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Bloody Sunday
A time of social upheaval. Speaking out against their government, there were worker strikes, some of which saw troops firing into protesting crowds, an event remembered as "Bloody Monday". This revolution eventually led to the Russian Constitution in 1906, and the creation of the State Duma. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke and his wife were killed by assassins in Sarajevo. This is commonly believed to be the start of WWI, as the following actions led European countries against each other in war. A month later, Russian troops mobilize to defend Serbia, which causes Germany to declare war on Russia. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia, abdicates control of Russia, bringing about an end to 300 years of Romanov rule. He did this under pressure from political forces, and the uprising and protests of the Russian citizens, as a result of the February revolutions -
October Revolution
The "October Revolution" led to the adoption of the Russian constitution. The results of this also led to the end of Russia's involvement in the war, as well as the murder of the Tsar and his family, on orders from Lenin. -
Creation of the Soviet Union
Comprising many countries, the Soviet Union was created to unite communist led countries together, to work together under one federation and common government system. The idea was to end conflict, and promote economic development across all the communist countries involved, as well as be a strength to oppose the west. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany invades Russia, breaking a previously non-aggression pact between the two countries. This is often remembered as a folly of the Germans, who despite several early victories, could not sustain a land war in Russia through the winter, and who were ultimately pushed back, with heavy casualties. -
Battle of Berlin
The capture of Berlin by Soviet Forces led to the death of Adolf Hitler, as well as the unconditional surrender of all German forces. This also led to Russia controlling the area that would eventually become known as East Germany. -
The Cold War
The Cold War is a name for what was essentially an arms race between the USSR and the US. It is commonly dated from the signing of the Truman Doctrine, which vowed US support for countries against the USSR, to the Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 -
Death of Stalin
Stalin, who had led the Soviet Party since 1922, suffered a stroke, and then later died in a hospital. This ultimately led to Khrushchev taking control, and the beginning of the "de-Stalinization" of the empire. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw pact was a union of socialist states, to attempt to balance power in the wake of the formation of NATO. The pact started to fall apart in the 1980's, which led to many countries leaving, and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union. -
Sputnik Launched
Sputnik 1 is launched and becomes the first man made satellite. The success of the launch kicks off the "space-race," a conflict between the Soviet Union and the US for supremacy in space. -
Bay of Pigs, Berlin Wall, Cuban Missile Crisis
1961 saw the Bay of Pigs, a thwarted invasion of Cuba, as well as the Cuban missile crisis, which led to threats by the US for Soviets to move missile's they had in Cuba. This year also saw construction of the berlin wall, separating East and West Germany. -
Vietnam War
The fall of Saigon marks the end of the Vietnam war, a war in which Russia had support for North Vietnam. The Paris accords saw an end to American support, and the fall of the city of Saigon proceeded their withdrawal. -
Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Army invades Afghanistan to support the ruling regime which they feared would lose power. -
Collapse of the Soviet Union
The collapse of the Soviet Union came officially in the signing of the Belavezha Accords, but the few years leading up that point saw many nations leaving the USSR and declaring independence for themselves, as well as the collapse of the Berlin Wall. This also marks the end of the Cold War, and the aggression between Russia and the Western countries across the world, as well as the
