Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Revolution

The Volynskii Regiment fires on the crowd killing 40

The first Joint Plenum of the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies issues Soviet Order No. 1: all soldiers units will elect Soldiers Committee's & the decree stipulates that soldiers will now accept orders from the Soldiers Soviet

Formation of the Moscow Soviet

The first Joint Plenum of the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies issues Soviet Order No. 1: all soldiers units will elect Soldiers Committee's & the decree stipulates that soldiers will now accept orders from the Soldiers Soviet

Duma & Soviet representitives reach agreement on the basis of an 8 point program

Lenins Letters from Afar, are published, though highly abridged

Lenin, Zinoviev, and other Bolsheviks arrive in Petrograd from exile in Switzerland, they are met at the train station by a large contigent of jubilent workers, soldiers, and party members

Kerensky wishes to convene the Constituent Assembly to institute more Liberal reforms

Lenin, Zinoviev, and other Bolsheviks arrive in Petrograd from exile in Switzerland, they are met at the train station by a large contigent of jubilent workers, soldiers, and party members

At Byelo-Ostrov Station, Finland Railway, Stalin, Ulyanova and a delegation of Petrograd and Sestroretsk working men and women meet Lenin on his return from exile and accompany him to Petrograd

Lenin arrives at Finland Station after returning from exile and immediately challenges support for the Provisional Government.

Calls for all power to pass to the Soviets.

Asserts that Russia is "passing from the first stage of the revolutionwhich, owing to the insufficient class consciousness and organisation of the proletariat, placed power in the hands of the bourgeoisieto its second stage, which must place power in the hands of the proletariat and

Calls for a new "revolutionary International, an International against the social-chauvinists and against the Center" which later becomes the Comintern (Third International) formed in 1919.

Condemns the Provisional Government as bourgeois and urges "no support" for it, as "the utter falsity of all its promises should be made clear" & condemns World War I as a "predatory imperialist war" and the "revolutionary defensism" of foreign social democrat parties, calling for

In Russian the "Aprelskiye Tezisy", the April Theses formed a programme developed by Lenin during the 1917 Russian Revolution in which Lenin calls for Soviet control of the state & When published the theses contributed to the July Days rising and to the subsequent coup

Lenin delivers his April Thesis, states that Russia will become a republic of soviets.

Lenin succeeded in persuading the Bolsheviks of his arguments as laid out in the April Theses and they provided much of the ideological groundwork that later led to the October Revolution.

The April Theses are published in the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda and read by Lenin at two meetings of the All-Russia Conference of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies.

of October 1917, bringing the Bolsheviks to power.

revolutionary defeatism.

the poorest sections of the peasants"

In Russian the "Aprelskiye Tezisy", the April Theses formed a programme developed by Lenin during the 1917 Russian Revolution in which Lenin calls for Soviet control of the state & When published the theses contributed to the July Days rising and to the subsequent coup

Lenin succeeded in persuading the Bolsheviks of his arguments as laid out in the April Theses and they provided much of the ideological groundwork that later led to the October Revolution.

The April Theses are published in the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda and read by Lenin at two meetings of the All-Russia Conference of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies.

of October 1917, bringing the Bolsheviks to power

In the April Theses Lenin calls for a new "revolutionary International, an International against the social-chauvinists and against the Center" which later becomes the Comintern (Third International) formed in 1919. Calls for a new "revolutionary International, an International against the social-chauvinists and against the Center" which later becomes the Comintern (Third International) formed in 1919

In the April Theses Lenin calls for a new "revolutionary International, an International against the social-chauvinists and against the Center" which later becomes the Comintern (Third International) formed in 1919. Calls for a new "revolutionary International, an International against the social-chauvinists and against the Center" which later becomes the Comintern (Third International) formed in 1919

The April Theses are published in the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda and read by Lenin at two meetings of the All-Russia Conference of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies

Lenin presents the April Theses, rejecting support for the Provisional Government and demanding transfer of power to the Soviets.

Condemns the Provisional Government as bourgeois and urges "no support" for it, as "the utter falsity of all its promises should be made clear" & condemns World War I as a "predatory imperialist war" and the "revolutionary defensism" of foreign social democrat parties, calling for revolutionary defeatism

Publication of "The April Theses"

His April Theses help shape slogans later used during the July Days.

