Russian Revolution

Government before the Revolution
Autocratic Monarchy
Romanov Family
Tsar Nicholas II took the throne in 1884

Russo-Japanese War
War breaks out in 1904
Causes:
Japan expanding west in to Manchuria and Korea
Russia expanding east in to Asia looking for warm water ports
Outcome:
Russia was defeated, the war ended in 1905
Far weaker than anyone in Europe thought

Revolution of 1905
January 22, 1905 Bloody Sunday
Workers approached the Winter Palace with a petition, were fired upon by army guard
Unrest and dissatisfaction among peasants and workers
Political groups wanted government reform

Government Changes
Creation of the Duma: May 1906
Initially an advisory committee
Broad participation in Duma
Legislative and oversight powers
Fundamental Laws: April 23, 1906
Maintained the authority of the Tsar over the Law, the Church, and the Duma
Confirmed basic human rights, subordinate to the law

WWI
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Russia backs Serbia as part of the alliances
Mobilization:
Russia attacked Germany before they were ready
Not enough soldiers, not enough supplies, industry and infrastructure not ready for war

The Revolution Begins
February Revolution 1917(March according to Gregorian Calendar)
Reasons:
Failures of Russia in WWI
Public dissatisfaction over leadership
Economic problems.
Abdication of Tsar Nicholas: March 17, 1917
Provisional Government Created: March 12, 1917
Leader: Alexander Kerensky

Return of Lenin
April 1917 Lenin returns to Russia from exile
Germany helped Lenin return
Trying to remove Russia from the war

October Revolution
October 1917(November according to Gregorian calendar)
Provisional Government overthrown
Establishment of Soviet government under the Bolsheviks

Russian Civil War
Breaks out in 1917 and lasts until 1923
Fighting between:
Bolshevik Red Army
White Army (anti-Bolsheviks)
Political parties fighting for control of Russia
The revolution of 1917 was not a planned revolution. Therefore haphazard leadership and government was formed. This led to instability.

1918
January: Creation of the Council of People’s Commissars
Highest government authority under Bolsheviks
March: Bolshevik party renamed Communist party
March 3, 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Treaty between Germany and Russia
End of WWI for Russia

In to the 20s
January 21, 1924
Lenin dies
1927
Stalin comes in to leadership power in Russia