Communism in Russia

Main

Nicholas II becomes Czar

1894

Nicholas was the last Russian Czar before being overthrown by the Bolshevik party.

The Russian Social Democratic Labor Party was established by the Marxists

1898

Karl Marx's followers, the Marxists establish the Social Democratic Labor party. Notable leaders were Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph Stalin.

Lenin leads the Bolsheviks

1903 - 1924

Lenin's reign from when he was assigned leader in 1903 to his death in 1924.

World War I

1914 - 1918

Goverment overthrown, Communism rises

1917 - 1918

Nicholas II and his family are murdered and his reign is ended. The Red Army fights White Russians (anti-communists) and wins. The Bolshevik party is renamed to the Russian Communist Party.

Lenin Dies

1924

Lenin dies of 3 consecutive strokes.

Stalin Comes to Power, Trotsky is Deported

1928

Stalin and Trotsky were next in line to lead the Russian Communist Party, Trotsky ends up being deported to Turkey and later assassinated there.

Stalin Rules the Soviet Union

1928 - 1953

Stalin replaces Lenin until he dies in 1953 of a stroke.

World War II

1939 - 1945

Cold War

1947 - 1991

The US and the USSR are in headlock over communism and nuclear arms. No real military action is taken.

Joseph Stalin Dies, Succeeded by Nikita Krushev

1953

Stalin dies of a stroke and is succeeded by Nikita Krushev.

Krushev in Charge of Soviet Union

1953 - 1964

Sputnik Launched

1957

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.

Russia Builds a Wall Between East and West Berlin

1961

Yuri Gagarin Becomes First Astronaut

1961

The Soviet Union launches the first human into space - Yuri Gagarin.

Cuban Missle Crisis

1962

After America attempts to overthrow Fidel Castro, the USSR builds nuclear bases in Cuba to deter further attacks. It was the closest they came to launching nuclear devices during the Cold War.

Brezhnev In Charge of Soviet Union

1964 - 1985

Krushev replaced by Leonid Brezhnev

1964

Soviet Union backs North Vietname against the US

1965

The USSR supports North Vietnam against the US.

Gorbachev in Charge of Soviet Union

1985 - 1990

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union

1985

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union initiating a campaign of openness called "glasnost" and restructuring called "perestroika"

Chernobryl Nuclear Accident

1986

Nuclear meltdown occurs in nuclear generator in Chernobyl, rendering the area uninhabitable due to radiation.

MIR Space Station Launched

1986

First Soviet space station is launched into orbit.

Berlin Wall is Destroyed

1989

Word got out that Germans could travel between East and West Berlin freely. They overtook the guards and families were reunited.

Russia Withdraws out of Afghanistan