Timeline 1914-1918

 

1914
	29 June	Anti-Serb riots occur in Bosnia.
	10 July	The Russian minister to Serbia dies at the Austrian Legation in Belgrade.
	20 July	Tsar Nicolas welcomes French President Poincare at Kronstadt.
	21 July	The great Revolutionary Strikes begin.
	24 July	Serbia appeals to the Tsar for help after Austria gives Serbs and ultimatum.  Russian cabinet meets.  Revolutionary movements cause trouble in St. Petersberg.
	25 July	Austria refuses the Russian request for an extension of the ultimatum's deadline.  Russia is conciliatory, but the 13 Corps on the Austro-Russian boarder.
	26 July	Kaiser asks other members of the Entente to keep Russia from going to war.  Russia declares that it will mobilize if Austria crosses the Serbian frontier.
	27 July	Tsar Nicolas contacts Belgrade government and states that Russia cannot be indifferent to the fate of Serbia.  He proposes to Austria that talks can be held over the Serbia issue.
	28 July	Russia also mobilizes its Southern Corps, but tells Germany that they have no aggressive intentions towards them.  Russian ambassador to Vienna states that mobilization orders have been signed.  The Kaiser tells Russia that he will try to influence Austria.  Austria declares war on Serbia.
	29 July	Russians states that since Austria will not hold talks, Great Britain must take initiative.  Tsar attempts to stop Russian mobilization later that night.
	30 July	Russia proposes to Germany to stop mobilizing if Austria eliminates clauses of its ultimatum that restrict Serbian sovereignty.  Germany receives the proposal, but does not inform Austria.  Russia later learns of Austrian full mobilization.  Russia decides to fully mobilize.
	31 July	Russia announces its General Mobilization.  Germans mobilize and  Emperor Wilhelm II threatened war unless Russia demobilizes within 12 hours.  Germany then asks France if she will remain neutral.  France is given 18 hours to give her response.
	1 August	Russia does not reply to the German ultimatum that expired at noon that day.  French mobilize later that afternoon.  Germany declares war on Russia claiming that Russians had crossed its frontier.  Shots were soon fired between French and German border patrols and Italy declared neutrality.
	2 August	Germans move into Russian Poland taking the towns of Kalish, Bendzin, and Chenstokhov.
	3 August	Grand Duke Nicholas is proclaimed the commander of all Russian forces.
	5 August	Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
	8 August	Tsar Nicolas addresses the Duma.
	14 August	Russia issues a proclamation promising to restructure parts of the empire and allow for the autonomous Kingdom of Poland.
	1 September	St. Petersburg is renamed Petrograd.
	5 September	Russia, France, and England make the Agreement of London.  It states that there can be no separate peace with the Central Powers.
	20 October	Germans report taking 107,000 Russian prisoners.
	21 October	The state sale of alcohol is abolished.
	29 October	Russia declares war on Turkey.
	25 November	The Polish National Council in Warsaw issues a manifesto requiring the thorough defeat of Germans.
	24 December	Russia claims that it has taken 134,000 German and 225,000 Austrian prisoners in the war.
1915
	23 April	Russian, French, Italian, and Serbian ministers attend a conference presided over by Sir E. Grey.
	25 June	The Tsar dismisses General Vladimir Sukhomlinov, the minister of war (who was later tried and convicted by the provisional government) and to admit representatives of the duma and other public bodies to direct participation in the work of army supply and the mobilization of industry.  General Polivanov replaces Sukhomlinov.
	30 June	Changes in Russian cabinet Ministry.  It included M. Khvostov as minister of Justice, M Samarin as Procurator of the Holy Synod, and M. Krivoshein.
	1 August	Tsar Nicholas and Kaiser William both issue statements on the first anniversary of the war.
	5 August	The Russian Duma votes to provide  35 million rubles for war refugees.  They also propose a Russian Ministry of Munitions.
	8 August	Germans send peace proposals to Russia through Denmark.  They are rejected by Russia.
	17 August	The Germans claim that they have taken 1,670,000 Russian prisoners of war.
	28 August	Minister Sazonov replies to German attempts to sow dissension among her allies.  He repeats the words of Tsar Nicholas 'that Russia will not make peace with Germany so long as a hostile soldier remains on her soil."  General Polivanov announces that 2,000,000 more men will be mobilized, he also accuses the Allies of not doing all they can to support Russia's war effort.
	2 September	General Polivanov is appointed as Prime Minister in Russia.
	16 September	Meetings of the Duma are deferred until November 14th.
	3 October	Russia issues an ultimatum to Bulgaria.
	19 October	Italy and Russia declare war on Bulgaria.
	1 December	"Transito" Syndicate is formed to send goods to Russia by way of Sweden.
1916
	1 January	Tsar Nicholas is appointed a British Field Marshal.
	1 February	The Russian Premier, Minister Goremykinvn, resigns his position.  Minister Stuermer replaces him.
	22 February	Duma opens, Tsar Nicholas is well received.
	24 February	The German promise of an independent Poland is announced at the Duma.
	6 March	A group of Russian journalists visit England.  The purpose of the visit is to show Russia the British war effort.
