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Bloody Sunday
Russian Orthodox priest Father Gapon led a peaceful protest of 150,000 protesting against food shortages and poor living conditions. The group marched to the Winter Palace to present a petition calling on Nicholas II to help them, but the protesters were fired on by the Tsar's troops, leaving an estimated 100 people dead. The violent reaction to the peaceful protest led to strikes and protests throughout Russia, with many calling for the Tsars abdication. -
Witte meets with the Tsar.
Sergei Witte orders the tsar to either impose military dictatorship, or form a constitutional government. -
October Manifesto is Signed
In response to the Bloody Sunday Massacre, the October Manifesto was created by Nicholas II, in an attempt to quell growing unrest. The manifesto called for a democratically elected legistlative assembly, the Duma. The manifesto also promised land reforms. -
The Peasant's Union meet.
The Peasant's Union meet in Moscow and write out their demands for land distribution and a consitiutional assembly. -
Witte orders crackdown.
Witte orders the army and police to get tough on terrorists, protesters and anti-tsarist press. -
Moscow uprising ends.
Hundreds are killed as Tsarist troops crush the Mosow uprising. -
Vladivostok uprising.
Rebels declare Vladivostok an independent republic after a uprising, but are later crushed by Tsarist forces. -
Fundamental State Laws
A statement released by Tsar Nicholas II, which reasserted his power and removed the October Manifesto's offer of a share of power. These laws meant that the Duma had almost no power in government. -
The first Duma meet.
The first Duma meeting is held in St Petersburg. Liberals are the majority in the Duma, and Socialists such as the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks boycott. -
Second Duma opens.
Socialist representitives such as Social Revolutionaries, Mensheviks and Bolsheviks take part in the Second Duma. -
Third Duma opens.
The Duma is represented mainly by land-owners and conservatives; socialists and liberals make up few numbers. -
Lenin flees Russia.
Lenin returns to excile in Switzerland after being forced out of Russia by Tsarist police. -
Government introduces compulsory education.
The Tsarist Government introduces compulsory primary education, which would be implemented over the next decade. -
Socialist Revolutionaries endorse terrorism and uprisings.
The Fifth Congress of the Socialist Revolutionaries support anti-Tsar terrorism, and uprisings by the peasants. -
The Government outlaws student protests.
The Government attempts to outlaw student protests, a move that is met with university strikes and protests. -
Prime Minister Stolypin is shot.
Russian Prime Minister is shot in the head at the theatre, reportedly by a Police Agent. -
Stolypin Dies.
Prime Minister dies of his injuries after being shot, and the Goverment remains secrative on the deatails of his assassin. -
Vladimir Kokovstoff becomes Prime Minister
Following Stolypin's death, Kokovstoff is appointed as the Prime Minister of Russia. -
The Duma condemn Rasputin.
The Duma condemn Rasputin's political influence and effects on the Royal Family. -
Lena Goldmine Massacre.
After over a month of the Lena Goldmine workers striking for better working conditions, troops fire on the goldminers, killing over 200 of them. -
Fourth Duma opens.
The Fouth Duma was again dominated by conservatives and the wealthy. -
World War 1 Begins.
World War I begins, which leads to food and skill shortages throughout Russia. -
Bolshevik deputies in the Duma are arrested.
Bolshevik deputies in the Duma are arrested, and sentenced to excile in Siberia. -
Tsar takes personal command of the army
The Tsar becomes the commander of the army, and Tsarina Alexandra is placed in control of the Russian government, who is influenced greatly by Rasputin. The Tsar is blamed for the army's failures. -
Liberal-Conservatives in the Duma demand reform.
Liberal-Conservative parties such as the Kadets and Octoberists form an alliance within the Duma, and demand political reform. -
The Tsar temporarily abolishes the Duma.
From the advice of Rasputin and the Tsarina, Tsar Nicholas II abolishes the Duma temporarily. -
12th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday Strikes
Over 140,000 workers strike on the 12th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre. -
Beginning of Feburary Revolution
After the Government announces food rationing, those in the cities fear they will no longer be able to access the already low food stores. -
International Women's Day Strike.
Workers, socialists and women united to strike against the government. -
Soviet Order No. 1
The Petrograd Soviet issue an order stating that military orders were only to be obeyed if the Soviets approved. This weakened the Provisional Government's powers, and showed that the Soviets had the real power over Petrograd. -
Provisional Government recognised.
The Provisional Government is recognised by France and Britain as the official government of Russia. -
The Tsar Abdicates.
With the Duma ordering that the he abdicates, and with no more support from his generals, the Tsar abdicates and the provisional government is given power. The 300 year Romanov Dynasty is ended. -
October Revolution
The Red Guards storm the Winter Palace, and the Bolsheviks take control of Russia. -
Lenin becomes leader.
Lenin takes control of Russia and establishes a Socialist state after the provisional government is overthrown. -
Bolsheviks Take Control of Russia.
Lenin announces that the Bolsheviks are now in control of Russia, and a communist-Soviet government will be established. -
Civil War
The White and Green armies fight against the Bolsheviks. Whilst the groups differed in their ideals and reasons for fighting, all disagreed and were dissapointed with the government's control. -
The Third Congress of Soviets meet.
The Third Congress of Soviets meet, and a new constitution is adopted, and a federation of all active Soviets is created. -
'War Communism' introduced.
War Communism was introduced by the Soviet Economic Comitee, stating that all aspects of social and ecomonic life had to be directed towards the Bolsheviks winning the civil war. -
The Tsar and his family are executed.
The Tsar and his family are executed by Bolsheviks. -
Attempted assassination of Lenin and introduction of 'Red Terror'
Fanny Kaplan attempts to assasinate Lenin, but is unsuccessful. As a result, the government introduces 'Red Terror' which uses miltary force to remove opposition and scrutiny of the government. -
Peasant rebell against War Communism.
Several strikes and rebellions by the peasants occur against the War Communism policy. -
White army commander executed.
Kolchak, the White Army commander, is captured and killed by the Bolsheviks. -
White Army commander is executed.
Kolchak, the White Army commander, is captured and executed by the Bolsheviks. -
Civil War Ends.
Whilst isolated fighting and uprisings continue, major fighting has ended and the war is considered over. -
Kronstadt Uprising Begins.
Rebel sailors establish their own Soviet known as “Soviets without Bolsheviks” and create a list of demands for the government. Later they would declare war against the Soviet regime and vow to fight until the government was overthrown. -
Tenth Party Congress
The Tenth Party Congress is held in Moscow, where Lenin introduces the New Economic Policy in response to the economic crisis, which allowed aspects of state capitalism in Russia,and moved away from communist ideals. -
Kronstadt defeat.
Trotsky and the Red Army invade Kronstadt, and 15,000 fighters surrender. -
Stalin appointed General Secretary of the CPSU
Joseph Stalin is given the role as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union -
Stalin and Lenin's relationship breaks down.
Stalin insults Lenin's wife, and the relationship between the two turns sour. -
Death of Lenin
Following a stroke in March 1923, Lenin passed away and was later placed in a musoleum in the Red Square, Russia.
