Russian History Timeline

  • Revolution of 1905 and the October Manifesto

    This is a picture of the 1905 Revolution that's been colored. It shows the violence and haphazard nature of spontaneous revolutions. It starts on January 22, 1905.
  • Start of World War 1

    This map shows the borders and alignments of various countries in Europe at the start of WW1. It helps to how just how large the war was on a geographic scale.
  • Tsar Nicholas II Takes Sole Control of Military Operations

    This picture shows Tsar Nicholas II surveying some of the troops now under his command. It is part of others that show him as an active leader, trying to be there for his men (even if he was a terrible commander and administrator).
  • Brusilov Offensive

    Russian attack against the central powers. Known for being one of the most violent, large-scale, and lethal events of WWI.
  • Cheka formed

    Lenin formed the Cheka as a secret police for the Bolshevik government – the Cheka served as a way to suppress opposition and maintain soviet power. They were given authority to execute and jail opposition.
  • Assassination of Rasputin

    There are no photos and little evidence of the assassination of Rasputin, so unfortunately this photo of him before he died is the best there is.
  • International Women's Day March in Petrograd

    This is a photo of the International Women's Day March in Petrograd on the day of the start of the March. This is a photo from before it expanded even further and became more violent.
  • Formation of the Provisional Government

    This picture shows a large chunk of the Provisional Government. It shows that, even with Russia in turmoil and the Bolsheviks trying to overthrow them, the other political parties can cooperate civilly to at least try to get things done.
  • Nicholas II Abdicates

    This photo is the Russian version of the manifesto of abdication of (former) Tsar Nicholas II calling on people to fulfill their duty to Russia and bring victory to the country. It ends with a plea of assistance to God.
  • Return of Lenin from Exile

    This painting depicts Lenin getting off the train from Germany in Petrograd. Stalin was not actually there despite his depiction behind Lenin. While slightly inaccurate Lenin did get a very warm welcome back from a large crowd. It goes to show how, even if he was going to be absolutely horrible for the Russian people he was still very popular beforehand.
  • April Theses are Published

    This is the picture of a modern English translation of Lenin's April Theses as a book. It represents the preservation of Bolshevik ideals both during the rise and fall of the Bolsheviks and even in the modern day to a lesser extent.
  • First All-Russian Congress of Soviets

    This is a photo of a session of the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets. This represents that, even though the Bolsheviks keep consistently working towards a revolution, literally everyone else (except the anarchists for obvious reasons) keeps trying to peacefully work with the Provisional Government to rebuild and build up Russia.
  • July Days

    A period of unrest in Petrograd that held many demonstrations by soldiers, industrial workers, sailors, etc. Ran from July 16th - July 20th, 1917.
  • Kornilov Affair

    Russian military coup attempted by General Lavr Kornilov. Led against the Russian Provisional government. The coup failed, and Kornilov was removed from his position as commander-in-chief.
  • Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd

    Trotsky assembled the Red Guard with the intent of protecting Petrograd after the attempted military coup.
  • Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control

    Through a combination of both deliberate manipulation and armed military forces, the Provisional Government was overthrown – and in its place, the Bolsheviks rose to take power in a new, communistic style of government.
  • Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded

    The Constituent Assembly – an elected body put into place by the provisional government – met in order to establish a new constitution for Russia. During the meeting, the Cheka forced the assembly to disband through armed threat.
  • Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

    The Treaty of Brest Litovsk was a treaty signed between Russia and Germany – although, it was never ratified. It involved major territorial and military consequences, and was primarily focused on ending conflicts during the raging war.
  • Wartime Communism created

    War communism was implemented in Russia in order to obtain more economical control and to ensure that the Red army was provided with sufficient resources – however, the introduction of Wartime Communism ultimately resulted in famine and other issues, prompting protests, strikes, and general unrest from the community.
  • Red Terror

    The Red Terror was a Bolshevik campaign of executions, political oppression, and suppression of opposition carried out by the Cheka. The Red Terror had one purpose – to root out and eliminate any opposition to the Soviet Bolshevik government.
  • Kolchak (one of the White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia

    Kolchak (one of the White leaders) begins serious attacks against Reds from Siberia
    The image provided is of none other than Alexander Kolchak.
  • Poles move toward Kiev

    Poles move toward Kiev
    This photo displays Polish soldiers walking through Kiev, believing that they were successful, only to shortly be repelled some time later.
  • Tambov Rebellion

    Tambov Rebellion
    This image is used to portray the sheer amount of death and destruction caused by the Tambov rebellion, displaying the dangers of keeping citizens unchecked and dissatisfied.
  • Soviets attempt to take Warsaw

    Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
    This image displays the Polish army's preparation for the attack on Warsaw, with a massacre on the Red Army drawing near.
  • Kronstadt Uprising

    Kronstadt Uprising
    This image is used to display how those behind the Kronstadt Uprising, unlike those involved in the Tambov Rising, were heavily armed and fully prepared for a large-scale revolt. This posed a danger to the newly born Soviet Russia, especially due to it having the heroes responsible for Soviet Russia's creation being the ones intended on revolting against it.
  • Ending of Wartime Communism

    This image is used to display how during the lifespan of Wartime Communism, it was used as an excuse for soldiers to forcefully steal grain and other crops produced by farmers, encouraging them to only grow enough for themselves and nobody else. This system inevitably would result in revolution, based on the fact that force was completely necessary to ensure that the taking of grain was done successfully.
  • Treaty of Rapallo

    This image is used to display the political figures involved in the creation of this agreement between Germany and Soviet Russia, being Joseph Wirth (chancellor of Germany at the time), Leonid Krasin, Georgi Chicherin, and Adolph Joffe.
  • Ukraine brought under Soviet control

    Ukraine brought under Soviet control
    This image is used to display the nations Soviet Russia controlled during its lifespan.
  • Formation of the Soviet Union

    The image is used to display the flag that united the members of the USSR and how they were all controlled by the Bolsheviks.
  • Lenin dies

    This image is a photo of Vladimir Lenin, being the first significant leader of the Soviet Union and having a massive impact on it.