World War 1 / Russian Revolution 1900-1919

RSDLP Splits into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks

Aug 10, 1903

http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/bolshevik-menshevik-split
This event marked a split in the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party that created two groups competing for power. This first group was the Bolsheviks who were formed by Vladimir Lenin and Alexander Bogdanov and represented the majority of the party. The second group was the Mensheviks who made up a minority and supported Julius Martov.

Bloody Sunday

Jan 9, 1905

A massacre of peaceful protesters in St. Petersberg that started with soldiers firing on peaceful protesters. This event caused societal unrest and turned many citizens against the Czar. This unrest would contribute to the start of the Russian revolution and was used to justify the attacks.

October Manifesto Ends Russian Revolution

Oct 17, 1905

http://www.britannica.com/event/October-Manifesto
Czar Nicholas II created this document which ended the the Revolution in 1905. The document promised new rights for russains which included freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association. The law also stated that laws couldn't be passed without consent of the Russian assembly.

New Russian Constitution Formed

Apr 23, 1906

http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Const.html
The Consitution of 1906 incorporated the changes put forth in the October Manifesto. The document transistioned Russia more towards a constitutional monarchy and reduced the power of the Czar, allowing for later rebellion and overthrow.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Jun 3, 1914

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/assassinationrev1.shtml
This event brought tension between Austria-Hungary and Serbia to a head. Following the assassination, Serbia was given an ultimatum to cede control of their state and surrender. When Serbia didn't comply, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to the start of WWI.

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

http://mentalfloss.com/article/58047/wwi-centennial-austria-hungary-declares-war-serbia
Austria-Hungary declaring war set off a string of treaties and agreemets which lead multiple world powers to get involved in the war. Germany agreedto support Austria-Hungary, but Russia mobilized against Germany and Austra-Hungary. Germany attacked France to get to Russia and Britain sided with France.

Germany Invades Belgium

Aug 3, 1914

http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWbelgiumIN.htm
This invasion led to Great Britain's entrance in the War on the side of France. Germany hoped to attack France through Belgium before heading towards Russia. After Germany invaded nuetral Belgium, Britain and France both declared war.

Lusitania Sunk

May 7, 1915

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi2.htm
This event was one of the factors which led the US to enter the war. More than 100 Americans were killed in the attack and it angerd the US public. It also caused Germany to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare.

Battle of Verdun

Feb 21, 1916

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/battles-of-world-war-one/the-battle-of-verdun/
This battle was fought between French and German armies from February to December. It was the longest battle of the war and had the most casualties. The battle ended in a stalemate but ended up costing 700,000 lives.

Rasputin Murdered

Dec 17, 1916

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/rasputin_stanislaus.htm
Rasputin was assassinated by members of the high aristocracy due to rumors he was Tsarina Alexandria's lover. His death affected Alexandria greatly and weakened the power if the monarchy befor the return of Nicholas II.

Zimmerman Telegram

Jan 19, 1917

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/zimmermann/
This telegram was an attempt at forming a secret alliance between Germany-Mexico against the United States. This was one of the events that led to the US's entrance into the war. When the telegram was oublished in US Newspapers, public opinion about the war shifted.

Germany Resumes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Feb 1, 1917

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/naval-warfare-and-world-war-one/unrestricted-submarine-warfare/
This was the final reason that led the US to enter the war. This policy meant that Germany could sink any and all ships in British water. Wilson's belief in freedom of the sea contributed to the entrance.

February Revolution Begins

Feb 23, 1917

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/march-8-1917-russias-february-revolution-begins-in-st-petersburg/?_r=0\
This revolution led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II. This revoltion empowered soldiers and workers and resulted in the organization of radical legislative bodies which would go ton to rule the provinsional government.

Czar Nicholas II Abdicates

Mar 2, 1917

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/nicholasiiabdication.htm
The abdication of Nicholas II ended the Romanov dynasty and resulted in the creation of a provisional government lead by Alexander Kerensky. This government would allow the Bolsheviks to take over government rule and put Leon Trotsky into power.

US Declares War

Apr 17, 1917

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/wilsonwar.htm
The US entry into the war sealed the fate of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The already weakened powers could not hold their own against the combined power of US and European troops and were forced to take more risks and take greater losses.

