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Czars Continue to Autocratic Rule
Alexander III imposed strict censorship codes on published materials, written materials, private letters, and he even enforced "Russian" as the countries language and prohibited minority languages such as schools that spoke Polish. He also made Jews the target of prosecution and sent troops to destroy and tear their homes and shelter apart. This was the first step into communism, and these actions also influenced future leaders. -
Russia Industrializes
Nicholas's Minister wanted to improve Russian industries, so they sought foreign investors and raising taxes, which caused them to be ranked 4th in the heavy industry and their production of steel. They then built a railway that connected European Russia to western Russia. This allowed Russia to transport products from one side of the country to another at a much quicker and more efficient speed. -
Rvolutionary Movement Grows
Because of the severe working conditions and child labor, the people of Russia agreed with Karl Marx's theories and established a proletariat-the workers-to overthrow Czar. From there, they split into two groups; The Menscheviks and Bolsheviks with Lenin as the Bolsheviks leader who ruled from western Europe to avoid being arrested by Czarists. Lenin's determination spread to their whole community which allowed them to achieve their goal in overthrowing the government. -
Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan fought over who would control Korea and Manchuria, so they signed agreements over territories. Russia broke those agreements and Japan fired back with an attack on them. Russia's loss led to a revolt in the midst of the war. -
Bloody Sunday
Workers and peasants were demanding better working conditions, more personal freedoms, and an elected national legislature as they approached Czars Winter Palace, so Nicholas II ordered to fire into the crown of peasants. after more violence and strikes erupted over that matter, Nicholas II created Duma which was Russia's very first parliament that later became a constitutional monarchy. This creation introduced a new form of government and a new way of living for the Russian people. -
WWI: Final Blow
Nicholas II dragged Russia into the war, but they were no match for Germany's machine guns that mowed down Russian troops. His wife took control of the government at this time but soon fell under the influence of Rasputin. When he eased their son's Hemophilia disease, she granted him rights to make powerful political decisions in office. This lead to him being murdered-planned by other government officials who didn't agree with his decisions-which shows what Russia's political status is. -
Bolsheviks In Power
Once in power, Lenin and the Bolsheviks divided the and among the peasants and made peace treaties with Germany to stop fighting. For example, the treaty of Biest-Litovsk required the Russians to surrender part of their territory to Germany, which sparked anger among Russians that made them object the Bolsheviks policies and murder of the royal family. This shows that Russia is not good with new or different changes in government because then everyone tries to make their own decisions. -
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Civil War Rages In Russia
The White Army was created to fight against the Bolsheviks or the "Red Army" because the White Army wanted Czar to return to rule. This was the deadliest civil war in Russia thus far, and the destruction and loss of life from hunger, fighting, and the worldwide flu epidemic left Russia in chaos. This victory from the Red Army shows that the Bolsheviks were strong enough to seize power an even maintain it as well. -
Lenin Restores Order
Lenin returned Russia back to capitalism. He had to keep nationalism in check, so he organized Russia into a self-governing republic under central government. This will eventually become the spark and one of the reasons for the Cold War. -
Stalin Becomes Dictator
He was one of two people chosen to govern the communist party, and his attitude was ruthless; he was cold, hard and impersonal. Lenin tried to warn Russia about how Stalin was a dangerous man, but wen Trotsky was forced to exile, Stalin became dictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin will later become very powerful with millions of deaths on his hands, and he also had many contributions to WWII and the Cold War.