Crowd vladimir ilyich lenin russian revolution 1917

Timeline of Russian Revolution

  • Brusilov Offensive

    Brusilov Offensive
    the picture is significant because it shows the military power that was required to defeat the Austria- Hungarians. the purpose of the offensive was to back the Austro- Hungarians into a corner and resign from WW1. The main tactic the offensive used was through military power, and this image clearly demonstrates the military power used by Russia.
  • July Days

    July Days
    This picture is significant because it shows the aftermath of the February Revolution to further overturn the Russian provisional government. This picture shows the actions of protest and propaganda. This picture is significant to showing the collective propaganda against the provisional government.
  • Kornilov Affair

    Kornilov Affair
    The picture is significant because it shows the military power soviet soldiers were given in Russia. the military power in Russia that was given to the soldiers was significant to affecting the outcome of the coup. the purpose of the coup as to overthrow provisional government leaders. this image shows the extensive power the soldiers used to achieve their goal.
  • Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control

    Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government and take control
    This picture is significant because it shows how in the coup to gather power through territory did not require mass amounts of bloodshed. this image clearly identifies the lack of bloodshed, to also identify to main purpose of the Bolshevik taking control.
  • Ukraine brought under Soviet control

    Ukraine brought under Soviet control
    During the Ukrainian-Soviet War, Ukraine was brought under Soviet control, and the Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets was established. It was governed by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). A map of Ukraine with soldiers fighting against many different soldiers and a red flame (Bolsheviks) represents the conflict. It highlights the resistance of Ukrainian forces against Soviet control. This image captures the intense struggle/clash between local forces and the Red Army.
  • 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
    Kolchak in military uniform, standing in the center of attentive soldiers in a snow-covered Siberian environment represents his role in the Civil War. The snowy conditions emphasize the difficult environment in which Kolchak and his army fought. Him being centered highlights his leadership, which were key to organizing the offensive. It captures his military significance and the difficulties Army faced. It communicates the determination, struggles that shaped Kolchak’s impact on the Civil War.
  • Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd

    Trotsky organizes Red Guard to defend Petrograd
    This image is significant because it shows the formation of the Red Guard, and it also illustrates the mass amount of military power it had. The extensive amount of military presence further shows the power Bolsheviks needed to ride to power.
  • Poles move toward Kiev

    Poles move toward Kiev
    During the Russo-Polish War (1919 – 1920), Poland launched an offensive to help restore Ukraine’s independence. Polish forces moved toward Kiev in 1920, aiming to support Ukrainian independence against Soviet control. This picture is set in Poland and shows Polish soldiers and military supplies traveling along the streets. This picture clearly represents this moment. It highlights Poland's military efforts and the support they provided to Ukraine with their struggle for freedom.
  • Tambov Rebellion

    Tambov Rebellion
    The image of peasants with guns/weapons effectively represents the Tambov Rebellion, a major uprising against Bolshevik policies (War Communism and forced grain requisitioning). The image highlights the peasants' resistance and shows their determination to fight against the oppressive policies that had pushed them to rebellion. The weapons convey their struggle and willingness to challenge the Bolshevik government.
  • Soviets attempt to take Warsaw

    Soviets attempt to take Warsaw
    The picture, showing Polish soldiers on moving horses, effectively represents the times during the Soviet’s attempt to take Warsaw. It captures the movement of Polish forces, highlighting their resistance against the advancing Red Army. It conveys the urgency and tension of the broader offensive as both sides fought for dominance in the region.
  • Ending of Wartime Communism

    Ending of Wartime Communism
    The picture is of this ‘shift’ key on a computer keyboard. It represents the Ending of Wartime Communism and the transition to the New Economic Policy (NEP). The ‘shift’ key shows the change in Soviet economic policies as it moved away from harsh, centralized measures to more pragmatic reforms. It visually conveys this pivotal change that stabilized the economy, reduced unrest, and was essential for the Bolsheviks to maintain power.
  • Kronstadt uprising

    Kronstadt uprising
    This image of sailors (from the ships in the background) readying their weapons, effectively represents the Kronstadt Uprising – a rebellion led by sailors and workers at the Kronstadt Naval Base aimed against the Bolshevik government. It captures the readiness of the sailors to fight for political and economic reforms.
  • Treaty of Rapallo

    Treaty of Rapallo
    The image of a half German flag and a half of a cracked Russian flag effectively represents the Treaty of Rapallo and the diplomatic shift it brought. The crack in the Russian flag represents the challenges/tensions in Soviet Russia. However, the German flag shows the new relationship between the two nations. This overall shows a shift in Soviet foreign policy as it began more pragmatic approach to engaging with Europe.
  • Formation of Soviet Union

    Formation of Soviet Union
    The image of a map of the USSR (with the outlines of the borders of merged territories) effectively represents the Formation of the Soviet Union. The map (specifically the outlined boarders) clearly shows the unification of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Transcaucasia into a single socialist state, marking the establishment of the first communist state in history.
  • Lenin dies

    Lenin dies
    The image of Vladimir Lenin in his coffin with Joseph Stalin (with mustache) standing next to the coffin effectively represents the moment during and after Lenin’s death. Stalin’s presence shows his rising influence and eventual succession. It highlights the pivotal moment in which the death marked the end of the revolutionary era and the start of Stalin's totalitarian rule. This conveys the shift in leadership and political and ideological changes that would shape Soviet policies for decades.