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The Russian Revolution of 1905 was a popular movement that persuaded Tsar Nicholas II to change Russia's government from an autocracy to a constitutional monarchy. Various socioeconomic classes expressed their dissatisfaction with the Russian social and political order long before 1905, particularly after the humiliating Russo-Japanese War (1904–05). Their protests have included student riots and terrorist assassinations, ranging from liberal speeches to strikes. The killing of nonviolent demonstrators, in the square in front of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on Bloody Sunday, concluded these efforts. Other general strikes broke out in St. Petersburg and many more major industrial cities. In February, Nicholas responded by announcing plans to form an elected assembly to advise the administration. Striking workers, peasants, and even liberals in the Zemstvos who demanded a constituent assembly by April, were displeased with his plan. The revolution extended throughout the empire, especially to non-Russian areas such as Poland, Finland, the Baltic provinces, and Georgia, where the nationalist organizations bolstered it. The anti-revolutionary Black Hundreds attacked socialists and launched pogroms against Jews in several localities, putting down the insurrection violently. However, the armed forces joined the revolution as well. Army units along the Trans-Siberian Railroad line rioted, and the crew of the battleship Potemkin mutinied in Odessa's harbor in June. The government's announcement of election procedures for the Advisory Assembly on August 6, 1905, sparked even more protests, which grew into September. The uprising peaked in October and November when a train strike erupted into a nationwide strike in most of the major cities. The first workers' council operated as a strike committee, and the St. Petersburg Soviet was established on October 13th, 1905. This led to the general strike at first, but when more social democrats, particularly Mensheviks, joined it took on the form of a revolutionary government. Soon in Moscow, Odessa, and other cities, similar soviets were instituted. All of the events in the 1905 revolution built up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 in which the new revolutionary government was attempting to create an updated system in favor of the people and human rights. Yes, the Russian Revolution helped further human rights in the long run, but it was taken to such an extent that more damage was done than improvement. For the first time people learned to what extent equality can really reach without becoming tyrannical, but at the price of millions of lives.

"1905 Russian Revolution" [1905 Russian Revolution]. Britannica. Accessed February 13, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/event/Russian-Revolution-of-1905.

Liam Atkinson

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The February Revolution began on February 23, 1917, but was neither organized nor was it quickly noticed as such by any of the established political parties or organizations. The citizens performed a strike for higher wages in a few of Petrograd's factories and randomly occurred throughout the course of a few months and on one day there were less than 130,000 men picketing in Russia. This occurrence also has to do with the celebration of International Women's Day. There was a mob of supporters for Women's rights and they had numerous supporters. The strike was later joined by university students and others which made the strike become more general and violent. The violence eventually destroyed the police stations and the military had to get involved.

"February Revolution" [February Revolution]. Britannica. Accessed February 14,
2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/February-Revolution.

Liam Atkinson

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The Russian Revolution began on this day and the protests helped aid in the success of the government. Women were striking for bread and suffrage which caused local bakeries to be trampled by the stampede of violent protestors participating in the February Revolution. The marches performed by the women were the catalyst that started the Russian Revolution. After their protests and marches, the women were granted suffrage.

"International Women's Day." Britannica. Accessed February 14, 2022.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Womens-Day.

Liam Atkinson

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June 1917- The first congress of Soviets from across Russia met in St. Petersburg 

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June 1917- The first congress of Soviets from across Russia met in St. Petersburg 

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Soviets were the council that represents workers and the army; there would be 1 soviet per 1000 people. For the first time, all of these soviets met up in the same location including the Non-Bolsheviks and Lenin's group of Bolsheviks also known as the Red Guards. This group of Red guards, and some other groups, were planning to overthrow the Provisional Government. In protest, the non-Bolshevik members of Congress walked out. Thus leaving the Bolsheviks in charge; an all-Bolshevik Council of People's Commissars was constituted as Russia's new government. Given Lenin was in control of this group he used his power to establish a central executive committee to be the permanent ruling body across all soviets, with him as the leading man. He later, in 1918, used his power to create a new constitution that was written to make the soviets the formal unit of government of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets.