	29 March	Russian War Minister General Polivanov resigns, he is succeeded by General Shuvalev.
	22 May	Minister Briand delivers a speech to Russian delegates.  He states that there will be no peace until Germany is punished.
	27 May	Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov makes a statement declaring that Russian-British alliance is eternal, Poland is to be autonomous, and that Russia has no aggressive intentions towards Sweden or any other  European state that it is not already at war with.
	16 June	German plots to influence Afghanistan fail.
	3 July	Russia and Japan sign treaty regarding the Far East.  It stated that Russia and Japan would not join into any alliance against the other, it also states that if either nation's interests in the region are threatened that they will work together to safeguard those interests.  This treaty is the sequel to earlier treaties signed in July 1910 and July 1907.
	8 July	The Russo-Japanese treaty is announced to the world.
	23 July	Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov resigns and is succeeded by Minister Sturmer.
	27 August	Romania mobilizes and declares war on Austria-Hungary.  Germany declares war on Romania the following day.
	5 October	Both Germany and Austria announce an 'independent' Kingdom of Poland, but keep a close watch on Polish affairs.
	14 November	Russian Duma meets.  They declare that Austro-German declaration on Poland violates international law.  They also state that that the autonomous Poland would be created from all Polish territory and would be under Russian control.
	16 November	Germans announce that they will begin recruiting in Poland beginning on the 22nd.  German promises to Poland are said to depend on the results of the recruitment drive.  Allies would later protest this policy.
	21 November	Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph dies at the age of 86.
	25 November	Trepov succeeds Stuermer as Russian Premier.
	2 December	Russian Premier Trepov addresses the Duma.  He speaks about the agreement with the Allies regarding their promises of eventual Russian control of the Dardanelles and Constantinople.
	15 December	Vigorous speeches in the Duma against peace with Germany by Russian Foreign Minister.  The Duma then passes a resolution stating that the Allies should refuse any peace until a victory over ''the military power of Germany'' is won.
	16  December	The monk Rasputin is murdered by Felix Yusupov and other conspirators.  Rasputin's body would later be discovered in the Neva river.
	25  December	Tsar Nicolas replies to German peace overtures in an order to his troops.  He states that the German peace offer was made due to a sense of defeat within Germany.  He went further to say that Germany must be forced out of all lands they have taken, Poland must be freed, Constantinople and the Dardanelles must be regained, and that there will be no thoughts of peace until these events occur.
1917
	9 January	Trepov resigns his position.  Russian Prime Minister Prince Golitzin succeeds him.
	17 January	General Bieliaev is appointed as the Russian Minister of war, replacing General Shuvaiev.
	18 January	Duma re-opens and the Council of the Empire is delayed.  It was originally scheduled for January 25, is now scheduled for February 27.
	20 January	Tsar Nicolas addresses Prince Golitzin, and states his main policy objectives.  Among these are continuation of the war, improved provisioning of the armies and civil population, an improvement of transport systems.  He says he hopes the Duma and the Council of Europe will support Prince Golitzin.
	30 January	Allies send delegates to Petrograd to hold meetings about military and financial matters.
	February	Bread riots and strikes in Petrograd
	5 February	Russian Conference of the future of Poland is held.
	13 February	Allied conference in Petrograd ends.  Lord Milner says that more is being done to increase cooperation between Allied countries.
	27 February	The Duma is reopened.
	2 March	Warsaw is reported to have been organizing a national army to fight against Russia.
	8 March	February Revolution Occurs (February 23rd by old-style calendar).
	9 March	Strikes, food demonstrations, and rioting increase in Petrograd, the Russian government agrees to allow local governments to handle food distribution problem.
	12 March	Russian Revolution begins.  A Provisional Goverment is formed with Rodzianko, Kerenski, Miliukov, Vladimir Lvov, Karajulov, and Colonel Engelhart.  The first proclamation of the new government states that it finds itself compelled to bring order to the chaos caused by the old government.  They also ask for the full cooperation of the people and army.  The Fortress of Peter and Paul is to be the new headquarters of the army.
	13 March	Revolutionary activity continues in Petrograd.  Russian Admiralty surrenders and Petrograd garrison goes over to Provisional Government's side.  Duma makes a second proclamation appealing to the people of Petrograd to not damage public service buildings or harm the property of other citizens.
	14 March	Moscow, Odessa, and Kharkov declare their support for the Provisional government.  Grand Duke Cyril places himself and his sailors under command of Rodzianko.
	15 March	Tsar Nicholas II abdicates in favor of Grand Duke Mikhail, whom he asks to work with the Provisional Government.  Grand Duke Mikhail transfers power to Provisional Government under Prince Lvov.  Prince George Lvov is made the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government.  Kerensky is made Minister of Justice.  Many new laws are passed.  Among these are the abolition of all social, religious, and ethnic restrictions, a law declaring freedom of the press and association.  Labor unions are allowed.  A national militia is to replace the current police.
