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1917 Russian Revolution
V.I. Lenin's Bolsheviks seized control of the government, overthrowing the Tsar, Nicholas II. Thus a democratic centralist government was established. Socialist values in a centralised power. Name was changed to Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. -
End of Russian Civil War
Following five years of fighting between the Red Army, who supported Lenin and the socialist republic, and White Army, who supported capitalism and the monarchy, the Red army prevailed and defeated the white Army. -
Death of Lenin
Lenin's death led to the nation being handed to his successor Joseph Stalin, the General Secretary of the RCP. And who would continue to rule into the 50's -
Stalin's solidification of Power, Cult of Personality
The beginnings of Stalinism and the idea that Russia needs to internally focus on maintaining communism. This time marked the period where Stalin gained firm control of the nation. -
The Great Purge (1936-38)
A time of widespread police surveillance and a purge of government officials, peasants (kulaks) and Red Army took place. Millions were killed, imprisoned, and sent to work in gulags. -
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (Soviet-German Nonaggression pact)
Stated that the two nations would not be belligerent to one another and respect the previous "spheres of influence" established by the German-Soviet Frontier Treaty. This treaty lasted 2 years, until Hitler's surprise attack on Russian forces in Eastern Poland. -
German Invasion of Soviet Union (mid-1941-early 1942)
Under Operation Barbossa, Hitler organised a surprise attack on the Soviet Union, looking to destroy communism. The Nazi forces won significant victories before being pushed back after the Battle of Moscow, and winter counteroffensive. The Eastern Front was the site of some of the largest battles in world history. -
End of World War II
Allied forces and the soviet Union are able to defeat Nazi Germany. Immediately in the aftermath, both America and the Soviet Union realise they are no longer on the same side. Without a common enemy, both superpowers are left with separate views on how the world should run. The U.S supports Western Europe and democracy, while Soviet Union supported the Eastern Satellite states and communism. -
Death of Stalin
Stalin dies and power struggle ensues, with 8 members of the politburo fighting to be the supreme leader. -
Khrushchev's Secret Speech
Khrushchev in front of the 20th congress secretly denounces Stalin and aims for a less repressive government aimed at bettering the lives of the people. Destalinization -
Ouster of Khrushchev
A silent coup takes place that forces Khrushchev to retire and then appoint Leonid Brezhnev as the new leader of the Soviet Union. -
Death of Brezhnev
After Years of Stagnation Brezhnev passes away in 1982, leaving the Soviet Union to Yuri Andropov, who also dies 15 months into office. Thus Gorbachev becomes the new leader of the Soviet Union -
Gorbachev becomes general secretary of CPSU
Gorbachev becomes the leader of the Soviet Union -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
U.S and Soviet Union agree to eliminate long range nuclear missiles and implement more nuclear inspections. -
Revolutions of 1989 (Fall of the wall)
In 1989 many central and Eastern Europe countries denounced communism and resulted in the end of communist rule in many of the soviet union satellite states. -
Election of Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin is elected president of the Russian Federation, days after the fall of the Soviet Union.