Russian revolution History Timeline and Biographies

1905

1905 Russian Revolution

The 1905 Russian Revolution was a wave of mass political and social unrest that spread through vast areas of the Russian Empire. It included worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies. This revolution led to the establishment of the State Duma, a multi-party system, and the Russian Constitution of 1906.

1914

World War I Begins

Russia entered World War I, which placed immense strain on Russian society and the economy. The hardships faced by soldiers and civilians alike contributed to the revolutionary sentiments brewing in the country.

1917

February Revolution

The February Revolution led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty. A provisional government was established, marking the first phase of the Russian Revolution.

1917

October Revolution

The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, saw the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seize control of the government from the provisional authorities. This revolution marked the beginning of Soviet rule.

1918

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between the new Bolshevik government and the Central Powers, ending Russia's involvement in World War I. This treaty ceded significant territories to Germany.

1918

Russian Civil War Begins

The Russian Civil War broke out between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (anti-Bolshevik forces). The conflict lasted until 1922 and resulted in the consolidation of Bolshevik power.

1918

Execution of the Romanovs

The former Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolshevik forces, effectively ending the Romanov dynasty.

1919

Kronstadt Rebellion

The Kronstadt Rebellion was a major uprising of Soviet sailors, soldiers, and civilians against the Bolshevik government. It was ultimately suppressed by the Red Army.

1921

New Economic Policy (NEP)

Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy to revive the Russian economy by allowing some private enterprise and small-scale capitalism within the socialist framework.

1922

Formation of the Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was officially established, marking the end of the Russian Revolution and the beginning of a new era in Russian history.

1924

Death of Lenin

Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party and the architect of the Russian Revolution, died. His death led to a power struggle within the Communist Party, eventually leading to Joseph Stalin's rise to power.

1927

End of NEP

Joseph Stalin ended the New Economic Policy and began the first Five-Year Plan, focusing on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture.

1936

Great Purge Begins

Stalin initiated the Great Purge, a campaign of political repression, which involved widespread arrests, executions, and the persecution of perceived enemies of the state.

1941

Operation Barbarossa

Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union. The conflict became a crucial part of World War II and significantly impacted Soviet society.

1945

End of World War II

World War II ended with the Soviet Union emerging as one of the world's superpowers. The war's aftermath solidified the USSR's influence in Eastern Europe and set the stage for the Cold War.