Russian Revolution - February Revolution

Overview

• Began February 23 (March 8, New Style), 1917
• Initial strikes in Petrograd for higher wages
• Large participation on International Women's Day
• Not initially recognized by existing political parties

Key Events

February 23-24 (March 8-9)

• 130,000 men participated in strikes
• Demonstrations were large but not violent
• Authorities took minimal precautions

February 25-26 (March 10-11)

• Strikes became more aggressive, resembling an armed uprising
• Police stations raided, police disarmed
• Cossacks showed neutrality and sympathy to strikers

February 27 (March 12)

• Elite regiments of the Imperial Guard joined the revolution
• Government officials went into hiding

Political Developments

• Duma seeks compromise with Tsar
• Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies forms
• Provisional Government established under Prince Lvov

March Developments

• Soviet expands its influence, Petrograd Soviet appoints an executive committee
• Soviet's Order No. 1 limits Provisional Government's control of the military
• Continued food and peace issues

The Role of the Tsar and the Romanov Dynasty

• Tsar Nicholas II abdicates on March 1 (March 14, New Style)
• Abdication leads to the end of Romanov dynasty
• Royal family later executed

Army and War Efforts

• Struggle to gain army support
• Soviet initially supports broader rights for soldiers
• Provisional Government continues war efforts

The Bolshevik Involvement

• Bolsheviks initially a minority
• Lenin calls for "all power to the Soviets"
• July Days uprising fails, Bolsheviks later regroup

Political Shifts and Challenges

• Kornilov Affair increases Bolshevik influence
• Kerensky becomes prime minister
• Government instability continues

Bolshevik Revolution

• Trotsky and Lenin maneuver for power
• Bolsheviks seize control during October Revolution
• Provisional Government collapses

Post-Revolution Developments

• Bolsheviks establish Soviet government
• Immediate focus on land reforms and peace
• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ends Russian involvement in WWI

Key Outcomes

• End of Romanov rule
• Rise of the Soviet state
• Beginning of Russian Civil War