-
Rapid Industrialization
The industrialization of Russia drastically changed their economy. Nichola's most capable minister initiated a program to move forward. Rapid industrialization led to dissatisfaction among the people. New problems arose such as; bad working conditions, terribly low wages and child labor. As a result many revolutionary movements began to start and compete for power. -
Alexander III Rule
Alexander III paused all reforms when he came to power. Similar to his grandfather, Nicholas I, he held on to principles of autocracy. Anyone who questioned the czar's authority or did not speak Russian was deemed dangerous. -
Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan competed for the control over Korea and Manchuria. The two nations signed various agreements which Russia would later break. Japan reacted by attacking Russia. News of the Russian losses sparked a revolt. -
Bloody Sunday
On January 22, 1905, 20,000 workers and families approached the czar's winter palace with a petition demanding better working conditions. His generals ordered the soldiers to open fire on the crowd. 1,000 civilians were wounded and hundreds of them were dead. This caused an uproar of strikes and violence -
Russian Involvement in WWI
Nicholas decided to bring Russia into WWI. They quickly realized they were incapable of handling the military and economic costs. Nicholas moved his headquarters to the front line in hopes to rally a win. The czar's wife fell under the influence of the mysterious Rasputin. In the end neither Nicholas or Alexandra proved themselves able to handle big problems -
March Revolution
In March, women textile workers led a citywide strike. In 5 days riots began over the shortage of bread and fuel. Local protests led to an uprising. The soldiers at first abided when told to shoot the rioters but later sided with them. -
Czar steps down
Due to the uprising Czar Nicholas II stepped down from his throne. A year later Nicholas and his family were executed by revolutionaries. The March revolution succeeded in getting rid of the Czar but failed in setting up a strong government to replace it. Soon, Lenin returned to Russia and many thought he and his Bolshevik supporters would stir up conflict. -
Bolshevik revolution
Lenin and the Bolsheviks acquired power of Petrograd and Soviet cities. Those cities rallied "All power to the Soviets". Lenin decided to take action. People known as Bolshevik Red Guards attacked the Palace and took over government offices and arrested officials. With Kerensky gone the czarist regime was finally gone. -
Bolsheviks in Power
Just days after the takeover Lenin ordered that all farmland must be distributed to the poor. Along with that factory workers gained control over their companies. Later, Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The people of Russia were humiliated by the terms, this caused anger among them. -
Civil War in Russia
Now there was a new challenge upon them, enemies at home. The Bolsheviks opponent was the White Army. The White Army consisted of those who wanted a czar, those who wanted a democratic government and those who opposed Lenin's socialism. A civil war broke out and many western nations, including the U.S, supplied the White Army with military aid. In the end the White Army was no match for the Bolsheviks.
