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The October Manifesto and Revolution of 1905
The Revolution of 1905 in Russia led to the issuance of the October Manifesto, granting civil liberties and establishing the Duma, the first Russian parliament. We chose this picture because it best displays the document of the October Manifesto -
Beginning of WWI
World War I started in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, escalating into a global conflict among European powers. We chose this picture to allow a viewer to see the person who was assassinated and eventually had an effect on the beginning of WW1 -
Czar Nicholas II Takes Sole Control of Military Operations
In 1915, amidst World War I, Tsar Nicholas II assumed direct command of the Russian military, worsening its challenges and undermining public trust in the monarchy. We chose this picture because it best displays the Tsar at the time and allows viewers to create a better picture of what type of man he was. -
Brusilov Offensive
Russian military campaign in WWI (1916) led by General Brusilov, aimed to weaken Central Powers but ended with heavy casualties and no decisive victory. We chose to use this picture because it portrays the world war 1 breakthrough on the eastern front. -
Assassination of Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin, a controversial figure close to the Russian royal family, was killed in 1916 due to concerns about his influence, further destabilizing the monarchy and contributing to the 1917 revolution. We chose this picture because it best displays who was assassinated. -
International Women’s Day March in Petrograd
The March 1917 protest in Petrograd by Russian women demanding food and peace during World War I sparked the Russian Revolution, leading to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime. We chose this picture because it best displays what the riots for more rights and better working conditions for the women looked like. -
Nicholas II Abdicates
Tsar Nicholas II's abdication in March 1917 marked the end of the Romanov dynasty's rule and accelerated the collapse of the Russian Empire amid widespread discontent and revolutionary activity. We chose this image because it best displays how big that piece of news was in the past that The New York Times has to publish something on it. -
Provisional Government formed
Established in March 1917 after Nicholas II's abdication, the Provisional Government aimed to transition Russia to a constitutional monarchy, led by liberal politicians until a constituent assembly could be convened. We chose this picture because it best displays the members of the provisional government at that time. -
April Theses published
Lenin's April 1917 directives called for overthrowing the Provisional Government, transferring power to Soviets, and establishing a socialist state, profoundly shaping the Russian Revolution. We chose this picture because it best displays how many people had something to say to Lenin whether it was for the cause or against. -
Trotsky organizes Red Guard
Trotsky organized armed Red Guard (Oct 1917) to protect Bolshevik-controlled Petrograd before October Revolution. This image shows the successes of Leon Trotsky and his implementation of the Red Guards. -
Return of Lenin from exile
Lenin's return to Russia in April 1917, facilitated by Germany, marked a turning point, as he led the Bolshevik Party's strategy, culminating in the October Revolution. We chose this image because if best displays how many people valued Lenin and the many who opposed him. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets:
Convened in June 1917, this congress united soviet representatives across Russia, debating key issues and laying the groundwork for Soviet power establishment. We chose this picture because it displays what the meetings looked like, allowing people to see what the meeting really looked like. -
July Days
Political unrest in Petrograd (July 1917) with protests and divisions within the revolutionary movement. We chose this picture because it accurately depicts the utter chaos and tensions in Petrograd during these few days in July 1917. -
Kornilov Affair
Failed coup attempt (August 1917) by General Kornilov to establish military dictatorship, weakening Provisional Government and boosting Bolshevik support. We chose this picture because it shows General Kornilov and his attempt to gain power through military force. -
Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government
Bolshevik Party, led by Lenin, seized power (Oct 1917) and established Soviet rule. We chose this image because it shows Lenin giving orders to his army to seize power to establish the soviet union. -
Cheka formed
We chose this image because it shows the symbol of the Cheka. This badge is the representation of the Cheka Secret police which was an important aspect of the revolution. -
Constituent Assembly meets and disbanded
Elected Assembly (Jan 1918) convened briefly before being dissolved by Bolsheviks, deepening political divisions. We chose this picture because this shows one of the only meeting of this Assembly before being diminished by the Bolshevik power. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
March 1918 treaty ending Russia's involvement in WWI, resulted in significant territorial losses to Central Powers. We chose this picture because it shows Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary cooperating to develop the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk -
Kolchak begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
The Spring Offensive of the Russian Army was an offensive of the White Army of the White movement led by Alexander Kolchak on the Eastern Front of the Russian Civil War, between March and April 1919. This photo was chosen to show the battlefield of the offensive. -
Red Terror
Period of intense political repression (1918-1922) by Bolshevik government, targeting opposition through executions and harsh measures. We chose this picture because it shows the violent methods and mass executions in Russia, and is called 'Red Terror" due to the amount of bloodshed and killings during this time period. -
Wartime Communism
Policy during Russian Civil War involving nationalization, requisitioning, and strict resource control to support the war effort. We chose this picture because it shows the success of wartime communism, however, it also has negative effects on the people. -
Poles move toward Kiev
By July 1919 Poland had succeeded in the Polish-Kiev war, in 1920 this became the Polish-Soviet War. This image selected is meant to depict the state of the cities at the time of the conflict. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
In the battle of Warsaw from August 12–25 1920, the Red Army attacked Warsaw and Modilin forces. The image shown depicts the battleground of this historic battle. -
The Tambov Rebellion
From October 1920 to 1922, the best-organized peasant rebellion in history commenced. It challenged the Bolshevik government during the Russian Civil War. The image selected depicts the scope of the rebellion and its outreach. -
Kronstadt uprising
During the first half of March in 1921, Russian navy members in the port city of Kronstadt mutinied. The image featured shows the sailors in their mutiny. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
Wartime Communism ended on 21 March 1921, with the beginning of the New Economic Policy, which lasted until 1928. This image shown is an excerpt of a newspaper discussing the transition to the New Economic Policy, which, featured more capitalistic characteristics. -
Treaty of Rapallo
On April 16, 1922, during the Genoa Conference, the treaty was signed by Germany and Italy to recognize Soviet Russia. The image shown depicts these world leaders coming to agreements on their recognition of Lenin's U.S.S.R -
Ukraine brought under Soviet control
The Ukrainian Bolsheviks took control of the government on December 30th, 1922. This image depicts the land Lenin managed to take during this event. -
Formation of Soviet Union
The beginning of a new era for Russia, one that would last for nearly a century, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed on December 30, 1922, led by Lenin. The image shown is a Russian infographic which states the historical event of the Union's formation. -
Lenin dies
After somehow surviving multiple strokes and gunshots, one last stroke led Lenin to his untimely death, he was mourned heavily by his fellow revolutionaries in office. Lenin can be seen in this image in his casket.