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Industrialization
In Russia during this time period the country was falling behind in the modern technology that the Western world was starting to create. To fund this the Russians raised taxes and created the Trans-Siberian railroad which connected European Russia and Western Russia. This created tension in the working class because of the terrible working conditions, extremely low wages, child labor problems, no trade unions, low standard of living, and the working class has little to no political power. -
Alexander III Oppresses the Citizens
In fear of revolution and revolts against the monarchy the czar Alexander III enforced censorship over many documents and even had his secret police overseeing the public schools. Additionally, he began to oppress other nationalities, especially Jews and it fueled hatred of the Jewish culture throughout Russia. The oppression and hatred created due to Alexander III's rule was a perfect breeding ground for anger and resentment towards the autocracy. -
Revolutionary Movements
Due to the strong dislikes of the autocracy a revolutionary group formed by Karl Marx called the proletariat which called for power in the working class. There were two groups, Mensheviks, a broad based group that was fairly popular, and the Bolsheviks, a smaller radical revolutionary groups that were dedicated to their cause. This is what helped to start the mass following of revolutionary groups throughout Russia. -
Bloody Sunday
Around 200,000 workers began to march towards Winter Palace holding a petition for better working conditions and personal freedoms, and upon orders of Nicholas II the soldiers open fired upon the crowd of people, wounding 1,000 and killing several hundred people. There was a huge public outcry which forced Nicholas to create Duma, the first Russian parliament. This gave hope that the government might change, but also fueled the anger and tension in Russia. -
Entering WWI
Russia decided to enter World War I and their military was unprepared and had huge economical costs, many soldiers deserted, and food and money dwindled at home. The weakness of the government was revealed through the losses both economically and militarily. This war really showed the weakness of the government to the working class and further angered the citizens of Russia. -
The March Revolution
It all began with women textile workers in Petrograd going on strike and riots began due to the bread and fuel shortages. Due to the riots around 200,000 people start to riot in order to end the autocracy and even the soldiers joined them. Starts the turmoil and change in government that is to come throughout the country. -
Bolshevik Revolution
Previously, the czar of Russia stepped down and the Duma created a provisional government until a new government could be appointed. However, Bolsheviks formed a coup against the provisional government and stormed the Winter Palace, arresting the government officials, and the leaders of the provisional government fled. This empowered the Bolsheviks moving forward. -
Civil War
Not everyone was happy with the Bolshevik's being in power, so they united and created the White Army to fight the Red Army. The war created a famine, a flu epidemic, and many people died, but in result the Red Army won. The war secured the power of the Bolsheviks and showed that the Bolsheviks were the dominate political power. -
New Economic Policy
Lenin decided that he needed to ease Russia into the communist frame of mind, so instead of confiscating all of the goods they allowed for the selling of surplus crops and small private businesses. This was his New Economic Policy, a small-scale capitalist economy to make it to communism. This kept the working class blind to the inequities may accompany communism. -
Stalin Comes to Power
One day Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party (Recently renamed the Communist party), got a stroke and survived, but allowed for competition for the leadership position. Trotsky and Stalin were both looking to gain power, but Stalin decided to play dirty by placing his supporters in power and inevitably gained full power, exiling his competition, Trotsky. This will lead to further oppression and the need for more revolts and revolutions.
