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The Decembrist Revolt
The Decembrist Revolt was the unsuccessful attempt of a small group of nobles to overthrow the czarist government which was led at the time by Czar Nicholas I. Their rebellion was quickly crushed by the czar, and though hundreds were exiled to Siberea for participating in the Revolt, the Decembrists became heroes to later generations. -
Czar Alexander II Emancipates the Serfs
Alexander II, the new czar of Russia, chose to emancipate the serfs, giving them select political rights and allowing them to keep thier homes and tools. However, the serfs had to buy their own land, and most peasants still lived in terrible poverty. -
Nicholas II Becomes Czar of Russia
When Nicholas II came to power, he had little experience in government. He was the eldest son of Czar Alexander III, and took over the throne from his father. Nicholas II was a family man who enjoyed hunting and fishing, but was not an adequate leader for Russia. He and his family are historically associated with Rasputin. -
The Social-Democratic Labor Party split into two groups, the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks.
The Mensheviks were known as the "Whites" and consisted of the upper and middle class. They supported a Provisional or Czarist Russia, and the United States supported this group with finanial aid. The Bolsheviks were known as te "Reds" and were led by Trotsky and Lenin. They had a powerful army and the support of the Russian peasants. -
The Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese war lasted from February 8, 1904 to September 5, 1905. Ultimately, the war resulteed in a stunning defeat for Russia and only increased economic hardships within the country. -
Bloody Sunday
Thousands of unarmed Russian citizens joined a young priest named Father Gapon in a peaceful protest with the purpose of petitioning for better working conditions and political freedoms. As the group moved toward the palace, soldiers appeared and shot over 100 of the marchers, severely wounding hundreds more. -
The Revolution of 1905
Riots and strikes swept across the city and the houses of landowners were looted and burned to the ground. This Revolution was sparked by the horrific events of Bloody Sunday. In an attempt to end the violence, Czar Nicholas II set up an elected assembl called the Duma, which would attempt to create numerous unsuccessful reforms. -
World War I (Russian Involvement)
On July 28, when World War I began, Russia entered the war on the side of the Allied Powers, along with the United Kingdom and France. The war raged on until November 11, 1918, at which point it was ended with the signing of several armistices and ceacefire agreements. The Allied Forces, including Russia, successfully won the war after years of fighting the Axis Powers, which were led by Germany. -
Alexander Kerensky becomes the leader of the Provisional Government in Russia.
Alexander Kerensky established a provisional government in Russia, however, after the fall of the czarist government, this leadership had little power. The Bolsheviks began gaining support and power under the provisional government, and Kerensky responded by ordering Vladimir Lenin to be arrested. -
Nicholas II Abdicates the Russian Throne
Shortly after the provisional government began taking control of Russia, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate his throne and step down from his government position of power. Because of this, Nicholas II would be the last Russian czar and signify the end of czarist rule in Russia. -
Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks capture Winter Palace
In opposition to the provisional government at the time, Vladimir Lenin led a group of Bolsheviks to storm Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The palace was surrendered to the Bolsheviks easily and without much resistance. -
The Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War officially began in November 1917, and was fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the Menshevik White Army. The most devestation from the war would occur from 1918 to 1921. The Bolshevik Army would go on to win the war in 1921. -
Nicholas II and his Family are Executed
The executions of Nicholas II and his family occured at what they thought was to be a family portrait session. After posing for a picture, soldiers entered and proceeded to shoot the czar and is entire family. -
Vladimir Lenin dies and Josef Stalin Becomes Leader of the Soviet Union
Vladimir Lenin died at age 54 from a series of strokes. Millions visited his tomb and the city of Petrograd was renamed Leningrad in is honor. After his death, Joseph Stalin assumed the role of leadership in the Soviet Union, after beating out Trotsky, his main challenger for authority.