Britannica. Volume 28. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago, 1986. (998)

-Liam Atkinson

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"Bolsheviks" organized a takeover, with support from the Red Guards and local troops, of the Provisional Government which was the formal ruling body in Russia since 1905. The Bolsheviks then assumed control of the Petrograd also known as St. Petersburg soviet and then of the Congress of All Soviets. Soviets became the formal system of government in Russia and later in 1918, this system was written up into a constitution. The constitution consisted of a law called the decree on land which abolished private property and ordered the distribution of land to those who work on it. Thus giving power to the working class making all classes equal. The decree on press was also involved in the constitution and it ordered the suppressing of the press and made reports against instigating actions of an obviously criminal or sow sedition through demonstrably slanderous distortion of facts. Anything that went against this was punishable for criminal offenses.

Britannica. Volume 22. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago, 1986.(950)

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The Soviets pulled out because they thought it was a capitalist war and went against the ideas of the revolution. They had also pulled out due to the fact that Russia did not have a fighting chance given their own countries situation. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was Russia's declaration in no longer participating in WWI. Lenin was threatening to pull out from the war if German demands were not met, and pull out was exactly what he did. Lenin then refused to pay back loans to the Western Allies and nationalized foreign property.   This leads to the Allied Powers supporting the counter-revolution with any materials necessary to defeat the Red Guards. The Whites still had lost to the Red Guards due to Lenin's brilliant new decrees to further the rights of the workers, soldier,  peasants, and non-ethnically Russian people to win over their alliance.

"Treaty of Brest-Litovsk." Britannica. Accessed February 13, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/event/treaties-of-Brest-Litovsk.

Liam Atkinson

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The Family Code was the first constitution to give women  equal status to men in Russia, as well as improve women and children's living conditions. Children that were born to unmarried parents were "given the same legal rights" as those who were born to married parents. In addition facilities for childcare and household help were put in place in order to aid women with chores, and all around managing a home so that women would be able to work as well. The Family Code also made vast changes in the laws of marriage; like a couple could take the man or women's last name, rather than just man's, as well as marriage was made obtainable outside of the Catholic church. One of the last greater changes that this Code entailed was divorce was made much easier, this was linked to marriage being separated from religion due to divorce being a sin in the eyes of the Church. This Code also later expanded to abortion being legalized in 1920.

Britannica. Volume 28. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago, 1986.(998)

McElvanney, Katie. "Women and the Russian Revolution." British Library. Accessed February 13, 2022. https://www.bl.uk/russian-revolution/articles/women-and-the-russian-revolution.

-Julia Dlugosz

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1918-1921- Civil War Reds vs. Whites war

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1918-1921- Civil War Reds vs. Whites war

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The civil war between the Reds and Whites was a war over the future of Russia, but also a battle between who would control that future. Once Lenin withdrew from WW1, the Western Allies quickly went to support his apposing competition, the Whites, with whatever financial or material needs they had. The Whites was a group made up of monarchists, capitalists, and democratic socialists, in other words the bourgeoisie, nobility, and clergy. Their overall all goal having been to overthrow the Reds which was Lenin's army of workers, soldiers, and peasants led by Trotsky. Although it seemed the odds were quite against Lenin the Reds finished this war victorious due to Lenin's leadership skills, and ability to have created allies. Lenin gave non-Russian nationalities within Russia the right to self determination, and although this group did not fight in the battle they were on Lenin's side without question of betrayal. He also gained support from workers by giving them much rights like the decrees on land, legitimizing the workers rights, removing legal class privileges and inheritance, and separating church and state. The end of this civil war brought the ultimate demise of any internal oppositional groups, but it also lead to ANYONE who opposed Lenin or Bolshevik dictatorship to have been arrested, tried in show trails, or executed.

Britannica. Volume 28. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago, 1986. (998)

-Julia Dlugosz

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April, 1922 - Stalin won an appointment as the General Secretary of the Communist Party

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April, 1922 - Stalin won an appointment as the General Secretary of the Communist Party

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Stalin had worked his way to power by attending meeting for the "Russian Social Democrats" in attempts to "expropriate" their funds, and obtain knowledge for the Bolsheviks. His had work had finally payed off when Lenin promoted Stalin to serve for "the first Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party". Stalin was later sent to the camps in Siberia from 1913-1917, but as soon as he arrived back in Russia he worked to regain governmental power and was appointed to Commissar for Nationalities in 1917, and later Commissar for State Control in 1919. It was clear Stalin was determined and hard headed which is likely won him his role as General Secretary of the Communist Party, but it also was a trait that made him entrust worthy to Lenin. Stalin later proved Lenin's concern in how Stalin used his power to dictate over the Russian people in a ruthless fashion, and disregard all Lenin had said in his testimony. If Stalin was never given such a high role in government the outcome of the Russian Revolution would have been completely incomparable to the reality of what happened proceeding Lenin's death.

