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1905 revolution
I chose this picture to best illustrate the revolution because it powerfully depicts the events of the 1905 Revolution. The image shows a crowd covered in blood, which not only symbolizes the brutal massacre of protesters but also represents the awakening and rise of the socialist movement. There is a cityscape that highlights industrial development and the growing presence of the proletarian class, emphasizing the role of workers fueling revolutionary sentiment. -
Beginning of WW1
This image illustrates the Russian borders during World War I and the vast amount of territory the country lost. It highlights the enormous impact of the war on Russia, particularly the loss of fertile lands, which caused severe food shortages. Additionally, the displacement of populations added to the suffering and resentment. This image effectively shows why so many Russians were deeply frustrated with their involvement in the war, fueling revolutionary pressures at home. -
3) Czar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations
The image shows Tsar Nicholas seated on his throne, while the Duma and revolutionaries are depicted setting fire to it. I chose this image because it symbolizes how Nicholas’s decision to take personal control of the army during World War I backfired, making him directly responsible for military failures. The burning throne represents not just the collapse of the monarchy, but also how the institutions around him like the Duma contributed to his downfall. -
Brusilov offensive
This image shows Russian troops advancing across no man's land under heavy artillery fire. This image to represent the Brusilov Offensive because it captures Russia's desperate attempt for a victory. Russian forces, despite poor conditions, were pushed to launch massive attacks. Initially, they achieved some success, but it came at a cost, with staggering casualties. The image reflects the reckless human wave tactics, and the sacrifices made during one of Russia's bloodiest campaigns in WWI. -
Rasputin assainations
Grigori Rasputin, a mystic hobo who influenced the Tsar’s family, was murdered by nobles who believed he was corrupting the royal court and damaging the monarchy’s reputation, by them feeding him poisoned food and finally shooting him and putting his blood in the cold water. I chose this image because it perfectly encapsulates the chaotic and conspiratorial nature of his assassination. His violent death reflects the deep divisions and desperation among Russia's -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
A protest led by women demanding bread, better working conditions, and peace. It ignited a series of strikes and demonstrations that contributed to the fall of the Tsar. This image is powerful because it uses the color red to symbolize the role of women as workers and members of the proletarian class. Additionally, the image shows the women breaking a rifle, which represents also the success of their rebellion against oppression. It emphasizes how women were key players. -
Tsar Nicholas II abdicate
Tsar gave up the throne after pressure from the army and political leaders. His abdication marked the end of the Romanov dynasty and the beginning of a provisional government in Russia. I chose this image because it shows the rebels burning down the image of the Tsar, which powerfully represents the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a new government. The act of burning the Tsar’s but also foreshadows the execution of the Tsar himself. also to erase the symbols of autocracy. -
Provisional Government formed
Coat of arms of the Russian Provisional Government -
April Theses published
Lenin spoke his theses in speeches around Russia to gain support. -
Return of Lenin from exile
Lenin is greeted by immense support in Petrograd upon returning from exile. -
July Days
Image of the chaotic streets during the July Days. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets. -
Kornilov Affair
Kornilov greets his officers. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
Elite members of the Red Guard. -
Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
Soldiers marching through Moscow, showing their overtaking of key places -
Cheka Formed
Logo of the Cheka -
Wartime communism created
Photo is of lenin, who was a key figure in the creation of wartime communism. -
Red Terror
Photo is of propaganda supporting the red terror. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
Photo is of a meeting of the constituent assembly, right before it was disbanded. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Photo is of a map showing how much land was lost in the treaty. -
Kolchak begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
Photo is of Admiral Kolchak. -
Ukraine brought under soviet control
Image is of a map of Ukraine at the time. -
Poles Move Toward Kiev
a) In the Polish-Soviet war, Poland decided to ally with the Ukrainian forced and invaded Kiev in order to establish Ukrainian independence from the Soviets. Eventually, the soviets counterattacked the offensive’s brief occupation of Kiev.
b) The photo shows Polish soldiers moving towards Kiev. The people watching from the sideline, the organized march indicate this sort of celebratory nature by the Poles. The army was essentially for the people. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
a) Mikhail Tukhachevsky led the Red Army in order to advance through Warsaw so that they could spread Communism to the west. Though, they were defeated quickly by the Polish in the “Miracle on the Vistula,” which forced the stoppage of Soviet expansionism.
b) The photo shows this sort of melancholic scene, while also highlighting forces that the Red Army had. This serious nature of the photo intensifies the idea of discipline used on the soldiers, encapsulating a lack of morale -
Tambov Rebellion
a) The Tambov Rebellion was highlighted by the need to stop grain requisitioning and harsh policies. Essentially, it was a large peasant uprising within Russia’s Tambov region, but was finally suppressed by the Red Army through the use of chemical weapons and mass executions.
b) The photo highlights the commoner clothing the people of the Tambov rebellion had. The undisciplined body proportions, they were really fighting sort of unprepared. -
Kronstadt Uprising – March 1921
a) The Kronstadt Rebellion was a rebellion made in the Kronstadt naval base by sailors who initially supported the rise of the Bolsheviks in 1917. These sailors demanded freedom and political reforms. Sadly, the rebellion was subdued by the Red Army, signifying Lenin’s need for strict control.
b) The photo highly represents an alignment against the Bolsheviks, where the sailors express no remorse. Rather, they seem proud to go against the Bolsheviks, holding a symbol of death. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
a) Lenin put an end to the “War Communism” policies in order to introduce the New Economic Policy (NEP), which allowed for a regulated free market system in order to improve the economy after extreme rebellions and discontent within Russia.
b) The photo, highlights discontent towards the Red Terror (which was used to requisition grain), many protested against war communism. The photo also shows a great level of poverty created by the policy. -
Treaty of Rapallo
a) Germany and Soviet Russia renounced financial claims against each other and decided to establish some military and economic cooperation – essentially isolating themselves from the west.
b) The photo shows this sort of mutual and friendly agreement between the Russian and German delegates. It really shows how the treaty of Rapallo was a great treaty between the two that reaped benefits for both sides rather than seek claims like the treaty of Brest-Litovsk and even Versailles. -
Formation of the Soviet Union
a) Ukraine merged with Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, as well as Belarus and the Transcaucasian Republic in order to create the USSR, which strengthened Bolshevism.
b) The photo shows this sort of union under Lenin, the many military personnel on the ground clapping for Lenin on a stage really shows the charismatic leadership of Vladimir Lenin. Especially in the context of the Soviet Union forming, the happiness within the scene creates this sense of patriotism. -
Lenin dies
a) Lenin died from multiple strokes, which led to multiple power struggles, leading to the rise of Stalin. Lenin was eventually undermined.
b) The photo shows a picture from the Daily Worker newspaper, likely a newspaper that leans communist. However, the main focus of the photo is the words “LENIN IS DEAD” bolded develops more shock and of course to sell more newspapers. “The Soviet Star of Hope” clearly shows this idea of Lenin as a hero.