1905
Communist militant Jospeh Stalin is killed during a bank robbery while leading a "fighting squad". He would later be immortalised as a hero of the proletariat.
1917
February
The Pravda published an article by Lenin calling on the overthrow of the Russian provisional government. The Communist Party is declared illegal within Russia. The Mensheviks, lead by Trotsky, cuts off all ties with the Bolsheviks.
October
Bolshevik uprising occurs in Russia, leading to the downfall of the provisional government. The new regime holds power as the vanguard of the proletariat. The uprising results in a civil war.
1920
May
Russia recognises the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic. Due to some internal instability, Russia limits its help to military equipment, fearing that any overt intervention might alienate the local population.
June
Victory of the Red Army in Poland. Without much local support, the peace treaty is more favourable to the Polish government than expected, with them only losing some limited territories and limiting the size of its army.
Note: *here* Stalin refused to obey Trotsky's orders before the crucial engaments of the conflict.
1921
March
After the civil war, the 10th Party congress adopt the New Economic Policy. This congress also marks the return of the Menshevicks into the fold.
1922
Early Months
Pyatakov is named general secretary of the Central Committee of the Party. The position is a strictly administrative one. At Lenin's urging, the communist party adopted a policy of tolerance toward "Proletarian Nationalism" defined as the legitimate nationalistic aspiration of minority groups. This form of nationalism is considered distinct from the "National-Socialism" of imperialistic countries, which it still condemned.
This policy would later be invoked to justify the "autonomisation" of Russia.
later Months
Creation of the All-Soviets Union (ASU). The union is to better coordinate military and some external policies between soviet republics.
1923
April
Trotsky delivers a speech denouncing the bureaucratisation of the Party, and demanding a return to democracy at a local level (election of local representatives by members instead of appointment from the top).
1924
January
Death of Lenin. The content of Lenin's political testament, at first, was to be known only to the higher echelon of the party. Some however opposed this and it was published. Local soviets, feeling that Lenin was siding with them against an increasing bureaucracy, demanded reforms which they eventualy managed to obtain.
As part of these reforms, state-owned factories are turned over to workers co-operative with total autonomy in exchange of a yearly tax based on production level. Local soviets were also allowed to help set up co-operative and small industries within their area on which they could collect taxes to be re-invested in further industry.
May
At the 13th congress, a motion calling for "Socialism in one country" (i.e. Russia) is defeated and the objective of a "World Socialist Revolution" is reiterated.
1927
The 15th Party Congress reaffirms its dedication to Worldwide communism. It also agrees to slowly reduce the amount of prisoners in labour camps.
1928
The Russian government founds itself short of 2 millions ton of grain. As the grain existed, but due to low price, had not been sold by farmers, 2 possibilities were left to the government - requisition or raising the price. After much discussion, the latter was adopted.
To prevent enrichment of the kulaks through speculation, the government encouraged the setting up of collectives, with the possibility of obtaining a few pieces of farm equipment (such as tractors).
1932-1933
Second famine in 10 years due to drought. It affected many areas, but was centered in the Ukraine. An international appeal is sent via the Comintern to encourage donations.
1936
The Comintern openly supports the Spanish Communist Party during the Spanish Civil War, bypassing the republican government.
1939
Althought agricultural output had steadily risen, the Republics of the USSR still largely lags behind other European countries in term of industrialisation.
1940
The republics of the All-Soviets Union enter the war after the invasion of the Ukraine by the Germans. The Soviet Republics make it clear that they are co-belligerents (i.e. fighting the same foe), but not officialy in a military alliance with the Allies.
Although the Soviet Armies have equipment which is out of date, the soldiers can depend on a professional and well trained officer corps.
1945
Founding of the Allied Nations Organisation, a permanent version of the military alliance of Great Britain, France, the United States of America and other related countries. The founding charter specificaly prohibits giving membership to Communist countries.
In addition to the members of the "Security Council", a general council is created to allow other like-minded countries to voice their opinions. The General Council contains not only representatives of sovereign countries, but also governments-in-exile.