Alexander II worked to modernize and reform Russia, He freed peasants and created a plan for a Parliament
Alexander III undid his fathers reforms, forbid protests and took away civil liberties
Lenin begins to study Karl Marx's communist theory of a violent revolution by the working class to overthrow the middle class
Russia is still very agricultural, but beginning to industrialize
Peasants flood cities looking for work, but work day is long, wages are low, strikes are forbidden=growing unrest
Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War made people angry at the government
Bloody Sunday-Tsar's troops fire at protestors
Tsar Nicholas makes reforms to voting rights, forming Duma
World War I breaks out bringing new pressure on the government, ill equipped and short of food the troops begin to revolt
Tsar Nicholas abdicates in March 1917; Romanov dynasty ends; Provisional government established
Petrograd soviet forms (group of workers and soldiers) work towards claiming power
Lenin returns to Russia promising "Peace, Land, and Bread"
Second Russian Revolution in October 1917 establishes Lenin and communists in power
Lenin's government takes over factories and land; food production decreases and government seizes grain
Lenin takes Russia out of WWI; Civil War breaks out in Russia
Lenin forms a security force, the Cheka, to arresting all opponents, rioters, and army deserters
In 1921 Lenin announces he is making changes too fast and begins the New Economic Policy
New Economic Policy restores small businesses and agricultural production increases
Lenin is criticized for backing off of communist policies
Lenin dies and is replaced by Stalin
