Timeline Flashcards
January 1905 Bloody Sunday / 1905 Revolution
Father Gapon attempted to lead a peaceful march to present a petition to the Tsar, however they were fired upon, killing 200
The immediate reaction was widespread disorder: strikes in major cities, terrorism against gov officials and landlords (organised by SRs), property seizures, and minorities declaring independence
When was the October manifesto/ creation of Duma
6 August 1905
Nicholas II established the Duma in his October Manifesto, promising that its approval would be necessary for the enactment of legislation.
This was done to put down political unrest, satiating demands for democracy, but did nothing for workers/peasants
When was the Kronstadt solider mutiny?
Potemkin Mutiny
Soldiers refused to shoot unarmed strikers or use force to drive them away from properties they occupied
The ship Prince Potemkin mutinied while at sea
By the autumn of 1905, industrial unrest had grown into a general strike
In cities, workers formed elected soviets, and these councils’ potential was immediately recognised by revolutionaries
What happened when Russia joined WW1?
Russia enters World War One
Three years of total war were too much of a strain for the Russian political, social, and economic institutions.
The war held rampant inflation, food shortages, the disruption of the transport system, an under equipped army, massive losses and low morale.
Nicholas II made himself personally responsible for the war failures in leading the army. He left his German wife Alexandra and mystic Rasputin in charge at home, worsening opposition.
List the events that happened in 1917
-February revolution
-Russia goes into dual authority
-Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II
-Lenin returns, April thesis
-June offensive
-July days
-Kornilov Coup
-Establishment of Sovnarkom
-Decrees on Land and Peace
-Elections to Constituent Assembly
-Formation of the Cheka
Revolution was sparked by bread shortage, workers locked out of the Putilov Steel Works, and international women’s day
200,000 workers were on strike demanding end to war and tsardom
There was no clear political party in charge
Soldiers refused to put down the disorder, instead joining protests
February revolution
Duma held a meeting despite the Tsar’s orders, setting up a Provisional Government until elections to a Constituent Assembly could take place. It was formed mostly of leading liberal figures e.g. Kadets and socialists such as Kerensky. It had official recognition.
The Petrograd Soviet was dominated by Mensheviks and SRs, representing workers and soldiers. It controlled everything via the workers but served only as a watchdog to the Prov Gov. It disagreed often with the Prov Gov, leading to nothing getting done.
Dual authority: Petrograd Soviet and Provisional government
Nicholas II passed authority to his brother Grand Duke Mikhail, who instead passed it to the Provisional Government under Lvov.
This brought centuries of tsardom to an end
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates
Lenin had been in Switzerland and the revolution took him by surprise. He was helped into Russia by the Germans who hoped he would cause problems
His April Thesis went beyond the ideas of other left-wing leaders, wanting a second revolution and opposing the ‘bourgeois stage’ of revolution
October revolution + Lenin returns
Unsuccessful military operation in WW1 planned by minister of war Kerensky to raise support for the Prov Gov
Only one General was successful in the offensive - Kornilov
June offensive
The Bolshevik party had become the centre for the masses dissatisfied with the government’s performance. Mounting frustration erupted in uncontrolled rioting, sparked by failures of the summer offensive, economic plight, and fears of the Petrograd Garrison being sent to the front
Lenin refused to join the rising but Bolsheviks were blamed for the bloodshed. He was forced into hiding in Finland.
July days- riots
Kerensky made Kornilov Supreme Commander of the Russian forces to restore law and order, but he had a separate objective to crush socialism and the revolution. Kornilov staged a coup.
The coup was put down by the Bolshevik Red Guard. It damaged Kerensky’s reputation irreparably, and increased support for the Bolsheviks.
Kornilov revolt/ coup
Lenin pushed for a coup d’état style revolution to overthrow the provisional government, despite party reservations
The government was virtually defenceless, and despite a series of delays, it was easily overthrown.
Following the revolution, there was drunken anarchy in Petrograd and fighting in Moscow. Just outside Petrograd, Kerensky was waiting on General Krasnov’s troops to fight back.
Bolsheviks seize power
Lenin gave the peasants the right to take over the estates of the gentry and his intention to exit from WW1 (though this did nothing)
‘Peace, land and bread’
Decrees on land and bread
Lenin let elections go ahead under immense pressure for a democratic government; Bolsheviks made a pact with the left-SRs so Lenin could claim to represent the peasantry
The SRs won the most votes and seats
Election in the constituent assembly
