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Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto
An uprising to convince Tsar Nicholas II to attempt to transform the Russian government from an autocracy to a constitutional monarchy due to the October Manifesto - a document issued by Tsar Nicholas II at the height of the 1905 revolution - which promised both social and political reforms specifically allowing the State Duma to participate in the government. I chose this photo because it showed people of all social standings banding together to fight for the same cause. -
Beginning of WWI
Due to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand - archduke of Austria-Hungary - by the Serbian nationalist military group, Black Hand, the major European military powers felt propelled for the war. It was mainly due to the main four aspects of Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. I chose this photo because it showcased the trenches which is where the majority of the war was taking place. -
Czar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations
Tsar Nicholas II took control because he believed that his army would feel inspired and would fight with restored strength. I chose this picture because it shows Tsar Nicholas II being in the field where the war was taking place. -
Brusilov Offensive
Commanded by General Aleksey Brusilov, the outnumbered Russian military took large advancements among the Austrian front line, causing Germany to focus on Eastern warfronts with abandonment of its own offensives and French success in Verdun. I chose this picture as it depicts Russian advancements to the West into Austria. -
Assassination of Rasputin
Rasputin was assassinated by Russian nobles who were eager to end his influence regarding the Tsar’s family. I chose the picture because Rasputin looks close to what he did when he died. -
Provisional Government formed
The Provisional Government was formed because it was set up to maintain essential government services, however, its power was very limited due to the Petrograd Soviet’s authority growing. I chose this picture because this was the picture of the provisional government. -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
Women - workers and wives of workers - joined in a mass strike in Petrograd demanding both peach and proper rations of bread. I chose this picture because it shows all the women collectively together while protesting. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Tsar Nicholas II lost his support and weakened his leadership due to the Petrograd demonstration which led to his abdication. I chose this picture because it was a common picture representing Nicholas II abdication. -
April Theses published
Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik leader returning from Russian exile, delivered a speech to develop into 10 written points which discussed hopes for the Russian future with a defeat of the Provisional Government. I chose this picture because it involves Lenin speaking in Petrograd in April of 1917. -
Return of Lenin from exile
The German government helped Lenin return to Russia as they were at war with them, and they wanted him to wreak havoc into the country. I chose this picture because it showed Lenin returning back with a crowd of people there seeing him. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
Representatives from and by the lower classes met as a Congress to develop new standards for Russia politically, socially, and economically, especially relating to the temporary Provisional Government and WWI. I chose this picture as it is the Congress in session. -
July Days
Unsatisfied workers and soldiers charged the streets with armed demonstrations against the Russian government. They demanded power for the Soviet of Workers’, Soldiers’, and Peasants’ Deputies. I chose this picture as it shows the chaos caused by the demonstrations. -
Kornilov Affair
Led by General Lavr Kornilov, the Russian military turned against the Provisional Government and went towards Petrograd by train, while the Petrograd Soviet shut down railroads around Petrograd. This ended the coup before it began.
I chose this picture as it depicts Kornilov’s army surrendering weapons. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
The Red Guard involved armed factory workers with very little training. Trotsky reemerged the Red Guard’s power in the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government with new Bolshevik powers.
I chose this picture as it represents the Red Guard’s background as they pose at a factory in Petrograd. -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government
During the October Revolution, Bolshevik powers aligned workers and soldiers to attack the Provisional government. Their power resided in confidence and trust gained by previous unity such as against the Kornilov Affair. I chose this picture as it emphasizes Bolshevik leadership with the red and unity throughout. It also depicts victory with Lenin’s stance. -
Cheka formed
The Cheka was part of the Soviet secret police organizations, in which Felix Dzerzhinsky led. It was made as a small agency to investigate threats to the new regime.
I chose this picture as it shows the members of the Cheka. -
Wartime Communism created
It was created to combat the economic problems brought on by the civil war in Russia. They believed that workers had too much control as it caused inflation due to an overflow of products made.
I chose this picture because it showcases the workers being monitored because they did not have much freedom. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The Constituent Assembly met to discuss selecting a chairman. They then discovered that their meeting place was being guarded as a result of the Congress of Soviets shutting them down.
