-
Revolution of 1905
The Russian Revolution began with Bloody Sunday, where a peaceful protest took place in front of the Winter Palace protest, however, the Cossacks assigned to the palace opened fire. This sparked more protests and violence in pursuit of criticizing Russia. These protests were in hopes of Transforming the Russian government, especially after the embarrassment of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The picture shows the chaos and violent nature of the start of the revolution -
October Manifesto
Due to public pressure, Tsar Nicholas needed to grant some of the demands placed by Russian Citizens. The October Manifesto was made to grant more freedom in Russia in theory. It promised a Duma, that would serve as a legislative role, the admonishment of censorship in Russia, and the implementation of a strict trial system in the courts. In the short term, The October Manifesto granted political reform, however, this success was short-lived. The picture shows the contentment of citizens. -
Beginning of WWI
The beginning and severity of the war was due to a combination of events. The arms race between Britain and Germany, Germany's increased mobilization and propaganda before the start of the war, the overall rise in nationalism, etc. However, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate trigger for the beginning of the war. It was a catalyst to increase tensions between Serbia and Austria, causing Austria to declare war. Picture shows the initial event that sparked the battle. -
Tsar Nicholas II Takes Sole Control of Military Operations
After numerous defeats, the Russian army was taking extreme casualties at that point in the war. Prior to this, Tsar Nicholas II decided to put himself in charge of command moving forward. There was a lot of concern regarding his decision, seeing as though his reputation does not prove him fit for the role and his lack of experience in battle. Tsar Nicholas II was blamed for the continual losses after this point. The picture shows a visualization of the Russian army during his time in command. -
Brusilov Offensive
This was considered the most successful feat for the Russian army in WW1. The attack on Austria-Hungary was deadly, creating a huge victory for the Triple Entente. There were heavy causalities here as it was remembered among the top deadliest battles. These battles eliminated the offensive powers and drained Russia's military resources. The picture demonstrates Russia's success in slowly moving towards the opposition and engulfing the soldiers. -
Assasination of Rasputin
Rasputin had gained a reputation in Russia as being generally disliked. Rasputin had an intense personality and lived as a peasant until befriending the family of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. After this, he made his way into Tsar Nicholas II's court. After several failed assassinations, he was killed by Russian Nobles to end his influence. His immediate offense leading to death was the firing of several ministers which led to more defeat. The picture shows a painting of his assassination. -
Trotsky Organizes Red Guard to Defend Petrograd
This Guard was composed of paramilitary volunteers like factory workers and peasants protecting Soviet power in Russia. The Bolshevik party used this Guard's creation as a blueprint for how the country was intended to be run, with successful groups popping up all over Russia. This eventually led to the creation of the Red Army, used to defend against the Whites in the Russian Civil War. The picture displays the original group wishing to prove Bolshevik support, defending Petrograd, the capital. -
March International Women's Day in Petrograd
The first International Women's Day consisted of women demonstrating Petrograd which had begun the Russian Revolution of 1917. This massive protest led to more strikes and boycotts in criticism of the Tsar. The female protestor's intensity had grown, as had the protests. The demands consisted of the abolishment of the Tsar's rule, taking Russia out of WWI, and better quality of life in Russia for all citizens, especially women. The picture shows the heart of the protest and slogans. -
Nicholas II abdicates
After Tsar Nicholas II retracted his promise in The October Manifesto, led Russia into defeat in WWI, dismissed the Duma multiple times, and the lack of adequate leadership from the Russian government, Russian citizens were getting increasingly restless. The immediate cause for Tsar Nicholas II's abdication was from public pressure in the Russian Revolution in 1917. The military joined strikers in Petrograd and forced him to abdicate. Eventually, he and his family were assassinated. -
April These Published
