Russia was becoming powerful and the lives of serfs had not improved. Russia was divided between two groups; the very rich and the very poor. Tensions between the two groups began to rise drastically.
1855-1881 Alexander II
-Wanted Russia to become more like European nations.
-Freed the serfs and gave them their own land.
1881-1894 Alexander III
-Reversed many of his father’s reforms and the country again came under harsh rule.
1894-1917 Nicholas II
-After a devastating defeat by the Japanese, unrest grew among serfs and workers.
Czar “Ramanov Family” Rules Russia
-Bloody Sunday 1/22/05: Thousand of workers marched to the Winter Palace to request reforms from the czar. The workers were met by troops that fired into the crowds killing thousands.
-After Bloody Sunday Nicholas was forced to agree to the “Duma”. The “Duma” was a congress elected by the people. The Duma held power along with czar until 1917.
World War One
1914-1919
War that was fought over territory and alliances in Europe.
Russia formed an alliance with France, Britain, and the USA
2, 500, 000 Russians killed
Russia withdrew from the war in 1917 due to its own civil war at home. Russia was economically devastated after the war.
World War One
Inflation soared, people suffered severe food shortages and reconstruction costs were astronomical. Russia was on the verge of collapse. The Russian citizens rioted. The czar Nicholas Romanov was forced to relinquish his power and a weak democratic government controls Russia.
Communist Principles Rule Russia
1917 Vladimir Lenin overthrows the new Russian democracy and makes peace with Germany.
In order to heal the deep split between Russia’s rich and poor, Lenin installs a communist government.
Russian Civil War
1917-1922
Communists come to power under Lenin.
War broke out between the communists and nationalists. The war lasted for three years and cost millions of Russian lives.
The czar Nicholas Romanov and his family are murdered by the Bolsheviks (Communists).
USSR Formed
1922 under Lenin
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
The USSR was made up of Russia and smaller republics under Russian control.
Lenin jailed or killed people who opposed his communist government.
USSR Formed
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Albania, East Germany, Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam were nations that were ruled by the USSR.
Lenin dies in 1924
Josef Stalin Rules Russia
Rules from 1924-1953
Stalin is a harsh and cruel dictator that supports communist principles. He controlled every aspect of Soviet life and jailed or executed anyone who opposed him.
Josef Stalin Rules Russia Stalin forced the serfs to give their farm products to the government and sent millions of serfs to the Siberian Labor camps where millions died.
World War Two
In 1939, Stalin signed a pact with Germany to not invade, Germany invades anyway.
In 1941, Germany invades the USSR and millions die. Soviet cities are destroyed.
World War Two
The Soviets joined forces with the Allies and captured Berlin, Germany in 1945. Germany is defeated and the Russians never leave Eastern Europe after the war.
Cold War
The Cold War was a time of great tension in the world. Communist countries of Eastern Europe and the USSR formed an alliance called the Warsaw Countries.
The capitalist countries of Western Europe and the USA formed the alliance of NATO Countries.
Cold War
The two alliances competed in an arms race of nuclear weapons, a space race, through education, and the Olympics.
The Iron Curtain marked the dividing line between communism and capitalism.
Sputnik Launched
The Cold War was a time of great tension and secrets. Both the United States and the USSR worked very hard to secure their countries.
Both nations were very fearful of spying and nuclear attacks.
Sputnik Launched
Sputnik was one of the ten artificial orbiting satellites launched by the USSR that was believed to be spying on the USA.
Vietnam War
1959-1975
Conflict was part of the Cold War and was a hidden war between the USA and USSR/China.
South Vietnam: Capitalists
USA Supported
North Vietnam: Vietcong (Communists)
USSR/China Supported
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was built in 1961. It divided Berlin, Germany into the East (Communism) and the West (Capitalism). This wall split families and friends for 28 years.
Cuban Missile Crisis
1962
Communist Dictator Fidel Castro rules Cuba with the financial and military support of the USSR.
The USA had long range nuclear missiles that could strike all of the USSR. The USSR was unable to reach the USA with their missiles.
Cuban Missile Crisis
The USSR devised a plan to set up Soviet nuclear sites in Cuba that could reach the USA.
Both nations were in the highest state of readiness and prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend their territory.
This crisis is the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war.
USSR Invades Afghanistan
1979-1989
USSR invades Afghanistan in attempt to install a communist government.
The United States supported the Islamic Fundamentalist government (Taliban and Bin Laden) that opposed Soviet rule.
Extension of the Cold War
Chernobyl
1986 Ukraine
Worst nuclear reactor disaster in history. The explosion caused radioactive material to be released into the atmosphere.
Hundreds suffered from severe radiation sickness, high cancer rates and genetic mutations were common.
Chernobyl
Chernobyl and near by towns were all evacuated.
Fall of Berlin Wall
November 9 th , 1989
East German government opens its borders to the West and allows thousands to pass freely through the Berlin Wall.
November 10 th , 1989: East German troops begin to dismantle the Berlin Wall which marked the end of communism in Europe.
Break Up of the USSR
1991
In economic ruin due to military spending to support the Cold War, the USSR collapses.
Russia becomes democratic and embraces capitalism.
Break Up of the USSR
Former Russian republics emerge as free nations and hold their own elections.
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