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Colour key for factors: blue = social, red = economic, purple = political
Bloody Sunday DATE dmy
22nd January 1905
Bloody Sunday CAUSES
Anti-gov feelings were running high in Petrograd, especially as Russia had lost Port Arthur. The people were tired of being treated badly
Bloody Sunday DETAILS
Father Gapon organised a petition and a peaceful march to the Winter Palace to ask the Tsar for things like an eight-hour day, minimum wages and an elected parliament. 150,000 men, women and children turned up but the soldiers in the WP opened fire on them.
Bloody Sunday CONSEQUENCES/SIGNIFICANCE
130 killed and 300 wounded, the Tsar was no longer seen as “Little Father”, triggered sympathy strikes and rioting.
Potemkin mutiny CAUSES
Soldiers being served rotten meat, the captain’s demands to shoot the initial ringleaders of the protests
Potemkin mutiny DATE my
june 1905
Potemkin mutiny DETAILS
The crew's discontent led to a rebellion on the battleship Potemkin in June 1905, where sailors protested against poor conditions and lack of food. The firing squads meant to shoot the ringleaders instead turned on their captain and threw the officers overboard
Potemkin mutiny CONSEQUENCES/SIGNIFICANCE
Mutinies spread to other units in the armed forces and sparked strikes across Russia, contributing to the growing revolutionary sentiment and slowing industry down.
1905 Revolution CAUSES (3)
Potemkin mutiny, food shortages, autocratic rule
1905 Revolution DETAILS
Peasants seized land, a general strike was called, and there were mass protests against the Tsar's regime, leading to significant unrest and demands for political reform.
1905 Revolution CONSEQUENCES (4)
Formation of the St Petersburg soviet, October Manifesto (greater civil liberties, creation of the Duma), attacks from tsarists on people anti-tsar after October Manifesto, formation of liberal political parties
December 1905 EVENTS
Arrest of the members of the St Petersburg Soviet arrested, armed uprising in Moscow crushed by force
Germany declares war on Russia and Duma suspended DATE dmy
1st August 1914
Germany declares war on Russia DETAILS/SIGNIFICANCE
Greater patriotic, nationalist sentiment in Russia, leading to increased recruitment and support for the war effort, St Petersburg renamed Petrograd, tsar started to work more closely with Dumas
Main two Russian armies defeated DATE my
November 1914
Main two Russian armies defeated DETAILS
Defeated at battles of Masurian Lakes and Tannenberg
Main two Russian armies defeated SIGNIFICANCE
Signaled a turning point in World War I, leading to severe losses for Russia and a decline in morale. Demonstrated the flaws in the army’s leadership and contributed to the Tsar’s decision to take over
TN2 takes over control of army DATE dmy
22nd August 1915
TN2 takes over control of the army CAUSES
Army wasn’t doing well due to poor resources and training, had suffered heavy losses (1 million injured/dead/captured in 1914) and soldiers losing faith in their leaders
TN2 takes over control of army DETAILS
Left Petrograd for the army HQ in Belarus
TN2 takes over control of army SIGNIFICANCE
Was now blamed directly for war failures, had less control over domestic matters, Alexandra and Rasputin left in charge who were very unpopular
Rasputin assassination DATE dmy
1st December 1916
Rasputin assassination CAUSES
Unpopularity amongst all classes, fear that he needed to go to save the tsarist system
Rasputin assassination DETAILS
Killed by Yussupo, an aristocrat, who invited him to his home and then poisoned then shot then drowned him
Rasputin assassination SIGNIFICANCE
finally bye rasputin, mixed reaction from the public, didn’t lead to a drastic change in the tsar and tsarina’s leadership like the conspirators had hoped
Feb Rev. Demonstrations commemorating Bloody Sunday DATE dm
9th January
Feb. Rev. Putilov strike begins in Petrograd DATE dm
10th February
Feb. Rev. Bread rationing begins DATE dm
19th Feb
Feb. Rev. International Women’s Day demonstration DATE
23rd Feb
Feb. Rev. IWD demonstrations DETAILS
Female textile workers in several factories decided almost spontaneously to go on strike, demanding bread and better working conditions, which escalated into a larger protest.
Feb. Rev. IWD demonstration SIGNIFICANCE
Led to general strike
Feb. Rev. General strike begins DATE dm
25th Feb
Feb. Rev. General strike CAUSES
Escalation of IWD demonstration, food shortages, ongoing war, general discontent
Feb. Rev. General strike DETAILS
Essentially all factories in Petrograd were closed at this point, 300,000 workers protesting
Feb. Rev. TN2 ordered closure of the Dumas DATE dm
25th Feb
Feb. Rev. TN2 orders Duma closure DETAILS
Duma refused to be disbanded, instead formed a council of 12 people to make up the Prov. Gov.
