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Marxists Revolutionaries Split
Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revolutionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader. -
Japan Attacks
Russia breaks the agreement they had with Japan over Korea and Manchuria. Japan attacks the Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria. -
Workers Killed
200,000 workers and their families approached the Winter Palace to petition and ask for better working conditions, more freedom, and an elected national legislature. Soldiets then shot at the unarmed workers, killingseveral hundred and wounding more than 1,000. This even was named "Bloody Sunday". -
Creation of the Duma
Russia's first parliment, Duma, met in May, 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy. Ther czar was hesitant to share his power, so the Duma dissolved after 10 weeks. -
Russia Dragged into WWI
Nicholas II dragged Russian into world war 1. However, Russia was unprepared for the military and economic costs. THeir troops were no match for the German army. This involvment in WWI revealed the weaknesses of czarist rule and military leadership. -
Textile Workers Lead CIty Wide Strike
200,000 workers swarmed the streets shouting "Down with the autocracy" and "Down with the war". Soldiers originally obeyed their orders to shoot the rioters but later sided with them. -
Winter Palace Stormed
Armed factory workers stormed the Winter Palace without warning, calling themselves the Bolshevik Red Guards. THeyu proceeded to take over the government offices and arrested the leaders of the provisional government. -
Humiliating Treaty
Russia singed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. Russia surrendered a large piece of their territory to Germany and its allies. This triggered widespread anger among the citizens who found the terms of the treaty humiliating. -
Russia's Civil War
THe Bolsheviks now needed to get rid of enemies at home. Their opponents formed the White Army. This army was made of many very different groups, all of which were only united by their desire to defeat the Bolsheviks. This civil war raged from 1918 to 1920. Several western nations including the US sent military aid and forces to the while army, buy they were little help. -
The NEP
Lenin put aside his plas for a state controlled economy and instead resorted to a small-scale version of capitalism calls the New Economic Policy (NEP). These reforms allowed peasants to sell surplus crops as opposed to handing them to the government and also encouraged foreign investment. Under this plan, the country slowly recovered. -
Stalin Gains Power
Lenin's stroke in 1922 set in motion competition for heading up the communist party. One of the most notable men was Joseph Stalin, a cold, hard, and impersonal man. He began his ruthless climb to the head of the government between 1922 and 1927. By 1928, Stalin was in total command fo the communist party. He soon stood poised to wield absolute power as a dictator.
