Events Leading Up to the Russian Revolution

By bertumon

  • The Great Northern War

    Russia, lead by Peter the Great, fought Sweden lead by Charles XII. By end of war, Russia gained leading power in the Baltic region.

  • Decembrist Revolt

    A small group of nobles and army officers tried overthrowing the czar's government in hopes of creating a monarchy. Czar Nicholas I crushed the uprising quickly by executing the five leaders and sending the others to Siberia.

  • Czar Alexander II Emancipates the Serfs

    Czar Alexander II emancipated/freed the serfs. They gained a few political rights and were now allowed to keep their homes and tools. Most peasants continued to live in much poverty because of debts and high taxes.

  • Assassination of Alexander II

    Alexander II was killed in the streets of St. Petersburg by a bomb that was thrown by a member of the "People's Will Group," a group that was trying to overthrow Russia's Czar Autocracy.

  • The Russo-Japanese War

    This war was caused by a conflict with Japan over Korea and Manchuria War. Russia was defeated and therefore had increased economic hardships at home.

  • Bloody Sunday

    Lead by Father Gapon, thousands of uarmed men, women, and children carried banners with pictures of the czar and his wife. They wanted to protest for better working conditions and more political freedoms and present Czar Nicholas II with a petition. Soldiers fought back and killed and injured hundreds of protesters.

  • The Revolution of 1905

    The Revolution of 1905 was sparked by Bloody Sunday. Riots and strikes began taking place all over cities and the countryside. Czar Nichola II ended te violence by agreeing to set up the Duma, or elected assembly to make other minor reforms.

  • World War I

    In 1945 the Soviet armies helped to free Eastern European nations from German occupation. The peace, however, brought a new threat to the freedom of the Eastern European nations. For almost 50 years the Soviet Union would dminate Eastern Europe.

  • The March Revolution

    Riots and strikes began taking place in Petrograd (the capital). While troops were sent to get rid of the problem, many refused to shoot and joined the revolution.

  • Czar Nicholas II abdicates the Russian throne

    Czar Nicholas II abdicates the throne after riots and strikes erupt in Petrograd. When the news spreads, domonsrators began overthrowing czarist officials and Czar Nicholas II gave up the throne.