1st Bolshevik demonstrations in Petrograd & Moscow

1st Bolshevik demonstrations in Petrograd & Moscow

The Bolsheviks organize the Red Guard

The Bolsheviks organize the Red Guard

Offers the "internationalist" Mensheviks a place on the editorial board of Pravda

Offers the "internationalist" Mensheviks a place on the editorial board of Pravda

Offers the "internationalist" Mensheviks a place on the editorial board of Pravda

Bolsheviks use Soviet meetings to press their slogan.

Milyukov resigns, members of the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries join the Government

Milyukov resigns, members of the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries join the Government

1st Alln Congress of Soviets opens

The First All Congress of Workers and Soldiers Soviets opens

The Bolsheviks hold back from a coup

The Bolsheviks hold back from a coup

Bolshevik slogans dominate the mass demonstration.

Criticises the Provisional Government as war weariness intensifies.

The July Days refer to events that take place in Petrograd, Russia, between 3 July and 7 July (Julian calendar) (16 July 20 July, Gregorian calendar), when soldiers and industrial workers engage in spontaneous demonstrations against the Russian Provisional Government

Tries to assess whether the movement is premature.

Faces accusations that Bolsheviks are serving German interests.

The failed demonstrations force Bolshevik leaders onto the defensive.

Avoids arrest as attacks on Bolshevik offices intensify.

Hides near Razliv after the government issues arrest orders.

Travels to Finland for a rest

Prepares to flee toward Finland while avoiding arrest.

Remains underground as the Bolshevik Party retreats tactically.

The machine gunners appeal met with a favorable response from the soldiers of the Moscow, Pavlovsky, Grenadiers, and 1st Reserve regiments who march to demonstrate under the slogan All Power to the Soviets

Machine-gunners and radical activists prepare demonstrations demanding Soviet power.

The Kadets walk out of the Russian Provisional Government, threatening the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) with the breakup of the Government coalition and a Government crisis results

The Kadets walk out of the Russian Provisional Government, threatening the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) with the breakup of the Government coalition and a Government crisis results

Demonstrations begin among soldiers of the First Machine-Gun Regiment.

The July Days begin as soldiers and workers protest against the Provisional Government.

Workers and soldiers demand Soviet power as disorder spreads through Petrograd.

The Bolsheviks decide to provide leadership to the movement in order to give it an organized and peaceful character so.

The demands which the workers and soldiers take to the streets with in the July Days are influenced by the Bolshevik Party All Power to the Soviets.

during the afternoon of 17 July a peaceful demonstration of 500,000 workers, soldiers, and sailors under the slogan All Power to the Soviets is held.

The demonstration is organized by the Bolshevik Military Organisation without initial authorization from the Central Committee after pressure from rank and file soldiers

The Bolsheviks decide to provide leadership to the movement in order to give it an organized and peaceful character so during the afternoon of 17 July a peaceful demonstration of 500,000 workers soldiers

The demands which the workers and soldiers take to the streets with in the July Days are influenced by the Bolshevik Party All Power to the Soviets.

The demonstration is organized by the Bolshevik Military Organisation without initial authorization from the Central Committee after pressure from rank and file soldiers.

and sailors under the slogan All Power to the Soviets is held

Anti-government demonstrations also spread beyond Petrograd to Moscow and other cities.

Bolsheviks try to give the mass movement a more organised and peaceful direction.

Government troops fire on demonstrators and the Soviet supports punitive measures.

The Bolshevik Military Organisation helps organise the armed demonstration.

The Central Committee tries to restrain the developing street movement.

Workers and soldiers march under the slogan All Power to the Soviets.

The military authorities send troops against the demonstration, leaving more than 700 people killed and wounded & the SRs and Mensheviks support punitive measures against the July Days insurgents. The Mensheviks oppose the demonstrations during the July Days

The offices and printing plant of Pravda and the headquarters of the Bolshevik Central Committee are destroyed

An arrest order forces Lenin underground after Bolshevik offices are attacked.

The offices and printing plant of Pravda and the headquarters of the Bolshevik Central Committee are destroyed

The Provisional Government issues an order for the arrest of Lenin, who is forced to go underground

Bolshevik recovery inside Soviets strengthens his position.

