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Russo-Japanese War
The Russians fought Japan for power of Korea and Manchuria. Japan crushed Russian troops and almost defeated an entire Russian fleet. In 1905 the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed saying Japan had gained control of Korea and parts of Manchuria. -
Bloody Sunday
Organized by an orthodox priest, a riot in St. Petersburg protesters marched to the Tsar's winter palace demanding shorter hours and better wages. The cause of this was military disasters and years of oppression. They held holy icons and chanted songs and prayers. The Tsar fled his place and called in soldiers, the soldiers opened fire and hundreds died. This was a turning point for the Russians. -
The Revolution of 1905
Bloody Sunday caused disputes and strikes all over Russia. In cities, the government was overthrown, in the countryside peasants demanded land. This lead to Nicholas in the October Manifesto promising the people, "Freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly, and union." He then declared a Duma. -
Russia Joins WW1
Russia was fueled by pride and nationalism. They were quickly hurt, Russian resources were low. Very little material was available, no rifles, or ammunition, By 1915 casualties reached 2 million. -
Grigory Rasputin
The Tsar left his domestic affairs to his wife, Alexandra. However, she relied on the advice of Grigory. He was an illiterate peasant and a "Holy man". He had healed Alexandra's son that is why she trusted in him so much. She believed he had miraculous powers. Because of all his influence the government felt weak and he was killed by Russian nobles. -
February + March Revolution
Workers on strike roamed the streets of St. Petersburg because of food and fuel shortages, and disasters on the battlefield. They chanted 'Bread! Bread!' The March and November Revolutions are known to Russians as the February and October Revolutions because Russia in 1917 still used an old calender. -
Abdication of the Tsar
Disasters on the battlefield and food and fuel shortages brought the monarchy to a collapse. In St. Petersburg riots fused and workers were going on strikes. Troops didn't fire leaving the government helpless and weak. On the advice of military and political leaders, the Tsar stepped down. -
Russian Civil War
For 3 years the "Reds" (communists) and "Whites" (Tsarist officers) fought eachother in desire to defeat the Bolsheviks. Non-Russian regions joined in, Britain, France, and the USA sent forces in to help the whites. The whites attempted to assassinate Lenin. -
The Death of the Romanovs
Brutality was very common in the Civil War. The communists shot the Tsar and Tsarina and their 5 kids. They did this to prevent them from becoming a rallying symbol for the "Whites". -
Russia ends involvement in WW1
Many defeats, low supplies of food and men lead to the signing of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. By Lenin signing the treaty it offically ended the Russian's participation in World War 1. -
Formation of the USSR
Lenin's communist government created the USSR, better known as the Soviet Union. The constitution created with it was democratic and socialist. The Soviet Union was made up of European and Asian people. The army and secret police were used to enforce its wills. -
Lenin's Death and the Competetion to Replace him
Lenin died at age 54, his death set off a struggle among communist leaders. The competetion to replace him was a battle between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky was a marxist, a very skillful speaker, and an architect of the Bolshevik Revolution. Stalin was a shrewd political operator. Trotsky fled the country and was murdered by one of Stalin's agents.
