The Russian Revolution

Bloody Sunday

Jan 22, 1905

What started as a peaceful protest, led to the Tsar's troops opening fire on the crowd, resulting in thirteen people's deaths and national outrage.

Outbreak of World War 1

Apr 10, 1914

Through Russian involvement in the war, the Tsarist regime was only more heavily scrutinized because of the weakened economy and mass death that occurred.

February Revolution

Mar 8, 1917

The February Revolution was a successful attempt to overthrow Tsar Nicholas II. Through initial protest that escalated into violence, the provisional government was created.

Lenin Returns to Russia

Apr 16, 1917

The leader of the Bolshevik Party, Vladimir Lenin, returns to Russia following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and his previous exile in Switzerland.

October Revolution

Oct 25, 1917

The October Revolution was an event where the Bolsheviks, led by newly returned leader Lenin, seized the capital of Russia at the time, Petrograd, overthrew the weak Provisional Government, and established the Soviet Union.

Civil War

Nov 7, 1917

The Russian Civil War was the breakout of war between two sides, the Bolshevik Red Army, led by Lenin, and the Anti-Bolshevik White Army, with multiple leaders.

Treaty of Brest-Livosk

Mar 3, 1918

In March, during the height of the civil war, the Bolshevik government made a deal with Germany to withdraw Russia from the war, with the premise that Russia must cede mass territory to the Germans.

Formation of the Soviet Union

Dec 30, 1922

Now that the civil war was over, the Bolsheviks had free reign to consolidate power and formally establish the state of the Soviet Union.