Writes to the Central Committee saying that the time is ripe for the seizure of power

Revives the slogan "all power to the Soviets"

Revives the slogan "all power to the Soviets"

Writes to the Central Committee a for a 2nd time urging it to seize power. Does not receive a reply from the Central Comm & threatens to resign

Urges Bolsheviks to prepare seizure of power through Soviet organs.

States that after capitalism "universal labour service" is the order of the day

Lenin secretly returns to Petrograd to press the Bolshevik leadership toward an immediate armed seizure of power.

Lenin persuades the Bolshevik Central Committee to approve preparations for an armed insurrection.

The Central Committee votes 10 to 2 for armed insurrection

Lenin and Stalin attend a meeting of the Party Central Committee where Lenins resolution on armed insurrection is approved and a 7 man Political Bureau of the CC headed by Lenin and Stalin is setup to direct the uprising

The Bolshevik Congress summons a 2nd Congress of Soviets

The Bolshevik Congress of Soviets of the Northern region opens. The Bolshevik Congress forms a "Northern Regional Committee"

The Bolshevik Congress summons a 2nd Congress of Soviets

The Bolshevik Congress of Soviets of the Northern region opens

The Bolshevik Congress forms a "Northern Regional Committee"

Approves the creation of the Military Revolutionary Committee

Declares military staff to be "Counter revolutionary"

23-24 October, negotiates with the military staff

The Government occupies Petrograd & closes down Bolshevik newspapers

The Government occupies Petrograd & closes down Bolshevik newspapers

Lenin and Stalin direct the October armed uprising

Returns secretly as the Soviet-backed uprising begins.

Completes the occupation of Moscow

Declares the triumph of the workers & peasants revolution in Petrograd

The 2nd alln Congress of Soviets proclaims transfer of power to the Soviets

The 2nd alln Congress of Soviets proclaims transfer of power to the Soviets

The 2nd alln Congress of Soviets proclaims transfer of power to the Soviets. Declares the Provisional Government deposed

Lenin and Stalin direct the Second Alln Congress of Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies

Declares the Provisional Government deposed

Lenin announces that the Provisional Government has been overthrown as the Bolsheviks consolidate control of Petrograd.

The Bolsheviks open the 2nd Congress of Soviets

The Military Revolutionary Council troops seize the Kremlin

The military revolutionary Council troops seize the Winter Palace

Appointed Chairman of the Council of Peoples Commissars

The Bolsheviks open the 2nd Congress of Soviets

Congress approves the Council of Peoples Commissars

Lenin becomes chairman of the Council of People's Commissars created by the Second Congress of Soviets.

Lenin presents the Decree on Land abolishing private landed estates and transferring land for local redistribution.

Lenin presents the Decree on Peace calling for immediate negotiations toward a democratic peace without annexations or indemnities.

The Death Penalty abolished

Lenin's government faces an armed challenge from Kerensky and Krasnov during the early consolidation of Bolshevik power.

The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government on the eve of the meeting of Second All Congress of Soviets

The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government on the eve of the meeting of Second All Congress of Soviets. Power is given to the 2nd Congress of Soviets but withdrawn after Lenins opposition

The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government on the eve of the meeting of Second All Congress of Soviets

The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government on the eve of the meeting of Second All Congress of Soviets

Bolshevik forces gain control of Moscow after prolonged street fighting against forces loyal to the former government.

Lenin wrote a proclamation calling Zinoviev and Kamenev "deserters", he never forgot their behavior, eventually making an ambiguous reference to their "October episode" in his Testament

The Soviets sieze power in Petrograd

Overthrows the Kerensky Government

The Bolshevik land decree abolishes private landed property and transfers land to peasant use

The Soviet government issues a decree establishing workers' control over production, accounting and enterprise administration.

The Bolsheviks win 175 seats out of 707. In the Constituent Assembly elections the Bolsheviks win 9.8 of 41.7 million votes

The Socialist Revolutionaries win 17.5 million votes. The Bolsheviks win 175 seats out of 707. In the Constituent Assembly elections the Bolsheviks win 9.8 of 41.7 million votes

Bolsheviks decree the creation of Workers Committee's at placres of work

In all enterprises of "state importance" all matters should be deferred to the state. Bolsheviks decree the creation of Workers Committee's at placres of work

Outlaws the Cadet Party

The Soviet government creates the Cheka to combat counter-revolution and sabotage.