Lenin wrote a series of 10 directives with the main intent of asking for Soviet control of Russian power. His idea was that two governments of such heavily contrasting politics could not work in harmony, so one must become more powerful over the other. Lenin asked for Communists to withdrawal their support of the Provisional Government and cease participation in WW1 to ensure a rise of Bolshevik politics. The picture chosen shows Lenin's creation of a newspaper-like document to encourage support -
Lenin Returns from Exile
Lenin returned to Petrograd after 10 years of exile with 23 revolutionaries. Hundreds of soldiers and sailors were ready to welcome him following his 10 day trip in a sealed car from Switzerland, with the help of German officials. The tsar was overthrown so Lenin felt safe in returning to his home. He came back to begin a new Bolshevik regime and began to write the April Theses. The picture represents the overwhelming support of his return, the first strive for patriotism since the loss in WW1. -
Provisional Government Formed
After the Duma refused to abandon power, a provisional government was formed. It was known as the Russian Republic and only lasted for around 8 months before Bolshevik rule. Organized elections were formed in Petrograd for elected officials by the public for influence. Furthermore, while the Soviets did allow the provisional government to rule, they insisted on having influence in decisions. A system of dual power between the Soviets and the Provisional Government was created. -
First All-Russian Congress of Soviets Meets
Following both the publication of the April These and the February Revolution, the Dual Powers appointed the Soviets alongside the Provisional Government. The first meeting was met with discussions of thoughts on leaving WW1, land/food issues, and the governmental system. It was primarily composed of Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, and Social Revolutionaries. The picture shows the large capacity of supporters agreeing on the same issues Russia faced. Only a few were at the top to speak for everyone. -
July Days
Taking place in Petrograd, demonstrations took over the city. Soldiers and factory workers set out to protest the Provisional Government. They targeted wealthy land owners and more support grew daily. They did this to prove their support to the Bolshevik party. The Bolsheviks were blamed for this uprising, since they urged disagreement of government programs. The picture represents the chaos that ensued on this day, with a lack of order to the way demonstrations were to take place. -
Kornilov Affair
Military Commander Kornilov attempted a coup on the leader of the Provisional Gov., Aleksander Kerensky. Kornilov argued that he had the intent to restore peace in Petrograd, since Kerensky had recently created an Offensive in hopes of gaining societal support, but this had failed. Kornilov felt he should please the people, proving to be unsuccessful, leading to Kornilov's incarceration. The picture shows Kornilov praised for his plans because the Bolsheviks were clouded with violent judgement. -
Bolsheviks Overthrow the Provisional Government and Take Control
In this event, also known as the October Revolution, Lenin ordered his powers to overthrow the Provisional Gov. There was no support of this system, so the Bolsheviks felt it right to take over. The Red Guard marched to the Winter Palace (place of governmental meetings) and arrested officials. This opened up the opportunity for the Bolsheviks to independently run the country, appointing themselves to be best fit for the job. The picture displays the chaos and shock on the day of the revolt. -
Constituent Assembly meets and is disbanded
The day before, the Bolshevik delegates were rejected the recognition of the authority of the Soviet Government by the Constituent Assembly. By then, the Bolshevik delegates and the Left Socialist Revolutionaries all dispersed from the Assembly. On January 19th, the constituent assembly was disbanded. The picture represents the people who disbanded the assembly. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
This was a peace treaty that was signed, seperately, by the new Bolshevik Government and the Central Powers. This treaty was in negotiations for two months and was finally approved by the Russians in order to stop invasion. They gave up all of Ukraine and the three Baltics were given to Germany. The picture shown is the first two pages of the treaty. -
Wartime communism begins
Wartime communism began as a result of of conflicting aims. Some argued that its only purpose was to win the war, while others thought that it was a natural step towards socialism. While many people disagreed about the aim of wartime communism, many still supported it. However, once in place, the population experienced hardships due to the scarcity of food. The picture shown is an art piece by Ivan Vladimirov named "Famine" to represent these experiences. -
Red Terror
