Timeline for Russian Revolution, Civil War, Lenin

Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto

Jan 2, 1905

I chose this photo because it highlights the violence of the 1905 revolution. It gives a visual indicator of the reasoning for the creation of the October Manifesto, which occurred in 10/30/1905.

Beginning of WW1

Jul 28, 1914

The photo depicts Russian men being led into war. This is significant because it highlights the extent that WW1 affected Russian communities, which eventually led to the furtherance of revolutionary ideals in Russia.

Tzar Nicholas II takes sole control of military operations

Aug 30, 1915

This photo displays Tsar Nicholas II, as he poses along the front lines. I chose this photo because it gives physical evidence of his participation within the war. It gives valid evidence towards why he was forced to abdicate.

Brusilov Offensive

Jun 4, 1916

I chose this image because I feel as if it accurately depicts how destructive the offense was. There are many men pictured, scrambling around, depicting how chaotic it was. This photo does a good job showing how threatening the force most likely presented itself to be.

Assassination of Rasputin

Dec 30, 1916

The cartoon illustrates Rasputin sitting on a throne-like chair, surrounded by the Tsar's family. This highlights his effect on the family, showing why nobles feared his influence.

International Women’s Day March in Petrograd

Feb 23, 1917

This photo shows thousands of protesters in the streets of Petrograd. It underlines how important the protest was as shown by the amount of people marching.

Nicholas II Abdicates

Mar 2, 1917

This is a photo of a New York Times article on the abdication of Nicholas II. It is significant as it shows the importance of this event, as countries far away mass reported it to their populations.

Provisional Government formed

Mar 15, 1917

This is a photo of the initial Russian Provisional Government. It is important as it gives a visual representation of the difference between the Tsarist and Provisional government.

April Theses published

Apr 7, 1917

This photo depicts Lenin denouncing the Provisional Government through his April Theses to the masses. This is important as viewers are able to see in influence Lenin had over the Russian population. As well as, the amount of people who believed in the promises written in the Theses.

Trotsky Organizes Red Guard To Defend Petrograd

Apr 14, 1917

This photo displays how obedient and powerful the Red Guard was under Trotsky's creation. As pictured, many men remained loyal under the Bolsheviks.

Return of Lenin from exile

Apr 16, 1917

This image depicts Lenin's reception upon his homecoming, as well as the lower classes' eagerness for to Marxism. This is significant as it shows Lenin's popularity within the Russian population, even when he was exiled.

First All-Russian Congress of Soviet Meets

Jun 16, 1917

This photo accurately demonstrates the meeting of the first all-Russian Congress of soviets meeting. All men line up to discuss. The overwhelming crowd of men depicts how powerful the Russian provisional government was at that moment.

July Days

Jul 16, 1917

This photo show how many soldiers, sailors, and industrial workers that were angered by the Provisional Government during the July days. This photo represents the unity of all the citizens and displays how impactful repression can be within a government, especially in Russia.

Kornilov Affair

Sep 10, 1917

This photo demonstrates how Kornilov had the opportunity to seize power over the provisional government due to the support he had. Although he did not successfully take control over the government, the photo displays how he was a man of power.

Bolsheviks Overthrow The Provisional Government

Nov 8, 1917

This photo demonstrates how forceful and aggressive the Bolsheviks were while they overthrew the provisional government. The photo displays a swarm of men that is menacing, which I feel displays what the transfer of power really looked like.

Cheka Formed

Dec 20, 1917

I chose this photo because it shows how evil the Cheka force was. They found all enemies of Lenin and killed them by torture. This photo demonstrates the terror the Cheka put citizens through.

Constituent Assembly Meets and Is Disbanded

Jan 18, 1918

This photo shows how despite the Bolsheviks not gaining a majority during the Constituent Assembly, they seized power through force. I believe this cartoon adequately shows how the Bolsheviks dissolved the assembly due to the men on the left (with weapons) taking advantage of the surrounding people.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Mar 3, 1918

This photo demonstrates the formal negotiations between Russia and the other countries. What is most impactful about this photo is the distinct split in the middle. The men on either side of the table displays an atmosphere of determined men to end Russia's involvement in the war.

Wartime Communism Created

Mar 21, 1918

While this photo doesn't represent the actual idealisms behind wartime communism, it does show the impacts that the system has on Russian citizens. I chose this photo because it displays how Russian citizens had to go through great amounts of effort just to survive. Food was rationed and it was difficult to get enough food for everyone, which can be implied through the image.

Kolchak begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia

Apr 1, 1918

The image is an example of the harsh and brutal tactics of the White Terror started by Kolchak. The image shows an execution of members of either revolutionaries or socialists, the main groups persecuted in the White Terror.

Red Terror

Sep 2, 1918

The images shows a group of Russian men holding up a propaganda banner that reads "Death to the Bourgeoisie and its lapdogs - Long live the Red Terror."

Poles move to Kiel

Apr 25, 1920

The image is a map displaying the city of Kiel in Germany. This is the city where many Poles left Russia and fled to avoid the tensions of the Soviet movement and the upcoming Russo-Polish war.

Soviets attempt to take Warsaw

Aug 12, 1920

The image highlights the Polish army sending re-enforcements to the front lines of the Russo-Polish War. The Polish army appears weak, yet still defeated the Soviets at the Battle of Warsaw.

Tambov Rebellion

Aug 19, 1920

The image highlights Alexander Antonov and his staff during the Tambov Rebellion. Antonov was a Social Revolutionary and one of the leaders of the rebellion against the Bolsheviks, which became known as the largest and one of the best organized peasant rebellions.

Kronstadt Rebellion

Feb 26, 1921

The image is a map of where Kronstadt was located. The location is significant since Kronstadt was a port city and naval base where many sailors populated.

Ending of Wartime Communism

Mar 21, 1921

This image displays the horrors of the Russian Civil War and the food shortages/famine caused by implementing wartime communism. Many families had to resort to eating each other as there was a lack of food.

Treaty of Rapallo

Apr 16, 1922

The image shows the Chancellor of Germany Joseph Wirth and Leonid Krasin, Georgi Chicherin, and Adolph Joffe from the Russian delegation. This meeting will lead to the signing of the Treaty of Rapallo.

Formation of Soviet Union

Dec 20, 1922

This image in an example of a Soviet Union propaganda poster. The poster displays Lenin at the center, the first leader of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine brought under Soviet Union

Dec 30, 1922

This is an image of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic flag. It is a horizontal bicolor, red over azure, design with a golden hammer and sickle. The flag also displays a gold star on top of a canton. The hammer and sickle signify the Soviet Union.

Lenin dies

Jan 21, 1924

The image depicts Lenin's death at age 53. He suffered a stroke from a brain hemorrhage. Lenin had a history of previous health issues and complications.