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| 1905, Jan 22 |
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| Bloody Sunday was marked by bloodshed and by the emergence of the workers as a factor in the movement. Workers led by Father Gapon proceeded to the palace in St. Petersburg to lay their demands before the tsar; they were fired on by troops—70 were killed and 240 wounded. The result was growing indignation, unrest, and an epidemic of strikes. | 1 |
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| March 3 |
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| The tsar announced his intention to convoke a “consultative” assembly. Further concessions included an edict of religious toleration, permission to use the Polish language in Polish schools, relief for the Jews, and the cancellation of part of the redemption payments. | 2 |
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| May 8 |
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| The organization of the Union of Unions, under the chairmanship of Prof. Paul Miliukov, brought together all the liberal groups in a renewed demand for parliamentary government and the institution of universal suffrage. | 3 |
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| June–Aug |
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| Increasing unrest and disorder continued throughout the country: strikes, agrarian outbreaks, national movements in the border provinces, and mutinies in the army and navy (Potemkin episode). | 4 |
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| Aug. 19 |
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| The tsar yielded to popular pressure and published a manifesto creating the imperial Duma (assembly), to be elected by a limited franchise and with deliberative powers only. This concession was far too modest to meet the popular demand, and the revolutionary movement became more widespread until it culminated in a general strike. | 5 |
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| Oct. 20–30 |
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| The GENERAL STRIKE was a spontaneous movement in which elements throughout the country joined. | 6 |
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| Oct. 26 |
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| The St. Petersburg workers formed the first soviet (council) to direct the strike. This was essentially a moderate socialist organization and had relatively little influence on the course of events. The strike soon paralyzed the government and forced the tsar to yield further. Pobiedonostsev and other reactionary ministers were obliged to resign, and Nicholas, advised by Witte (who had been disgraced in 1903, but had been restored to favor after the conclusion of the Treaty of Portsmouth (See Sept. 5) with Japan), issued the October Manifesto. | 7 |
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| Oct. 30 |
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| THE OCTOBER MANIFESTO granted Russia a constitution: the projected Duma was to have real legislative power, the franchise was to be greatly extended, and civil liberties were guaranteed. Witte was appointed the prime minister. | 8 |
| The manifesto satisfied all the more moderate liberal groups, but appeared inadequate to those who had called for a constituent assembly. The immediate effect of the government's capitulation was, therefore, to split the liberal group; the moderates became known as the Octoberist Party, while the progressives took the name Constitutional Democratic Party (abbreviated to K.D., Cadet). The Social Democrats rejected the whole program of the government, and the St. Petersburg soviet (with branches opened in many cities) attempted several times to organize another strike. The sole effect of this policy was to drive more of the liberals into the government ranks. At the same time Witte made every effort to bring back the troops from the Far East. | 9 |
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| Dec. 16 |
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| When Witte felt sufficiently strong, he had the members of the St. Petersburg soviet (about 190) arrested, which led to insurrection. | 10 |
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| Dec. 22–1906, Jan. 1 |
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| INSURRECTION OF THE WORKERS IN MOSCOW. Severe street fighting and much bloodshed resulted. But the troops remained loyal to the government, and the uprising was finally suppressed. The army undertook vigorous action during the winter to restore order in the provinces (the Black Hundreds—punitive raids). Meanwhile, Witte arranged to float a huge loan ($400 million) in France and Britain, so that, when the Duma met, the government would not be dependent on representatives of the people for funds. | 11 |
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