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The Great Northern War
The Great Northern War was fought from 1700 to 1721. Basically, it was a war between Sweden's kingdom and a Russian alliance. At the time, Sweden had power over the Baltic region and was dominant. So, Peter the Great led a coalition of countries against Sweden. After a few victories, Sweden was defeated and their empire was ended. The policy of westernization had been a success, now with Russa becoming the leading power. -
The Decembrist Revolt
A group of Russian officers and nobles led a group of about 3,000 people on the Senate Square in Saint Petersburg, protesting Nicholas' gain of the throne. Nicholas quickly stopped the revolt and had 5 men executed and many more sent to Siberia. The Decemberists failed, they stood as a inspiration to the next generations that would revolt. Then, Nicholas became strict. He banned books that could possibly contain liberal ideas and had secret police spy on students, teachers, and government. -
Czar Alexander II Emancipates the Serfs
The Crimean War lasted for two years, and the people were tired of war. Serfs revolted against their landowners and burnt their houses. After the war, Russia was down in the dumps. So, Alexander II decided to reform. One of the most important was him emancipating the serfs. Millions of people were free and Russia was temporarily healed. -
The Assassination of Alexander II
Many long years of autocratic power had made the people of Russia unhapy, especially the educated. Revolts had occured, protesting about the czar and his rule. Eventually, the people were so upset and they threw a bomb under the czar's carriage. The czar was assassinated. This event produced violence, until nationalist Alexander III - the cazr's son- took over and calmed the revolutionary activity. -
The Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan experieced a few years of competition for land. Tension grew between the countries and Japan decided to have a surprise torpedo attack against Russia. Thats had signaled war. Japan was very successful throughout the war. In September of 1905, Russia signed the treaty of Portsmouth. Japan got the Liaodong Peninsula like they wanted. Otherwise, the treaty was pretty equal. -
The Revolution of 1905
Discontent with the government and unrest had spread throughout the Russian Empire. The people wanted a constitutional monarchy and no more autocracy. Acrivity began in December of 1904, but is said to have started in late January of 1905. Workers went on strike. Peasants were angry, and talk of overthrow spread throughout the military. If one word could describe 1905, it would be revoution. In October Czar Nicholas signed manifesto, guaranteeing civil liberties and creating The First Duma. -
World War I (Russian Involvement)
World War I had begun, and Russia wanted to contol the Black Sea area and Constantinople. Germany and Hungary-Austria would not let this happen. France and Russia had been close partners, so Germany declared war on France in August, war had begun. The Russians did not want to be involved in the war and revolted in March of 1917. Four days after, Nicholas II abbdicated.The Bolshevik Party took over and signed a treaty with Germany. Russia had to give up Poland and Baltic Sea territory to Germany. -
Bloody Sunday
In northern Ireland, civil rights supporters were shot by soldiers in the British Army. 14 were killed, and 13 were injured. Then, many started to suport the Irish Army because they favored violence on the UK so they would withdraw from Ireland. This stayed as an arguing point for many decades, until 2010 when the Saville Report proclaimed that the victims did not pose a threat and the soldiers shooting was unnecessary. -
The March Revolution
During WWI, almost 100,000 textile workers protested about the shortage of fuel and bread. By the end of the week, 400,000 people had joined. The czar banned protesting and sent soldiers out to shoot the protesters. Instead, they shot the officers and joined too. The czar was worried and eventually abbdicated. His family was put on house arrest and later executed. Meanwhile, some members of the Duma set up a temporary government. -
Czar Nicholas II Abdicates the Throne
In March, two revolutions occured because of anger towards the government and erupted in Petroguard. Angry crowds protested about war and little food. Soldiers were sent to control the group, but most joined in. People overthrew czarist officials, and a week after the riots, Nicholas gave up the throne. The Provisional government served as a temporary. But, the new government obtained little power. Still, more riots were organized with the Soviets, who would soon lead the Bolshevik Revolution.
