Russian Revolution (1917): Timeline

Events Leading up to the Russian Revolution

Russo-Japan War (1904-1905): Russia's attempt to invade the east
-Russia attempted to invade Manchuria and Korea
-They were defeated by Japan which caused a political divide in the country because this was the first time any European country had lost a battle with an Eastern country.

1905 October Manifesto: Russia's first constitution...sort of!
-Against his will, Nikolai Romanov adheared to the wishes of the working class
-created the State Duma, an elected parlimentry body
*Problem-Nikolai spent the following years stripping the Duma of its power so he could retain autocracy

Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914): Murdered by Serbian political activists
-Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia and Serbia turns to Russia for help
-Nickolai saw it as a chance to unite the Russian people once again after the embarassing defeat of the Russo-Japan war.
Outcome: It didn't work...created a further divide

The Revolution (February 23 1917): culmination of a century of civil and military unrest directed at the Tsar and aristocrats
Causes:
-Cruel treatment of peasants by Tsar and aristrocrates
-Poor working conditions for those in the industrial economy
-Social awareness of democracy from the west
-Food shortages
-Military failures

Story:
-All workers abandoned their factories and went on strike
-When Nikolai ordered the military to intervene, they turned against the Tsar and joined the demonstration instead
-After failing to hand over power to his brother Micheal (who refused to take the position unless elected by the Duma), Tsar Nikolai was forced to resign leaving Russia with no head of state.
-After his resignation, leading members of the Duma set up a provisoal government until a more permanent leader and political system could be voted on.
-Gave Lenin the opportunity to step into power