Feb. Rev. army mutiny DATE dm
27th Feb
Feb. Rev. army mutiny CAUSES
Soldiers sympathising with strikers, soldiers in Petrograd being held in barracks that weren’t big enough
Feb. Rev. army mutiny DETAILS
TN2 told General Khabalov to order his troops to open fire on the crowd, they refused as they sympathised with the protestors, soldiers mutinied and killed/turned on their officers
Feb. Rev. army mutiny SIGNIFICANCE
TN2 had no way of enforcing his authority or putting down the protestors, facilitated the Petrograd Soviet taking control of the armed forces
Feb. Rev. Petrograd Soviet set up DATE dm
27th Feb
Feb. Rev. Petro Sov issues Soviet Order No 1 DATE dm
1st March
Feb. Rev. Petro Sov Order No 1 DETAILS
This order established the authority of the Petrograd Soviet over the military, ensuring that soldiers obeyed the Soviet rather than the Provisional Government, and called for the establishment of committees to represent the interests of the troops.
Feb. Rev. Petro Sov Order No 1 SIGNIFICANCE
Later gave the Petro Sov more power than the Prov Gov, easier for the Bols to get their way and eliminate opposition
Feb. Rev. Nicholas abdication and creation of Prov Gov DATE dm
2nd March
Feb. Rev. TN2 abdicates CAUSE
Loss of control over armed forces, general strike, N was strongly advised/forced to resign by his gov. ministers and army leaders
Lenin return to Russia (from Switzerland) DATE dmy
3rd April 1917
Lenin return CAUSE
Tsar had been deposed, Lenin eager to seize control, Kamenev and Stalin had already returned and started to revitalise the Bols. party, Germans helped as they knew Lenin would destabilise Russia
Lenin return DETAILS
Enlisted the help of the Germans (who Russia was fighting) and travelled on a sealed train to Russia, where he was met by cheering crowds.
Lenin return SIGNIFICANCE
Lenin steered the Bols towards a more radical, less co-operative mindset, wrote the April Thesis on the train home - essentially Lenin’s blueprint for the Bolshevik revolution, which called for immediate withdrawal from World War I and a transfer of power to the Soviets.
July Days DATE dmy
3rd-5th July 1917
July Days CAUSES
Failed June and July Offensives, grain prices had doubled in Petrograd, shortages of fuel and raw materials had forced factories to close
July Days DETAILS
The Prov Gov were unwilling to help the struggling people as they didn’t want to upset the industrialists. 20,000 armed sailors from Kronstadt appeared on the streets and many workers joined them, all chanting Bols. slogans together. They looted buildings and seized important buildings like train stations.
July Days CONSEQUENCES
PG turned on the Bols and many Bols leaders fled, Bols. party repressed, Kerensky replaced Prince Lvov as leader of the PG
Kornilov coup DATE dm
27th Aug - 13th Sep
Kornilov coup CAUSES
The Kornilov coup was caused by growing tensions between the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks, alongside military dissatisfaction and a desire for a stronger military leadership, led by General Kornilov. Other factors included the failure of the Provisional Government to address key social and economic issues, which fueled unrest among soldiers and workers, as well as industrialists who felt their needs weren’t being met
Kornilov coup DETAILS
Kornilov ordered 6 regiments of troops to march on Petrograd and establish a military dictatorship. Kerensky ordered them to stop but they refused so Kerensky released imprisoned Bols (as they were trusted by the people) and armed them so they could prevent any further advance of the coup. Kornilov’s supply lines were cut and the coup leaders were arrested
Kornilov coup SIGNIFICANCE
Kerensky had essentially freed and armed his opponents, Bols. were the main benefactors of the coup and were able to utilise it to increase their popularity, Kerensky’s reputation was damaged
October Revolution DATE dmy
Actual insurrection took place on 25th October 1917
October Revolution CAUSES
The weakness of the PG, defeats in WWI and the bitterness of the soldiers, Lenin’s political manoeuvres, Trotsky’s policies, the deteriorating economy, the resentment of the peasants and workers
October Revolution CAUSES (Lenin’s manoeuvres specifically)
He “persuaded” the other members of the Bols that an armed revolution was better than co-operation with other socialist parties as those parties were associated with a failed government.
October Revolution (CAUSES) (Trotsky’s tactics specifically)
In Early October, he established a Military Revolutionary Committee to defend the Soviets from counter-revolutionary assaults and to plan the insurrection. He effectively coordinated the Bolshevik forces and secured key locations in Petrograd.
October Revolution DETAILS
Kamenev and Zinoviev leaked to a newspaper plans for a revolution, which prompted Kerensky to act and he closed some Bols newspapers and wanted to send troops to defend against a revolution (was stopped). This gave the Bols excuse to act and 25,000 Bols supporters took to the streets, seizing gov. buildings/offices and eventually took the Winter Palace, allowing the Bols to seize power through the establishment of several new councils, etc.
October Revolution CONSEQUENCES
The Bols were now officially in power and would implement communist rule, their power grew absolute which meant they could crush any opposition. Once in government, they quickly implemented their three decrees - Decree on Land (redistributing land to the peasants and banning private ownership), Decree on Peace (relating to the end of WWI) and War Decree (organising a new government).
