Russian Cultural Studies: An Introduction

This chronology is not intended to be exhaustive, and emphasizes cultural rather than political history, chronologies of which are relatively widely available -- see e.g. G. Hosking, A History of the Soviet Union: Final Edition ( London, 1992). Unless otherwise stated, the organization within years is thematic rather than chronological, such that major national and international political events are followed by changes in domestic and cultural policies, important events in the arts and popular culture, etc.

1917 Food riots in Petrograd initiate revolution

Abdication of Nicholas II; formation of the Provisional Government (February)

Women granted the vote (March)

Lenin returns from exile (April)

1st All-Russian Congress of Soviets (June)

'July days' in Petrograd (July)

Bolsheviks take control; 2nd All-Russian Congress of Soviets (October-December)

Decrees on peace (October: armistice with Germany instituted in December), land ownership (October), Rights of the People of Russia (November), workers' control (November), reintroduction of press censorship (abolished by the Provisional Government: November), civil marriage (December)

Institution of Cheka (Emergency Committee for the suppression of counterrevolution) (December)

Creation of Narkompros (People's Commissariat of Enlightenment); Anatolii Lunacharskii becomes Minister of Culture (December)

New orthography made mandatory for all state and government organizations (December)

1918 Socialist revolution in Germany and proclamation of the Republic there

Secession of Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaidjan

Beginning of Russian Civil War

Suppression of the Constituent Assembly (January)

Separation of Church and State

Proclamation of Red Terror

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