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Reign of Czar Alexander III (1881-1894)
Alexander III succeeded his father, Alexander II, and halted all reforms in Russia. He ruled Russia as an autocracy, an absolute form of government. Alexander III's style of ruling helped lead to the conditions in Russia that caused the Bolshevik Revolution. -
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Reign of Czar Nicholas II (1894-1917)
Czar Nicholas II continued the tradition of Russian autocracy. leading to the Russian Revolution. As a result, Nicholas was blinded from the changing conditions of his times. Nicholas's ruling style helped cause the eventual Bolshevik Revolution. -
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Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)
Russia and Japan competed for control of Manchuria. News of repeated Russian losses sparked unrest and led to revolt. The war was also seen as a proof of weakness. The war also added to Czar Nicholas' negative reputation. -
Establishment of the Duma
Nicholas approved the creation of the Duma, Russia's first parliament, after Bloody Sunday. Nicholas created the parliament in order to appease the people of Russia. Its leaders were moderates that wanted to create a constitutional monarchy. After 10 weeks, Nicholas disbanded it showing that he did not wish to share power. -
Bloody Sunday
200,000 workers and their families approached the Winter Palace with a petition for the czar. The workers were protesting for better working and living conditions as well as the creation of a parliament.. Soldiers fired into the crowd killing hundreds. The massacre led to a decreased reputation for the czar. -
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Russia's Participation in WWI
Nicholas II chose to bring Russia into World War I leading to many defeats and millions of deaths. Nicholas moved to warfront in order to lead his soldiers during the war. Nicholas is blamed for the fact that Russia did so badly during the war leading to unrest in Russia. His wife, Czarina Alexandra, ruled in his stead. Czarina Alexandra ignored her advisers and fell under the influence of the mysterious Rasputin. This angered the nobility of Russia. -
Death of Rasputin
Rasputin was able to ease the czar's son's symptoms from a life-threatening disease. Rasputin was allowed to make key political decisions by the czarina. With his influence, Rasputin opposed many reform measures. The nobility were upset that the Tsar allowed Rasputin to have so much power. Eventually, Rasputin was murdered by nobles that feared his increasing role in the government. -
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Bolshevik Revolution (1917-1920)
Lenin and the Bolsheviks (Communists) gained control of the soviets, political councils, in many major Russian cities. Bolshevik Red Guard took over government offices and arrested leaders of the provisional government. Lenin made peace with the Central Powers and distributed land to the peasants. The Bolsheviks would eventually go on to create the Soviet Union. -
Abdication of Czar Nicholas II est. of Provisional Government
After the March Revolution, Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the throne. The leaders of the Duma established the provisional government, or temporary government. Their decision to continue fighting WW1 cost them the support of soldiers and civilians. The Provisional Government's weak position allowed the Bolsheviks to seize power. -
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Civil War (1918-1920)
The opponents of the Bolsheviks were the White Army. They were made up of those who supported the czar, those who wanted a democratic government, and even socialists who opposed Lenin's version of socialism. The groups barely cooperated with each other. The revolution leader Leon Trotsky commanded the Bolshevik Red Army. Several Western nations sent aid to the White Army during the civil war but it was of no use. The Bolsheviks were victorious and went on to create the Soviet Union. -
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Stalin's Rise to Power
In 1922, as general secretary of the Communist Party, Stalin worked behind to move his supporters into positions of power and take control of the Communist Party. By 1928, Stalin had complete control of the Communist Party. His control over the party allowed him to oust his rivals and become the leader of the Soviet Union. -
Establishment of USSR
Lenin organized Russia into several self-governing republics under the central government. The country was named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), from the councils that
helped launch the Bolshevik Revolution. The Bolsheviks renamed their party as the Communist Party. In 1924, the Communists created a constitution in which the Communist Party held all the power. -
Lenin's Death
In 1922, Lenin had a stroke, his growing illness lead to great competition for who was going to become the new leader of the USSR. The two most notable competitors were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. In 1924, Lenin died. Before his death, Lenin believed that Stalin was a dangerous man and did not want him to become the new leader. -
Leon Trotsky's Exile
Trotsky, Stalin's main rival, was forced into exile in 1929. After Trotsky's exile, Stalin was now able to have absolute power over the USSR, as a dictator.
