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Reign of Czar Alexander III
Alexander III utilized autocratic rule and held strict control over Russia. He censored all written documents, created a secret police force to monitor schools, and made teachers give thorough reports on each and every student. -
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Reign of Czar Nicholas II
Czar Nicholas II continued the traditions of autocratic rule and had complete control over Russia. During his reign many revolutionaries emerged. In addition, Nicholas was blamed for Russia's losses in the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday, and World War I. His reign came to an end during the March Revolution, leaving Russia leaderless. After his reign there was a great struggle for power as many different revolutionary groups wanted control over Russia. -
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The Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was a war fought between Russia and Japan over land in Korea and Manchuria. The nations had made agreements over the land, which Russia broke, leading to Japan attacking. All of the losses during this war caused Russians to get concerned and many of them began revolting. -
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The Development of the Duma
In October of 1905, Nicholas II approved the creation of the Duma, after he promised more freedom to Russians. The Duma was Russia's first parliament. The first meeting took place in May of 1906. The leaders were moderates who wanted to create a constitutional monarchy. However, the group was dissolved after only 10 weeks because Nicholas II wanted complete control over Russia and its government. Members of the Duma would later return to help run the government after the March Revolution. -
Bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday was when 20,000 workers and their families gathered at the czar's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The workers came in hopes of improving working conditions, receiving more personal freedom, and getting the country an elected legislature. Soldiers fired at the rioters, killing several hundred and wounding over 1,000. The event sparked and outbreak of strikes and violence throughout the nation. It also led to the creation of the Duma, the first legislative assembly in Russia. -
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Russia's Participation in World War I
Russia joined the war in 1914, however the economy and military were unprepared. Germany was way more advanced than Russia and in the first year Russia had lost 4 million soldiers. Supplies dwindled and soldiers struggled. The czar soon stepped down and a provisional government was put in place. They decided to keep Russia in the war. Lenin returned to Russia and soon the Bolsheviks were in control. Lenin signed a treaty to end the fighting in March 1918, which would soon lead to the Civil War. -
The Death of Rasputin
Rasputin was a "holy man" who claimed to have special healing powers. During WWI, Nicholas II went to the war front, leaving his wife, Czarina Alexandra, in charge. Their son fell ill and Rasputin helped him. In return, Alexandra let him have some political control. He put his friends in positions of power and opposed reforms. He was killed in 1916 by a group of nobles, because people feared how much control he was gaining. -
Changing Government
The March Revolution and its aftermath caused Czar Nicholas II to step down. The reign of czars ended, however there was no new government. The leaders of the Duma developed a provisional government led by Alexander Kerensky. Peasants still wanted land, city workers thought more radically, and revolutionaries began forming soviets. Soviets gained a great amount of influence, more than the government in some places. Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917, leading to the rise of the Bolsheviks. -
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The Bolshevik Revolution
In November 1917, workers that called themselves Bolshevik Red Guards stormed the Winter Palace. They imprisoned all leaders of the government and took over the offices. Once in power, Lenin divided farmland among peasants and gave factory workers control over the factories. He also signed a treaty with Germany to stop fighting. However, many people were upset with the terms of the treaty, leading to the civil war. The Red Army (Bolsheviks) won, proving they could both obtain and maintain power. -
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Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War was between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (its opposers). The White Army struggled because it was very disjointed because it was made up of a variety of different people (just wanted Red Army out). The White Army also received aid from countries like the US, but in 1920, the Red Army, led by Leon Trotsky, defeated the White Army. The war left 14 million Russians dead. The war proved that Lenin and the Bolsheviks could maintain control over Russia. -
Establishment of the USSR
In 1922 Russia officially became the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR. The Bolshevik leaders established self-governing-republics throughout the country that all fell under the larger government. These republics were established to suppress the threat nationalism. In addition, the Bolsheviks renamed themselves the Communist Party after Karl Marx's description of communism. The country was soon under the dictatorship of the Communist Party. -
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Stalin's Rise to Power
In 1922, Joseph Stalin became the general secretary for the Communist Party. This allowed him to work behind the scenes. He put his supporters in positions of power so it would help him eventually rise to power. After a great struggle against Trotsky, Stalin officially had control over the Communist Party. He became dictator in 1929. -
Lenin's Death
In 1924, Lenin died after having a series of strokes. A competition for his replacement ensued. The competition was between Leon Trotsky (military leader) and Joseph Stalin. Lenin had issues with both of these men, however they were the two most influential leaders left to rule the Communist Party. -
Leon Trotsky's Exile
In 1929, Leon Trotsky was put into exile. This meant he was no longer a threat to Joseph Stalin or his power. Trotsky was his only true opposer who could have any real impact, so now nothing stood in Stalin's way to fulfill his greatest desires. Stalin could now be the all powerful leader he hoped to be.