Decree on Workers’ Control of Factories DATE my
November 1917
Decree on Workers’ Control of Factories SIGNIFICANCE
Outlined cautions to those taking over factories, reminding them they were still to be held responsible to the state
Nationalisation of banks DATE my
December 1917
Nationalisation of banks SIGNIFICANCE
Represented a further step towards communism, gave the Bols. greater control over the Russian economy
Establishment of the Veshenka DATE my
December 1917
Establishment of the Veshenka DETAILS/SIGNIFICANCE
Was responsbile for “all existing institutions for the regulation of economic life”. Gave the Bols. greater economic control
Constituent Assembly one and only meeting/disbanding DATE dmy
19th January
Constituent Assembly one and only meeting/disbanding CAUSES/BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Lenin was forced to allow elections to be held in November 1917, SRs got 410 seats whereas Bols only got 175 (Bols support was limited in rural areas), Lenin said “elections prove nothing”, the elected status of the CA gave it a mandate as a legitimate body to be the next gov
Constituent Assembly one and only meeting/disbanding DETAILS
Lenin asserted that his Soviet gov were a higher power than the CA so allowed them to meet once on the 5th January but then forcibly closed it to consolidate Bols rule in Russia.
Constituent Assembly one and only meeting/disbanding CONSEQUENCES
There was some opposition against it but this was put down, the other political parties lost power, Bols political control increased
Creation of Red Army DATE dmy
10th February 1918
Creation of Red Army CAUSES
The need to defend the Bolshevik government against internal and external threats during the Russian Civil War led to the establishment of the Red Army. The Red Guards (created 1917) would not be enough as they faced significant challenges and needed a more organized military force to ensure the survival of the revolution.
Creation of the Red Army DETAILS
The Red Army was formed to consolidate military power and defend the Bolshevik regime, evolving from the Red Guards to include a more structured organization with formal ranks and discipline. Established by the Council of People’s Commisars and led by Leon Trotsky
Trotsky’s appointment to the role of War Commisar DATE dm
19th January
Trotsky’s appointment to the role of War Commisar CONSEQUENCES
Trotsky's leadership significantly strengthened the Red Army, improving its organization and effectiveness in combat. His strategies and mobilization efforts were crucial for the Bolsheviks' success during the Civil War.
The end of Russia’s involvement and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk DATE dmy
3rd March 1918
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk CAUSES
The treaty was largely a result of Russia's military defeats in World War I (in the run up to B-L, the Germans had taken 63,000 prisoners in just 2 weeks), the desire for peace among war-weary citizens, struggling economy as resources were diverted to the war and the Bolshevik government's need to consolidate power, especially as they had promised peace when they had came to power, Lenin’s threat of resignation
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk DETAILS
There was great disagreement between Lenin and Trotsky regarding the treaty, but ultimately the Bols. decided to sign the peace treaty with Germany after Lenin threatened to resign. The treaty ceded significant territory to Germany, including Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic states, and imposed harsh reparations on Russia.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk CONSEQUENCES
Russia had to pay Germany 3 billion roubles to sign the treaty, Russia lost 1/6 of its population as it gave up territories such as Ukraine and Belarus, it lost 74% of its iron ore and coal, had to give up valuable agricultural land, its army was broken up and weakened - less negotiating power
Civil War begins DATE my
April 1918
Nationalisation of external trade DATE my
June 1918
Nationalisation of external trade DETAILS/SIGNIFICANCE
Move towards communism, greater economic control for the Bols.
Nationalisation of the railways DATE m-my
June-September 1918
Nationalisation of the railways DETAILS/SIGNIFICANCE
Move towards comm., gave the Bols. greater control of trade and therefore better economic control, gave them a strategic advantage in the war as it was easier for them to use railways for transportation of goods and troops
1918 Consitution DATE my
July 1918
1918 Constitution DETAILS
The former “exploiting classes” (e.g. businessmen) were stripped of the vote, workers votes were weighted 5x more than the peasants, the Congress was only to meet at intervals
1918 Constitution CONSEQUENCES
No room for opposition, the lack of Council meetings meant really the Sovnarkom were in charge, focus was placed on the power of the Bols party
First arrival of foreign troops in the Civil War DATE
Announcement of the policy of “war communism” DATE dmy
28th June 1918
Murder of the Romanov family DATE dmy
17th July 1918
Murder of the Romanov family CAUSES
Some fighting for the Whites wanted to restore the tsarist system, the White Czechslovak Legion was approaching and officers were worried they would free the tsar, the Bolsheviks feared that the Romanovs could be used as a symbol to rally support against them.
Murder of the Romanov family DETAILS
The execution of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their five children by Bolshevik forces in Yekaterinburg, Russia, to eliminate any potential for a royalist uprising.
Murder of the Romanov family CONSEQUENCES
The execution led to the end of the Romanov dynasty and solidified Bolshevik control over Russia, eliminating any hope for a monarchy's return. Over the next few weeks, more relatives of the royal family were killed.
High point of the White advance westwards DATE my
August 1918
Kolchak declares himself “Supreme Ruler of Russia” DATE my
November 1918
High point of Denikin’s advance - 200 miles from Moscow, high point of Yundenich’s advance to the outskirts of Petrograd DATE my
October 1919
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