History & the Novel

1. History & the Novel Key Timeline, Russia & the Road to Revolution, 1853 – 1918

2. 1853-56 • Crimean war. Ends in Russian defeat. • Tsar Alexander II recognises need for reform. 1860s & 70s • Tsar Alexander II begins wide ranging liberal reform programme, starting with Emancipation of Serfs (1861) 1880s • Assassination of Alexander II. Succession of Alexander III and new repression 1890s • Russia begins Industrialisation under Chief Minister Witte • Tsar Nicholas II succeeds his father (1894), bringing reform & repression

3. 1904-5 • Russian Defeat in war with Japan. • First Russian Revolution follows • Introduction of Duma follows – new elected central assembly 1906-1912 • Following criticism of Tsar, Duma has its powers reduced • Agricultural reforms under Chief Minister Stolypin • Leads to growth of ‘kulaks’ – rural middle class 1914 • Outbreak of WWI 1915-16 • War creates economic and political crisis in Russia 1917 February Revolution • Tsar forced into abdication by elite led revolt; Replaced by Liberal Provisional Government in loose alliance with Petrograd Soviet

4. 1917 March – September • March: Soviet Order No.1: - Soviet sets clear limits to its support • April: Lenin returns from exile – attacks Provisional Government and its Soviet supporters • May: Cabinet reshuffle – brings Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries (SRs) directly into government, SR leader Kerensky becomes Prime Minister • June: Military Offensive – fails • July: Failed popular uprising – blamed on Bolsheviks • August/September: General Kornilov attempts a coup – Kerensky implicated 1917 October Revolution • Bolsheviks take advantage of crisis to take power. • At first relatively liberal & allow planned elections to take place 1918 • Bolsheviks come second in elections. • Trotsky forcibly closes new elected Assembly with help of Red guards, in name of ‘Soviet Power’. • Dictatorship and Civil War begins