The Soviet Commissars declare war on the Cossack chiefs

Drafts the peace proposals for the Brest Litovsk negotiations

The Red Guard occupies private banks & a decree is passed to nationalize them

The Soviet government nationalizes private banks and strengthens state control over the financial system.

An armistice halts fighting between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers while formal peace negotiations continue.

The Vesenkha gains control over Government finance of industry & wages state wages

The Vesenkha gains control over Government finance of industry & wages state wages

The Vesenkha gains control over Government finance of industry & state wages

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies

The Ukrainian Council proclaims Ukrainian independence

The Ukrainian Council proclaims Ukrainian independence

The Vesenkha decrees each region establish a Council of National Economy (Sovnarkhoz)

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies

The Vesenkha decrees each region establish a Council of National Economy (Sovnarkhoz)

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies. The Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government on the eve of the meeting of Second All Congress of Soviets. Publication of "Will The Bolsheviks Retain State Power?"

Addresses the Alln Peasant Congress

A Bolshevik decree establishes the Supreme Economic Council over all economic bodies. In the April Theses states that Russia will become a republic of soviets

Attacks the War as an "Imperialist struggle"

Publication of "Will The Bolsheviks Retain State Power?". Publication of "The State & Revolution", officials will receive workers wages. Publication of "The State & Revolution". Publication of "Imperialism the Highest Stage of Capitalism"

States that after capitalism "universal labour service" is the order of the day. At the Alln Peasants Congress speaks for "labour service". At the Alln Peasants Congress asks for workers agricultural units

The Council of Peoples Commissars is founded, the Russian Government

Publication of "Will The Bolsheviks Retain State Power?". Publication of "The State & Revolution", officials will receive workers wages. Publication of "The State & Revolution". Publication of "Imperialism the Highest Stage of Capitalism"

Publication of "Will The Bolsheviks Retain State Power?". Publication of "The State & Revolution", officials will receive workers wages. Publication of "The State & Revolution". Publication of "Imperialism the Highest Stage of Capitalism"

Publication of "Will The Bolsheviks Retain State Power?". Publication of "The State & Revolution", officials will receive workers wages. Publication of "The State & Revolution". Publication of "Imperialism the Highest Stage of Capitalism"

A failed attempt is made on Lenins life

The Constituent Assembly in which the Bolsheviks are a minority meets for one day before being suppressed

The Constituent Assembly in which the Bolsheviks are a minority meets for one day before being suppressed

The Bolshevik government prevents the Constituent Assembly from reconvening after its single contentious session.

Dissolves the Constituent Assembly & "establishes the dictatorship of the proletariat"

Proclaims the Soviet Russian Republic. Passes the "declaration of the rights of the toiling & exploited masses"

Sets up battalions for civil defense duties for digging trenches & surveillance

The Congress adopts the Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People as a statement of Soviet political principles.

The Soviet government decrees creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army on a voluntary basis.

Issues a decree abolishing the Constituent Assembly

Issues a decree abolishing the Constituent Assembly

The Soviet government issues a decree separating church and state and removing the church's privileged legal position.

Church property is confiscated & all religious instruction in the schools abolished

Church property is confiscated & all religious instruction in the schools abolished

Church property is confiscated & all religious instruction in the schools abolished

Repudiates foreign & domestic debts

The Soviet government adopts the Gregorian calendar, bringing Russian civil dating into line with Western Europe.

Relations are severed with Romania

Declaration of the USSR

The Bolsheviks resolve that the Trades Unions become "organs of the socialist state"

Congress of Soviets makes the Declaration of Rights of the Toiling & Exploited People

Workers control is shifted from Factory Committee's to Trades Unions. The Bolsheviks resolve that the Trades Unions become "organs of the socialist state". Factory Committee's should be subject to the Alln Council of Workers control

Introduces "universal labor obligation"

Congress of Soviets makes the Declaration of Rights of the Toiling & Exploited People

The 3rd All-Russian Congress proclaims factories, mines & transport state property. The Merchant Fleet is taken over by decree

Issues the "Declaration of the Rights of the Toiling & Exploited Masses"

Lenin confronts renewed German military advances after the Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations break down.

