Key Events and Outcomes of World War I and the Russian Revolution

Battle of the Marne

Germany attempted to execute the Schlieffen Plan, which aimed to quickly defeat France and then attack Russia. However, the French successfully halted the German advance at the Battle of the Marne.

Gallipoli Campaign

The British attempted to seize the Dardanelles Strait in order to isolate Turkey, but they were defeated in Gallipoli (1915-1916).

Russian Withdrawal from World War I

The Russian front collapsed due to the Bolshevik Revolution, which caused them to withdraw from the conflict.

United States Enters World War I

When the U.S.A. joined the war on the side of the Allies, it provided significant amounts of supplies and soldiers, which enabled the Allies to win the war.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The Germans made peace with Russia via the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

Paris Peace Conference (PPC)

The Paris Peace Conference produced a series of treaties signed by the defeated countries. It began in early 1919 with 27 participating countries, excluding the Central Powers.

Goals of the Paris Peace Conference

• To prevent the resurgence of Germany as a Great Power.
• To achieve a balance of power among the victors.
• To isolate Russia to avoid the spread of the revolution.

Division of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was divided into four countries: Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.

Independence from Russia

Finland and the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—gained their independence from Russia.

Treaty of Versailles and Germany

In the Treaty of Versailles, Germany and its allies were considered responsible for the war. Germany was required to pay extremely high reparations.

Last Tsar of Russia

Nicholas II

The Duma

The Duma was a parliament that had very limited powers.

Bloody Sunday

On January 9, 1905, crowds marched towards the Winter Palace. They demanded improved living conditions and political reform, but not an end to Tsarism. However, they were violently repressed, and many were killed or wounded on a day that became known as Bloody Sunday.

Provisional Government Formed (February 1917)

On February 27, 1917, the provisional government was formed.

Revolutionary Slogan

Peace, Bread, and Land.

Revolutionary Militias

These militias were known as the Red Guard.

Petrograd Popular Insurrection

Defeats in the war and civil discontent led to a popular insurrection in Petrograd in July.

Changes After the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

After the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, significant changes were implemented:

• Large estates were seized.
• Land was distributed to the peasants.
• Factories were placed under the workers’ control.
• The different nationalities within Russia were granted the right of sovereignty.

Groups Opposing the Revolution

Two different groups joined forces to end the revolution: the Tsarists and the Orthodox Church.

Russian Civil War Duration

The Russian Civil War lasted three years (1918-1921).

Bolsheviks Renamed

The Bolsheviks were renamed the Communist Party.

Spartacist Revolt

The Spartacist Revolt was an unsuccessful attempt to establish a communist regime in Germany.

Russian Support for Slavic States

Russia supported the Slavic states (Serbia and Bulgaria) to prevent them from coming under Austro-Hungarian control.

Central Powers Expansion

The Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers.