-
Russia launches its first offensive against Germany
15 million men were mobilized during the war. Farms and industry were hurt because the men working them were made to fight during the war. -
Period: to
Complete devistation leaves Russia "ripe for a revolution"
Lenin makes a secret return to Russia admist the fighting of WWI. He then makes his speech known as the April Theses pointing out the flaws of the provisional government and calling upon the people to revolt for a new government. -
Abdication of Nicholas II
NIcholas II can no longer control Russia and abdicates the throne for himself and his son after only one day of being asked. Was the last step needed for Lenin to start the revolution -
Lenin Returns to Russia and delivers the April Theses
Lenin returned to Russia by train with the help of Germans. After the abdication of Alexander II, he gave his April Theses saying "the streets were ripe for a revolution" and promising "peace, land, and bread' to the population. -
Bolsheviks gain control of Russia
Communist Party now rules. Decrees and laws passed, removed Russia from the war, turned to a socialist government. -
Period: to
Lenin rules Russia
-
1st 'free' elections are held in Russia
Bolsheviks won only 168 of 703 seats so Lenin dismissed them within 24 hours and another election would not happen under the Bolsheviks -
WWI ends in Russia
They had a massive army, upwards of 5 million soldiers, but only 4.6 million guns that shot on average of 5 shots per day. The jobs that the soldiers had once held were filled by unskilled men or women which devastated production all around. -
Formation of Cheka
Extraordinary Comission to Combat Counterrevolution
complete autonomy and could carry out searches, arrests, and death sentences as they felt necessary -
Red Terror
At the suggestion of Stalin, the Cheka begins an initative against socialists that would leave more than 800 dead without a trial. -
General Secretary post is created
Stalin is chosen as the General Secretary and begins to slowly gain power as Lenin's health declines -
USSR is established
Lenin needed a way to unite everyone -
Lenin passes Stalin gains control
Lenin passed away from complications of a series of strokes. Before his weakening, Lenin attempted to put his right hand man, Trotsky into place to gain power, but Trotsky refused. This would leave the window open for Stalin to gain power and would be the death of Trotsky -
Period: to
Stalin Reign
-
Period: to
First Five Year Plan
-
Period: to
Purges
Stalin began the Purges in order to wipe out any threats to him or his rule. He wiped out a large majority of the Communist Party, government officials, peasants, military leaders, and anyone deemed questionable by his research. This was thought to stem from his great paranoia and would lead to problems after his passing. -
Japan and Russia sign a non-agression pact
-
Period: to
WWII
WWII started out to be a devistating war in Russia and had it not been for the weather, it is highly debated if Russia could have defeaded the German forces. -
Yalta Conference
-
Potsdam Conference
-
Stalin passes
-
Period: to
Khrushev holds power