Lenin secures Bolshevik acceptance of harsh German peace terms as enemy forces advance rapidly into former imperial territory.

The Bolshevik Party is renamed the Russian Communist Party. Opening of the 7th Congress of the Bolshevik Party

Opening of the 7th Congress of the Bolshevik Party

The Bolshevik Party is renamed the Russian Communist Party

Lenin defends the Brest-Litovsk settlement when the Seventh Party Congress opens.

Peoples Courts are introduced

Peoples Courts are introduced

Cuts links with the discredited Social Democratic Party. 7th Congress resolution changes the name of the Bolshevik Party to the Communist Party

7th Congress resolution changes the name of the Bolshevik Party to the Communist Party

Cuts links with the discredited Social Democratic Party

Lenin and the Soviet government leave Petrograd for Moscow because the former capital is vulnerable to German attack.

The 3rd Congress of Soviets ratifies the Treaty of Brest Litovsk

Lenin secures ratification of the Brest-Litovsk treaty by the Fourth All-Russian Congress of Soviets.

The Bolshevik Government moves to Moscow

The Bolshevik Government moves to Moscow

Peoples Courts are introduced

A Decree outlaws the purchase & leasing of industrial & commercial business. A Decree compels all securities & bonds to be registered with the Government

The Soviet government introduces compulsory military training for workers as it builds a more disciplined Red Army.

Inheritance is abolished

Bolshevik troops open fire on workers protesting at food shortages in the town of Kolpino

Bolshevik troops open fire on workers protesting at food shortages in the town of Kolpino

The Soviet government strengthens emergency grain procurement powers as urban food shortages worsen.

Lenin's government faces a widening military crisis as clashes with the Czechoslovak Legion spread along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The Soviet government introduces compulsory military service as the civil war expands and volunteer recruitment proves insufficient.

Helps found the Vesenkha to control the economy at the Alln Congress

The sugar industry is nationalized. The oil industry is nationalized

Helps found the Vesenkha to control the economy at the Alln Congress

The Soviet government creates Committees of Poor Peasants to support grain procurement and weaken wealthier village households.

The Soviet government nationalizes major industrial enterprises as state control of the wartime economy expands.

Issues a decree nationalizing all major areas of industry

Issues the decree nationalising large-scale industry during War Communism

A Congress Opens in Moscow & approves the Soviet Constitution

Lenin is seriously wounded by gunfire after addressing workers at the Michelson factory in Moscow.

One bullet hits his neck & another hits his collarbone. An attempt on Lenins life as 3 shots are fired during an address at a labour rally

The Petrograd Cheka Chief is assassinated

The Red Army search for suspects & Kronstadt sailors shoot 500 hostages. The Petrograd Cheka Chief is assassinated

The Red Army search for suspects & Kronstadt sailors shoot 500 hostages

Launch of the red terror to massacre prisoners & hostages throughout Bolshevik Russia

Launch of the red terror to massacre prisoners & hostages throughout Bolshevik Russia

The Soviet government formally announces the Red Terror amid civil-war violence and attacks on Bolshevik leaders.

Lenin writes to Sverdlov & Trotsky saying that international revolution is imminent & urges preparations for a 3 million man Army

All domestic trade is nationalized

Shops are closed & their inventory used for barter with the peasants. All domestic trade is nationalized

The Soviet government annuls the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk after Germany's defeat in the First World War.

Issues a decree establishing Workers Committee's in enterprises with 5 or more workers

Lenin chairs the Council of Workers' and Peasants' Defence created to coordinate the Soviet war effort.

The Soviet government ends the separate Committees of Poor Peasants and merges their functions into local soviets.

A Labour Code providing for males & females between 16 & 50 to render "labor service"

The Soviet government adopts a labour code regulating compulsory labour obligations and employment under the new state system.

The Congress of Soviets cede their primacy of power to the Government

Workers must register with Labour Exchanges if unemployed. Labour exchanges are set up by decree. Employers can only employ labour through Labour Exchanges