I chose this picture because it shows the protests that happened right before they dissolved. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
This was a peace treaty between the new Bolshevik government of Russia and the Central Powers, and it ended Russia's participation in World War I.
I chose this picture because it shows Grigori Sokolnikov signing the treaty. -
Red Terror
It was a Bolshevik-ordered campaign after an assassination attempt on Vladimir Lenin. It was carried out by the Cheka.
I chose this picture because it portrays the violence and fear behind this campaign. -
Kolchak (one of the White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
Alexander Kolchak had control of the White Armies in early 1919, and on March 4th, 1919, he started offensive attacks on the Siberian Reds on the Eastern Front during the Russian civil war during March and April.
I chose this picture because it shows the route the White armies took to cause the Red armies to retreat and their move to Moscow. -
Poles move toward Kiev (Kiev Offensive/Expedition)
Led by Józef Piłsudski, the Kiev Offensive took place involving mostly Polish but also Ukrainian soldiers against the Red Army. Piłsudski decided to go on the offensive because he considered the Whites as a non-threat, and he deemed the Reds as weak and led by incompetent leaders. The Soviets were forced to retreat.
I chose a picture of Piłsudski because he orchestrated the offensive and intimated the Soviet opposition. -
Tambov Revolution
The Tambov Rebellion was caused by the famine from the Red Terror which resulted in angry peasants who refused to give up their food and violently reacted to the Reds. In Tambov, the biggest revolt occurred but was forcefully ended by the Red Army who reacted with violence, like poison gas.
I chose the picture of the spread of the Tambov Rebellion to illustrate its impact on the surrounding areas, showing the growing discontent in the people. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw (Battle of Warsaw)
In response to the Kiev Offensive, the Red Army went after Warsaw starting August 12th, and their success in capturing Polish towns led to a response by Piłsudski. Piłsudski’s army’s victories in the counter-offensive led to the Peace/Treaty of Riga which ended the Polish-Soviet War.
I chose the picture to demonstrate the effects of the Battle of Warsaw, and the Treaty of Riga, on Eastern Europe. -
Kronstadt Uprising
In response to the Bolshevik’s treatment and the effects of War Communism, the Soviet sailors and rebels insurrected against the Bolshevik Government. Lenin suppressed the revolt and the regime’s demands (reduction of Bolshevik power, economic freedom for peasants and workers, etc).
I chose this picture because it’s a poster of support for the Kronstadt Rebellion and it illustrates the power and support of the sailors and rebels against the Bolshevik Government. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
The end of Wartime Communism was credited to the Kronstadt Rebellion and the Tambov Rebellion with the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) by Lenin, although Trotsky did not support this.
I chose this picture to demonstrate the results of Wartime Communism and illustrate the harsh conditions that peasants and workers faced because of it. -
Treaty of Rapallo
The Treaty of Rapallo ended all territorial and financial claims between the two nations and allowed for friendly diplomatic relationships. It allowed military cooperation, like allowing Germany to produce weapons in Russia, which let Germany avoid the Treaty of Versailles’ conditions and Germany’s later growth in strength and power.
I chose the cartoon above because it illustrates how Germany was able to escape the Treaty of Versailles because of the Treaty of Rapallo. -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
In order for Ukraine to be independent and have more freedom, Ukraine became a part of the Soviet Union and joined the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). This was also because during the Russian Revolution, Ukraine's land became part of the Soviets.
I chose this picture because it shows why and how Ukraine and the Soviet Union joined, through their land. -
Formation of Soviet Union
After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Russian and Transcaucasian Soviet Federated States and the Ukrainian and Belorussian Soviet Socialist States united to establish the U.S.S.R. in late 1922.
I chose this picture to demonstrate the different states in the USSR and the territories within. -
Lenin's Death
At the age of 54, Lenin died due to a brain hemorrhage and his body was embalmed. His death led to the rise of Stalin as the leader of the Soviet Union and committed to Marxism-Leninism.
I chose the picture of Lenin because it illustrates his death.
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