1905 - Revolution of 1905
Outbreak of protests and strikes. The Tsar establishes the Duma.
On January 22, 1905, known as "Bloody Sunday," thousands of workers marched peacefully to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to demand better living conditions. They were brutally repressed by the army of Tsar Nicholas II. This led to strikes and uprisings throughout the country, forcing the Tsar to promise reforms, including the creation of the Duma, although he retained absolute power.
February 1917 - February Revolution
Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and establishment of a provisional government.
Russia's enormous losses in World War I and the economic crisis caused riots in Petrograd in February 1917. Soldiers refused to fire on demonstrators and joined the revolution. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 2, 1917, establishing a Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky, but with little authority and failing to meet the people's demands.
October 1917 - October Revolution
Bolshevik coup and formation of the Soviet government.
On October 25, 1917 (Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took power in a coup against the Provisional Government. They stormed the Winter Palace and established a communist government based on soviets of workers, peasants, and soldiers. Lenin implemented radical reforms, such as land redistribution and nationalization of industries.
1918 - Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Russia signs a peace treaty with Germany.
After taking power, Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918 to withdraw Russia from World War I. As a result, Russia ceded vast territories to Germany and its allies, including Ukraine, Finland, and the Baltic states. This decision generated strong internal opposition and contributed to the start of the Russian Civil War.
1918-1921 - Russian Civil War
Conflict between the Bolsheviks and counter-revolutionary forces.
The Russian Civil War pitted the Bolshevik Red Army against the White Army, a coalition of monarchists, liberals, and moderate socialists supported by foreign powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. Between 1918 and 1921, the conflict caused millions of deaths due to war, famine, and political reprisals. By 1921, the Bolsheviks had consolidated power, establishing the Soviet Union in 1922.