Gapon seeks support for the Putilov strikers

Russian forces surrendered Port Arthur after a long siege in the Russo-Japanese War. The defeat intensified criticism of the imperial government. The source date is 20 December 1904 Old Style.

The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Vperyod appeared in Geneva, providing an organ for Lenin and his supporters during the growing revolutionary crisis. The source date is 22 December 1904...

Members of Father Gapon’s workers’ organization met at the Putilov Works after four members were dismissed. The dispute became the immediate cause of the mass strike in St Petersburg. The source...

A large workers’ meeting demanded the return of four dismissed employees and the removal of officials blamed for their dismissal. The source date is 2 January Old Style.

Thousands of workers at the Putilov engineering works stopped work after management rejected demands arising from the dismissal dispute. The source date is 3 January Old Style.

The stoppage spread to other factories, bringing roughly 25,000 workers into the strike movement. The source date is 5 January Old Style.

At meetings of Gapon’s organization, workers proposed a peaceful procession to present Nicholas II with a petition covering labour conditions and political rights. The source date is 6 January Old...

The strike spread across the capital, closing most major workplaces while workers discussed the petition and plans for a march to the Winter Palace. The source date is 7 January Old Style.

A delegation including Maxim Gorky tried to persuade officials to prevent bloodshed. Authorities mobilized troops while Gapon’s organization prepared the next day’s procession. The source date is 8...

Troops fired on peaceful processions of workers and their families approaching the Winter Palace with a petition to Nicholas II. The killings destroyed popular faith in the tsar and triggered a...