The Red Terror was the name given to the political oppression enforced by the Bolsheviks through executions and propaganda, mainly through the Cheka, which were the Bolshevik secret police. This was mainly began due to the assassination attempts on Lenin, and was aiming to use fear in order to gain control. The picture used is an example of the propaganda that would be shown, this one asserting "Death to the Bourgeoisie and its lapdogs - Long live the Red Terror" -
Kolchak attacks Reds
Kolchak was given power as the leader of the White Movement. However, ultimately, he failed in leading as many of his decisions were backed by a lack of knowledge and experience. Namely, Kolchak was closed-minded in where his supporters came from, such as minorities, and this would lead the White movement to become unstable. Once his white forces fell, he was betrayed due to lack of support and was later executed. The picture shows Alexander Kolchak as Supreme Ruler of Russia. -
Ukraine brought under Soviet Rule
Ukraine was the name given to the territories under Bolshevik Control. Once Ukraine was established, they slowly gave their rights away to Russia in areas like foreign relations and trade. This was then named Soviet Ukraine, this republic would last up until the formation of the U.S.S.R., and would be one of the four founding republics. The picture shown is the first Ukrainian SSR flag that was established. -
Poles move towards Kiev
The polish and the UPR forces begin an offence aimed at Kiev. This was due to conflicts based on the subordination of the Ukrainian Units. They, the Polish and the Ukrainian forces, then agree on a trade settlement that was mainly one sided towards the exploitation of the Ukrainian Side by the Polish. The picture represents the subordination of the Ukrainian Units as Petliura inspects them in Kiev. -
Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
After the attack on Kiev, soviet forces launched a counterattack that caused the Polish to retreat. However, once the Battle of Warsaw took placed, in which the Reds approached the Polish capital, the polish took a decisive victory in which the reds suffered major losses, as much as 10,000 killed. The collage picked for the event shows how the polish fought and were reinforced before taking the soviet flags as victory. -
Tambov Rebellion
Tambov rebellion was a large organized rebellion led by the peasanty against the Bolshevik government. This took place within Tambov Oblast, close to Moscow. This was mainly due to the forced confiscation and oppression of the peasantry by the Bolshevik government. 100,000 people were arrested due to resistance, and around 15,000 killed. The picture shown is Alexander Antonov with his staff, the movement was named after him as he was a government leader who opposed the Bolshevik Government. -
Kronstadt Uprising
The Kronstadt Uprising was a rebellion of sailors, soldiers and citizens against the Bolshevik government. Localized to the port city of Krostadt. This lasted approximately 16 days, in which the rebellion marched in opposition to the Soviet Government in place. This was due to the dissatisfaction of the way the government was leading, and was the last major rebellion against the regime. The picture chosen is a photograph of Loyalist soldiers attacking the rebellion. -
Ending of Wartime Communism
Wartime Communism was ended through the beginning of the NEP, or the New Economic Policy, which was proposed by Lenin as a temporary plan. This was a direct contrast to wartime communism as it represented a more market-oriented economic policy that more closely matched capitalism. This ultimately caused the end of Wartime Communism as abolishment of forced grain-requisition was in place and a mixed economy was created. The picture chosen shows the reestablishment of basic currency. -
Treaty of Rapallo
The Treaty of Rapallo was an agreement between the Germans and Soviet Russia in which both parties renounced all claims, territorial and financial, against each other, leading to open friendly diplomatic relations. This was a major victory for Russia particularly, while a disappointment to France and Great Britain. The picture shown is the meeting of the German and the Russian representatives to talk in diplomacy. -
Formation of Soviet Union
The U.S.S.R., the United Soviet Socialist Republic, was established as a successor to the Russian Empire of Tsars. The U.S.S.R. was formed from the four socialist republics that were created, being The Russian, Transcaucasian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian republics. More republics would be added as time progressed. The flag shown is the flag used to represent the Soviet Union after formation. -
Lenin Dies
After declining health, such as a stroke that caused his ability to speak to be lost, Lenin passed away due to a disease of the blood vessels, that was not curable at the time. Many came to pay respects, however, at the funeral, Trotsky was absent, as he claimed that Stalin sent him a telegram with the wrong date of the funeral. The funeral is shown to be painted in the following picture, by Isaac Brodsky.