being exiled. Even though he left for Western Europe not long afterwards. -
Revolutionary movements begin and compete for power
The Marxist revolutionaries then split into two groups, the Mensheviks who wanted popular support of the revolution and the Bolsheviks who were willing to sacrifice everything for a change. The leader of the Bolsheviks was every powerful but later fled to western Europe to escape arrest. -
Revolution of 1905 - Bloody Sunday
In January 1905, a wave of strikes hit St. Petersburg. In one protest, more than 100 marchers were killed, and several hundred were wounded. -
Russia loses War with Japan
The reason this war started was for dominance in Korea and Manchuria. It ended after Japan won several decisive battles over Russia. -
Russia enters WWI
Austria-Hungary initiated war with Serbia. Then, Russia (being Serbia's ally) began assembling its military forces to protect Serbia. -
March Revolution
The March Revolution was a Revolution based around St. Petersburg. Then, in the chaos, members of the Imperial parliament or Duma assumed control of the country, forming the Russian Provisional Government. -
Provisional Government is Established
After the Czar's government Collapsed. The Duma decided to put in a provisional government, led by Alexander Kerensky. This government never really ruled. -
Czar Nicholas Abdicates the Throne
Czar Nicholas was forced to abdicate due to strikes and revolts in what is now St. Petersburg. -
Period: to
Civil War between Red and White armies
This was a civil war in Russia between the Red White armies. The Red army consisted of communists, and the White army was against communism. -
Bolshevik Revolution topples Provisional Government.
The Bolshevik party, led Vladimir Lenin, and the workers' Soviets revolted against the Provisional government. -
Bolsheviks change their name to Communist Party
The Bolshevik Party changed their name to Communist Party. That was all. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ends Russia’s involvement in WWI
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty between the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers. This treaty ended Russia's part in WWI. -
Lenin establishes New Economic Policy
Lenin put aside his plans state-controlled economy and then created a miniature version of capitalism. This let peasants to sell their crops instead of giving them to the government. Plus, this new plan let small factories, businesses, and farms operate under private ownership. -
Russia is organized into several self-governing republics
Since the Bolshevik leaders saw nationalism as a threat. Vladimir Lenin set Russia into several self governing republics under the central government. -
Lenin suffers a stroke
This was the first of three strokes that led to his death. He died about a year and a half later. -
Stalin becomes Dictator
This was when Joseph Stalin became dictator of Russia. This happened right after Vladimir Lenin died.
