1917 10th December
Conference of Brest Litovsk
Drafts the peace proposals for the Brest Litovsk negotiations
Russian Revolution · permanent subject timeline
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The 1918 peace treaty that removed Soviet Russia from the First World War. This page combines historical context with 11 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Russian Revolution collection.
Historical context
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: overview and significance
What happened?
The Bolshevik government negotiated with the Central Powers at Brest-Litovsk and accepted a severe peace in March 1918. Russia left the First World War while surrendering control or claims over extensive territories.
Why was it important?
The treaty fulfilled the Bolsheviks' promise to leave the war but at enormous political and territorial cost. It deepened divisions among revolutionary parties and contributed to the conflicts that widened into civil war.
World History Database records
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk timeline
The records below are selected from the 726-record Russian Revolution collection and rendered as static HTML for reading and indexing.
1917
1917 15th December
Armistice with Central Powers
An armistice halts fighting between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers while formal peace negotiations continue.
1918
1918 18th February
German Offensive Resumes
Lenin confronts renewed German military advances after the Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations break down.
1918 3rd March
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Chicherin signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk for Soviet Russia, formally ending Russia's participation in the First World War.
1918 6th March
Opposition to Brest-Litovsk
Bukharin leads Left Communist opposition to Lenin's policy of accepting the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
1918 6th March
Seventh Party Congress
Lenin defends the Brest-Litovsk settlement when the Seventh Party Congress opens.
1918 14th March
Congress of Soviets
The 3rd Congress of Soviets ratifies the Treaty of Brest Litovsk
1918 15th March
Fourth Congress Ratifies Brest-Litovsk
Lenin secures ratification of the Brest-Litovsk treaty by the Fourth All-Russian Congress of Soviets.
1918 March
Left SR Break with Bolsheviks
Spiridonova condemns the Brest-Litovsk settlement as Left Socialist Revolutionaries break with the Bolshevik government over peace with Germany.
1918 March
Resignation
Resigns from the Vesenkha after failing to stop the Brest Litovsk Treaty
1918 13th November
Brest-Litovsk Treaty Annulled
The Soviet government annuls the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk after Germany's defeat in the First World War.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database Russian Revolution records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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