The Russian Revolution

One of the most significant events of the 12th century was the Russian Revolution of 1917. This revolution was an era of political and social upheaval. Two revolutions took place in Russia in 1917 that completely changed the country. After two revolutions and the civil war, Russia abolished its monarchy and adopted a socialist form of government.

The Russian Revolution of 1917

The Russian Revolution involved a series of political reforms in Russia. It ended the country’s autocratic system and overthrew the liberal Provisional Government (Duma). Eventually, the Soviet Union came into being until its dissolution in 1991. It was during this time that the Bolshevik party established Soviet power.

What caused the Russian Revolution?

Russian Revolution1917 had three distinct causes:

• Political

The crushed hopes of democracy ignited the idea of the Russian revolution among the ordinary people. Politically, the Russian people disliked the autocracy of the then ruler Tsar Nicholas II. They resented the corrupt and outdated ways of his government. Moreover, the Bloody Sunday massacre of January 1905 ignited the people’s desire to overthrow the Tsarist government. As a response to the massacre, the nation saw several strikes.

• Social

Russia was primarily populated by poor peasants. A quarter of the land in Russia was owned by only 1.5% of the population. Although in 1861, the rural agrarian peasants were liberated from serfdom, they still had to make redemption payments to the state. Many peasants often revolted in an attempt to secure ownership of their lands, but without success. These piled up grudges fuelled the Russian Revolution in 1917.

•  Economic

The outdated economy of the nation is believed to be the economic cause of the Russian Revolution. The poor rural peasants seldom owned modern tools and machinery. The growing season was only four to six months in Russia due to its naturally cold climate. In comparison, the growing season was less than the Western Europe, where it typically lasted eight to nine months.

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The Two Major Events: The February Revolution and The October Revolution

Two revolutions took place during the Russian Revolution of 1917. The first revolution took place in February and brought down the imperial government. The second revolution, which took place in October, brought the Bolsheviks into power. Now, let’s dig deeper into the two revolts:

• The February Revolution

The February Revolution Russia took place on March 8, 1917. The date is February 23, as per the Julian calendar. Famine stricken industrial Petrograd Soviet workers and angry protestors hit the streets of St. Petersburg. Consequently, military troops rushed to suppress the unrest on March 11. After initially responding to orders to shoot rioters, the soldiers switched sides and decided to join their cause. They shot their officers and became part of the rebellion. Within a few days, the Parliament of Russia formed a new Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky.

At the same time, Nicholas II renounced the throne to calm domestic unrest. Duma leaders gradually formed a new government under Kerensky. Both the Provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet (a local council representing the soldiers and workers in Petrograd) supported a democratic government. Therefore, Kerensky continued the war, thereby worsening the economic situation in Russia. Consequently, food shortages increased in many Russian cities, and riots broke out. The army and civilians did not support his decision to continue the war. During this same period, the Social Revolutionaries, who were struggling for power, founded soviets ( local governing bodies consisting of peasants, workers, and soldiers).

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• The October Revolution

The October Revolution in Russia took place in November 1917. The Julian calendar dates it October 25. On October 10, Vladimir Lenin convinced the leaders of the Bolshevik Party that it was time for another armed revolution. Consequently, the Bolshevik troops seized control of the power station, bank, train station, post office, telegraph, and strategic bridges in the early hours of October 25, 1917. They occupied key locations across St. Petersburg and Russia and soon formed a new government with Lenin as its head and renamed themselves the ‘communist party’. Lenin became the dictator of the world’s first communist state.

Later that day, Petrograd was captured by the Bolsheviks, and Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky fled. The following day, Bolshevik troops took control of the Winter Palace and became the new rulers of Russia. The Lenin Russian Revolution ended with the abolition of private land ownership, and workers gained control over factories.

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The Aftermath of the Russian Revolution

• The rule of the Tsars came to an end with the Russian Revolution
• The Bolsheviks executed Nicholas II, his wife, children and 4 servants in July 1918
• The Communist Party was formed under Lenin
• The Bolshevik Party established Cheka or the secret police
• A National Council was formed to manage Russia’s economy
• Banks were also nationalized during the Russian revolution
• The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ended World War I for Russia
• Factory workers and farmers are given their respective farmlands and factories
• The Russian civil war continued from 1918 to 1920

Conclusion

The Russian Revolution of 1917 saw a series of important events.

• Firstly, these events transformed Russia’s political, economic, and social structure
• Secondly, it created a just and equal society for everybody
• The post-revolutionary Russian society followed the principle of equal self-development opportunities for everyone
• Thirdly, the Russian Revolution inspired many suppressed nations all over the world
• People witnessed the struggles of ordinary people and their fight for freedom and better living conditions
• Last but not least, the Russian experience provided a new model for social emancipation, economic development, and political transformation in the world

As one can understand, The Russian Revolution was an illustrious set of events of immense importance.