Britannica School, s.v. "Joseph Stalin," accessed February 13, 2022, https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Joseph-Stalin/108469.

-Julia Dlugosz

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Russian Influence Over the Rest of the World

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Russian Influence Over the Rest of the World

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As Russia continued expanding their ideology and new civil rights for their people, their ideas were also largely influencing the rest of the world. Many countries were also under strong control of Russia, like Bulgaria, Poland and Finland just to name a few. Although these countries were their own separate from Russia, Russia was able to take people from these countries and send them away to Siberia,  prison, or in worst case scenario death, if they rebelled against Russian control. Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia did not have these same controls, but their government was also coming to accepting communism due to Russian influence. This political cartoon was written to stress Russia's power over the rest of the world, and because Russia was controlled by Stalin, he was at the head of spreading communism. This being shown by him reaching his arms out to the rest of Europe and trying to plant communist flags, thus not only effecting the Russian people, but millions of others around the world.

Leslie, Soviet Russia, 06/16, 1947, Illingworth, London: Solo Syndication, 1947

-Julia Dlugosz

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Ultimately what Lenin wanted was to prevent the creation of an "imperialist united front" contra the Soviet Russia, and to inspire proletarian revolutions around the world. In his dying years he came to the realization that he had drifted from his original ideology, and had let his determination for peace become the reasoning behind the death of millions. Lenin worked until the day he could no longer speak in attempt to have fixed what he had done knowing that he would pass away soon, and in fear that his successor would be Trotsky or Stalin. Lenin had written a testament explaining how he believed Stalin should under no circumstances be entrusted with that "large amount of power", and while Trotsky would be most fit he was "too self-assured". Lenin trusted Trotsky to stop Stalin from taking charge, but upon Lenin's death Trotsky was lied to about the details of the funeral, and once he returned to Russia Stalin took to power. It was too late for Trotsky to uphold Lenin's dying wish, and this had ultimately lead to the horror that Joesph Stalin brought upon the Russian people.

Britannica. Volume 22. Chicago, USA: University of Chicago, 1986.(950)

Britannica School, s.v. "Lenin’s Testament," accessed February 13, 2022, https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Lenins-Testament/47753.

-Julia Dlugosz

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This photo is my grandfather's class in Siberia during the aftermath of Stalin's rule. He can seen in the background of the photo. During the time of the revolution my great grandmother was sent to Siberia because she was a doctor from a wealthily Russian family. My grandfather was sent as well because he was in the Polish militia. Siberia was where they met, married, and raised my grandfather. People sent to Siberia were completely exiled, to live in the coldest conditions, with no foreseeable way home to their past lives or families. The only option was to make do, and create new lives for themselves the best they could. For decades, people suffered in these camps, but new families and societies were formed. Although not a single child was smiling in the photo, this was their school and what would be considered their childhood memories. It was not until 1956, when my grandfather was 7 years old, that their family was saved by the Red Cross Organization which aided in their return to Poland. Sadly, for my great grandmother a return to Russia would not be possible due to the loss of her original family and all their wealth, but she went with her new family to Poland.

-Julia Dlugosz

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For the first time an attempt was made to give equal rights in economic security, and education to the vast majority of people; including the workers, the peasants, the women, and the minorities without regard to privilege. In theory people were supposed to be getting equal rights, but in practice ultimately the experiment was a failure, and lead to the deaths of millions first under the rule of Lenin and later many more millions under the rule of Stalin. Equality lead to the disposition and idealogical enslavement of the Russian people and many other nations around the world. The Communist Revolution simply replaced one form of dictatorship with another which defied the point of the revolution to begin with. In all, yes, the revolution furthered thinking about human rights, but at a cost that should always be considered unacceptable.

-Julia Dlugosz