History & the Novel Russia & the Rise of Stalin: Key Timeline,

Civil War in Russia Introduction of Terror and War Communism Bolshevik victory 1920 Kronstadt Uprising – Red Navy protest against Party Dictatorship Lenin’s introduction of NEP – effectively return of moderate liberalism and capitalism 1924 – 29 Lenin’s death; Struggle for power begins 1929 Stalin emerges as sole leader Collectivization Programme begins - accompanied by ‘dekulakization’ 5 year Plans for industry begins: aims to modernise Russia rapidly - but enormous human costs

Assassination of Kirov, Stalin’s friend and Leningrad Party Organiser - blamed on ‘enemies within’ Mass terror and ‘show trials’ launched. All surviving original Bolsheviks executed Military elites purged General population purged New ‘Liberal’ Constitution introduced Cult of Stalin grows Terror dies down (temporarily) as Secret Police blamed (& leaders purged) Stalin signs Nazi-Soviet Pact, keeps Russia out of war for first year – to great surprise of Britain Nazis invade Russia Russia participates in ‘Great Patriotic War’ Terror continues on lesser scale

1945 Cold war begins Eastern bloc created as Russia extends political and economic control in Eastern Europe 1953 Stalin dies – while plotting further Terror Leadership Struggle – Reformist Khrushchev emerges as victor