Russia

Timeline of Significant Events in Russia

By gustaffysteen

  • Communist Manifesto

    Communist Manifesto
    Marx and Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto and it stirred debate about the ideals of communism, socialism, collective ownerships and the rights of the proletariats. This influenced Lenin and Bolshevik thought.

  • End of Serfdom and Rise of Russian Peasants

    End of Serfdom and Rise of Russian Peasants
    The end of serfdom in the late 1800's led to a large peasant class who faced food shortages, illiteracy, poverty. The strife of the peasant class contributed to the Russian Revolution.

  • Tsar Nicholas II

    Tsar Nicholas II
    Tsar Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until 1917. He was considered a weak and unpopular leader who favored the monarchy over any sort of parliament. He didn't listen to the people and this eroded morale that contributed to both the 1905 and 1917 Russian Revolutions.

  • Russo-Japanese War

    Russo-Japanese War
    Russo-Japanese War from 1904-1905 was the first war lost by a European power to an Asian country. This damaged Russia's reputation, morale and Tsar Nicholas' authority and respect at home.

  • First Russian Revolution

    First Russian Revolution
    After the embarrassing loss in the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian people rose up against Tsar Nicholas and the ruling class in what was the First Russian Revolution. Peasants, military and workers all demanded reform. Tsar Nicholas made some small reforms to remain in power.

  • Duma

    Duma
    In response to the First Russian Revolution, Tsar Nicholas created the Imperial State Duma, an elected legislature. Nicholas wanted to retain his power and created laws that he could dissolve the Duma and also ignore its recommendations. The Russian people were dissatisfied with the Duma, as it didn't bring the change from the Tsar's rule that they thought would happen.

  • World War I

    World War I
    Tsar Nicholas' leadership didn't improve as Russia entered World War I. The military was unprepared and the country was impoverished. Soldiers didn't even have rifles and Russia had many defeats in battle.

  • Lenin

    Lenin
    During World War I, Lenin emerges as a Bolshevik leader very opposed to the war. He wants Russia to withdraw from the war to focus on building a communist state.
    Lenin becomes leader of Russia after The Second Russian Revolution in 1917.

  • Russian Civil War

    Russian Civil War
    The Russian Civil War was fought between multiple parties trying to get control of Russia after the end of the monarchy. The main groups were Lenin's Bolsheviks against the White Army. The civil war led to huge numbers of deaths and ruined the Russian economy

  • The November Revolution

    The November Revolution
    Known as the Second Russian Revolution, unrest against Tsar Nicholas II began in February. He abdicated and power went to Duma. Chaos followed which included strikes, poverty, protests and the Duma was overthrown by Lenin and Bolsheviks