Chronology: Key Events in Tsarist Russia, 1855–1917

1855 Accession of Alexander II during Crimean War.

1856 Alexander called for reform of serfdom, as a prelude to other reforms.

1861 Emancipation Act, the beginning of a long and complex process of freeing the serfs.

1863 Reform of the universities. Polish revolt against Russian rule, often seen as marking a more cautious approach to reform.

1864 Judicial reforms and the creation of zemstva or local assemblies.

1865 Relaxation of censorship.

1870 Creation of elected local government.

1873–74 ‘To the People’ movement, with radicals trying to win over the peasants to a form of socialism.

1874 Military reforms reducing the length of service.

1881 Assassination of Alexander II and accession of Alexander III, seen as beginning a period of strong reaction against reform.

1889 Creation of Land Captains to strengthen control over the peasantry.

1890 Zemstvo franchise restricted, strengthening central authority.

1894 Death of Alexander III and accession of Nicholas II.

1905 Russian Revolution. October Manifesto issued, helping the Tsar restore order.

1906 First Duma elected, fulfilling the Tsar’s promise. But the Fundamental Law emphasises Tsarist power.

1907 Second and Third Dumas elected, after manipulation by the Government.

1911 Assassination of Stolypin, one of the Tsar’s more able ministers.

1912 Lena Goldfields massacre.

1913 Fourth Duma elected.

1914 Outbreak of First World War.

1917 Feb (old style calendar)/March (new style calendar): First Revolution of 1917: Tsar abdicates and Provisional Government takes over.

Apr: Lenin returns to Russia to assume active command of the Bolsheviks.

May: Several Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries join the Government.

July: Failure of Russian offensive against Germany. Days disturbances lead to Lenin fleeing to Finland. Kerensky becomes prime minister.

Sept: Attempted takeover by General Kornilov is defeated with Bolshevik help. Lenin calls for immediate revolution.

Oct: Kamenev and Zinoviev call for caution by the Bolsheviks. Bolsheviks win majorities in Petrograd and Moscow Soviets. Lenin returns to Petrograd and Bolsheviks seize power - the second Russian Revolution of 1917.

Nov: Elections to the long-awaited Constituent Assembly are finally held.