	15 March	Kamenev and Stalin return from Siberia
	16 March	Kerenski gives a speech in the Duma where he asks for the Army to support the new government.
	18 March	The Russian press urges loyalty to the Allied cause.  Russian food shortages become less acute.  Provisional government begins inquiries into the conduct of former Ministers.
	19 March	Petrograd Soviet of Workers' Deputies issue Order No. 1.  In an unrelated event, an assassin attempts to kill Kerenski.
	20 March	Former Tsar Nicholas reviews the troops of the Russian army and urges them to be loyal to the Provisional Government.  The appointment of Grand Duke Nicholas as supreme commander of Russian army is annulled. Provisional Government issues a proclamation stating that they cannot become neutral because the prospects of peace in Europe are non-existent.
	21 March	The former Tsar Nicholas and his wife are arrested.  The food and munitions problem in Petrograd is well on its way to being dealt with.
	22 March	The former Tsar is taken to Tsarkoe Selo. Italy, England, and France recognize the Provisional Government.  The death penalty is abolished in Russia.
	23 March	Lloyd George sends a telegram to Russian Prime Minister congratulating him on his revolution and stating that only the Prussian autocracy stands in the way of freedom and liberty.
	25 March	The Provisional Government accepts all responsibilities of the previous regime.  It also abolishes or alters all orders and medals except the Order of Saint George.
	27 March	Provisional Government issues a proclamation favoring peace and self-determination.
	28 March	All members of the Romanov family take an oath of loyalty to the Provisional Government.
	30 March	The independence of Poland is recognized by the Provisional Government.
	April	Lenin arrives at the Finland Station in Petrograd Lenin writes his April Theses
	10 April	The Provisional Government issues a proclamation detailing Russia's new war aims.  They state that the military is in a severe state of disarray and that defense of the nation is top priority.  It also says that Russia seeks only peace and autonomy, not new territory.
	13 April	The All-Russian Conference of workers and soldiers delegates meet in Petrograd.  British and French representatives arrive in Russia and meet with Provisional Government.
	14 April	Allies (including Russia) agree of future status of an independent Poland.
	15 April	Austria makes effort to seek a separate peace with Russia.
	1 May	Miliukov writes note stating the new Russian foreign policy.
	4 May	Russian Provisional Government faces a vote of confidence, which it narrowly passes.
	5 May	General Kornilov reorganizes the Russian reserves.
	10 May	The president of the Duma affirms Russian loyalty to the Allies.
	16 May	Coalition Provisional Government is formed.  Kerensky is made head of War and Marine matters.  Tereshchenko is made Foreign Minister.  German Chancellor hints at possible peace with Russia.
	19 May	First performance of Diaghilev's 'Ballet russe'
	21 May	French Minister of Munitions speaks in Moscow.
	30 May	Socialists announce International Conference in Stockholm.
	June	Election of Constituent Assembly set for September 30.
	1 June	Socialist revolt against Provisional Government at Kronstadt.
	5 June	Revolt at Kronstadt ends after negotiations with Provisional Government succeed.
	9 June	Russians reject a German proposal for an unlimited armistice.
	11 June	A message from United States President Wilson is published.  It states that no people should live under a government that they do not desire, and that all possible means must be taken to stop a repeat of the Great War.
	12 June	British paper publish Russian declaration of April 10.
	16 June	In Petrograd the All-Russian Congress of Worker's and Peoples' Delegates opens.
	30 June	Russian delegates leave Russia for conferences in England, France, Italy, and Stockholm.
	6 July	Andrei Gromyko was born.  He would later become the Soviet Foreign Minister during the Cold War era.
	July	6th Party Congress is held.
	15 July	Four ministers of the Cadet party resign in protest against recognition of the Ukraine.
	16-18 July	Revolts in Petrograd.  Maximalists under V. Lenin cause the Petrograd garrison to mutiny.  Machine gun and rifle fire is heard in the streets.  The revolt is soon crushed.
	19 July	An assassination attempt against Kerensky fails.
	22 July	Prince Lvov resigns as Prime Minister; Kerensky takes his place.  Kerensky retains his offices as War and Marine minister.
	2 August	Kerensky resigns.
	August	Kerensky becomes dictator Constituent Assembly election is postponed until November 25.
	9-14 September	Kornilov revolt.
	15 September	The existence of the Russian Republic is declared by Kerensky.
	25 October	Bolsheviks begin the October Revolution  (November 7th by current calendar)
	November	Patriarchate is re-established
	25 November	Constituent Assembly elections begin.
	December	Establishment of the Cheka Left Socialist Revolutionaries enter into a coalition with Bolsheviks
	20 December	Armistice negotiations at Brest-Litovsk begin.
1918
	January	Constituent Assembly is dissolved.
	31 January	The Soviet Government declares that the following day will be 14 February instead of 1 February as it switched from the Julian to the Gregorian Calendar.
	February	Separation of church and state is announced.
	1 February	Russian government, but not the Church, moves to the Gregorian Calendar.
	March	7th Party Congress British land at Murmansk.
	3 March	Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is signed ending Russia's involvement in World War One.