Chronology
A Timeline of Key Events
1613 The first tsar of the Romanov dynasty, Michael I, is elected to the throne.
1648-59 Laws are passed that transform the majority of the Russian peasantry into serfs, meaning that they are effectively owned by the landowners for whom they work.
1689-1725 The reign of Peter the Great, who introduces military conscription and brings the Russian church under state control.
1762-96 Catherine the Great assume the throne, ushering in a "golden age" that sees the expansion of the empire through conquest and diplomacy, the improvement of state administration, education and the legal system and the promotion of Westernisation.
1812 Napolean tries unsuccessfully to conquer Russia.
1848 In Germany, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto.
1854-56 The Crimean War. Great Britain and France defeat Russia's attempt to expand its influence following the decline of the Ottoman Empire.
1855 Alexander II becomes emperor.
1860s The Nihilist movement forms in Russia. Among the ideas of its followers is the advocacy of violence to bring about political change.
1861 The Edict of Emancipation is passed, freeing the serfs from the 'ownership' of their employers. It is a response to the Tsar's fears of a peasant uprising.
1870 Vladimir Lenin is born in Simbirsk.
1881 Alexander II is assassinated by a political group called The People's Will.
1881 Alexander III becomes emperor. He implements a policy of aggressive Russification which he believes will strengthen Russia as a nation.
1894 Nicholas II succeeds to the throne following the sudden death of Alexander III.
1897 The Social Democratic Party is formed, inspired by the theories and writings of Marx and Engels.
1903 The Social Democratic Party splits into two factions: the Bolsheviks (led by Lenin and Alexander Bogdanov) and the Mensheviks (led by Julius Martov).
1904-05 The Russo-Japanese War, sparked by Russia's expansion into Manchuria. Russia is defeated, adding to popular discontent.
1905 Bloody Sunday - a peaceful workers' strike turns violent when the Imperial Guard opens fire on the crowd, killing hundreds and provoking the 1905 Revolution.
1905 In response to the uprisings, the Tsar issues the October Manifesto, in which he pledges to grant basic civil liberties and establishes the State Duma (parliament).
1906 A constitution is created (the Fundamental Laws) in which the promises of the October Manifesto are reflected.
1912 The Lena Goldfields Massacre, in which hundreds of striking workers arefired upon by Imperial soldiers, rekindles the revolutionary spirit among the working classes.
1913 Celebrations take place marking three hundred years of Romanov rule in Russia.
1914 Russia enters World War I, fighting alongside Great Britain and France.
1915 Nicholas II appoints himself Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army.
1916 Rasputin - the influential but unpopular adviser to the royal family - is murdered by members of the Russian aristocracy.
1917 The February Revolution begins with strikes, demonstrations and riots. The army refuses to obey Nicholas II's orders to suppress the riots by force.
1917 Following the collapse of his authority, Nicholas II abdicates. A Provisional Government is formed after Nicholas' brother, Michael, refuses to accept the throne.
1917 Protests against the Provisional Government culminate in the October Revolution. The government is overthrown and the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, take control.
1918 Under the new Bolshevik government, Russia withdraws from World War I and moves its capital to Moscow. The Bolshevik Party is renamed the Communist Party.
1918 After several months of imprisonment, Nicholas II and his family are executed at Yekaterinburg.
1648-59 Laws are passed that transform the majority of the Russian peasantry into serfs, meaning that they are effectively owned by the landowners for whom they work.
1689-1725 The reign of Peter the Great, who introduces military conscription and brings the Russian church under state control.
1762-96 Catherine the Great assume the throne, ushering in a "golden age" that sees the expansion of the empire through conquest and diplomacy, the improvement of state administration, education and the legal system and the promotion of Westernisation.
1812 Napolean tries unsuccessfully to conquer Russia.
1848 In Germany, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto.
1854-56 The Crimean War. Great Britain and France defeat Russia's attempt to expand its influence following the decline of the Ottoman Empire.
1855 Alexander II becomes emperor.
1860s The Nihilist movement forms in Russia. Among the ideas of its followers is the advocacy of violence to bring about political change.
1861 The Edict of Emancipation is passed, freeing the serfs from the 'ownership' of their employers. It is a response to the Tsar's fears of a peasant uprising.
1870 Vladimir Lenin is born in Simbirsk.
1881 Alexander II is assassinated by a political group called The People's Will.
1881 Alexander III becomes emperor. He implements a policy of aggressive Russification which he believes will strengthen Russia as a nation.
1894 Nicholas II succeeds to the throne following the sudden death of Alexander III.
1897 The Social Democratic Party is formed, inspired by the theories and writings of Marx and Engels.
1903 The Social Democratic Party splits into two factions: the Bolsheviks (led by Lenin and Alexander Bogdanov) and the Mensheviks (led by Julius Martov).
1904-05 The Russo-Japanese War, sparked by Russia's expansion into Manchuria. Russia is defeated, adding to popular discontent.
1905 Bloody Sunday - a peaceful workers' strike turns violent when the Imperial Guard opens fire on the crowd, killing hundreds and provoking the 1905 Revolution.
1905 In response to the uprisings, the Tsar issues the October Manifesto, in which he pledges to grant basic civil liberties and establishes the State Duma (parliament).
1906 A constitution is created (the Fundamental Laws) in which the promises of the October Manifesto are reflected.
1912 The Lena Goldfields Massacre, in which hundreds of striking workers arefired upon by Imperial soldiers, rekindles the revolutionary spirit among the working classes.
1913 Celebrations take place marking three hundred years of Romanov rule in Russia.
1914 Russia enters World War I, fighting alongside Great Britain and France.
1915 Nicholas II appoints himself Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army.
1916 Rasputin - the influential but unpopular adviser to the royal family - is murdered by members of the Russian aristocracy.
1917 The February Revolution begins with strikes, demonstrations and riots. The army refuses to obey Nicholas II's orders to suppress the riots by force.
1917 Following the collapse of his authority, Nicholas II abdicates. A Provisional Government is formed after Nicholas' brother, Michael, refuses to accept the throne.
1917 Protests against the Provisional Government culminate in the October Revolution. The government is overthrown and the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, take control.
1918 Under the new Bolshevik government, Russia withdraws from World War I and moves its capital to Moscow. The Bolshevik Party is renamed the Communist Party.
1918 After several months of imprisonment, Nicholas II and his family are executed at Yekaterinburg.