July Days Begin

Jul 3, 1917

http://www.britannica.com/event/July-Days
The July days occured whensoldiers and workers rioted against the Russian Provisional Government. The event led to a reduction of Bolshevik power and influence in Russia. The July days were followed later by the October Revolution.

Kornilov Affair

Aug 27, 1917

http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/kornilov-affair/
This planned cup involved Kornilov as well as Kerensky in an attempt to establish a military regime. The coup was not successful but it led to a rise in support for the Bolsheviks who were seen as the heroes of the revolution.

October Revolution

Oct 25, 1917

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/history/russia/october/revision/1/
The revolution resulted in the Bolsheviks siezing power from the Provisional Government. Lenin was established as the head of a the comminist state and his appointment led to new communist practices such as the confiscation of lands and the establishment of a political monopoly.

Winter Palace Taken

Oct 26, 1917

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/bolshevik.htm
The storming of the Winter Palace was the final blow to the monarchy. After Nicholas abdicated, the Winter Palace still stood as a symbol of royal power. The takeover inspired communist revolutionaries and secure the Boleshevik control of the capital.

Start of the Russian Civil War

Nov 7, 1917

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/modern-world-history-1918-to-1980/russia-1900-to-1939/the-russian-civil-war/
The civil war was fought between Russian white armies and the red Bolsheviks. The Bolshevik victory signified a shift in power in favor of the Bolsheviks and led to the communist takeover of Russia.

Woodrow Wilson Issues 14 Points

Jan 8, 1918

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1324.html
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were created to help avoid future wars and keep peace. These points were significant because they would lead to the creation of the League of Nations. The League of Nations would involve multiple countries and allow representatives to discuss conflicts.

German Spring Offensive

Mar 21, 1918

http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/podcasts/voices-of-the-first-world-war/podcast-41-the-german-spring-offensive
The German Spring offensive, was a final push by the Germans to major gains in the war. The result of the failed offensive was the collapse of the German western front. Without a huge victory to turn the tide, the Germans were left to surrender.

Russia Signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Apr 3, 1918

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russia-reaches-armistice-with-the-central-powers
The Brest-Litvosk treaty marked Russia's exit from the World War. The treaty was signed by Lenin in accordance with his promise to bring peace to Russia. The treaty resulted in the forfeit of much of Russia's Western territory.

Second Battle of the Marne

Jul 16, 1918

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/p/secondmarne.htm
This was the first battle that the US fought in overseas. The battle marked a turning point in the war and turned the tide in the war and almost assured an allied victory. The armies were able to stop Germany from taking France and force them to retreat.

Czar Nicholas II and Family Executed

Jul 17, 1918

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/nicholas.htm
This event marked the peak of Bolshevik violence when Nicholas II and his family were executed. With the last of the Russian monarchs dead, the communists had no real claim of opposition

Assasination Attempt on Lenin

Aug 30, 1918

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vladimir-lenin-shot
This attempt was one out of many attempts made against Bolshevik leaders . These attempts led to the Red Terror which resulted in the execution and detainment of communists opponents. During the Red Terror, the government was given unlimited authority and set up labor camps to detain enemies.

Austria-Hungary Surrenders

Nov 3, 1918

http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/618755
With the surrender of Austria-Hungary came the defeat of the a large part of the remaining resistance. This surrender marked the final defeat and would lead to the end of the war and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

World War 1 Ends with Armistice

Nov 11, 1918

http://www.tenfactsabout.co.uk/0002armistice.htm
The Armistice officially ended all fighting on the Western Front. Following the armistice came the collapse of the German Monarchy and an end to fighting. The final result of the armistace was the signing of the treaty of Versailles.

Kaiser Willhelm II Abdicates

Nov 28, 1918

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/abdication.htm
Following defeat, Willhelm abdicates the throne and flees the country. This event ensures that Willhelm will no longer rule over Austria-Hungary and the country will be greatly weakened and mostly dismantled.

Peace Treaty Signed at Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005425
This treaty gave the terms of defeat to Germany and forced them to accept heavy losses. The decisions made during this treaty would destroy Germany's military power and force them to pay huge war reperations. The anger over these punishments would eventually culminate into World War Two when Germany would ignore these conditions and grow back to strength.