Written by Background: The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of revolutions that brought an end to centuries of imperial rule in Russia and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. In March 1917 (February in the Julian calendar), the first phase of the revolution, known as the February Revolution, saw the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of a Provisional Government. However, this government faced numerous challenges, including continued involvement in World War I, economic instability, and widespread dissatisfaction among the working class and peasantry. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were a socialist faction that sought to overthrow the Provisional Government and establish a new regime based on Marxist principles.
What Happened: On November 7, 1917 (October 25 in the Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks launched an armed insurrection in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) to seize control of the Russian government. The timing of the uprising was carefully planned by Lenin and his fellow revolutionaries, who believed that the Provisional Government was on the verge of collapse and that the time was ripe for a takeover. The Bolsheviks had gained significant influence among the Petrograd workers and soldiers, and they controlled key institutions such as the Petrograd Soviet—a council of workers’ and soldiers’ deputies that played a major role in the city’s political life.
The uprising began in the early hours of November 7, with Bolshevik forces seizing key locations in Petrograd, including bridges, railway stations, telegraph offices, and government buildings. The Winter Palace, which served as the headquarters of the Provisional Government, was the final target. The palace was defended by a small contingent of troops, including cadets and the Women’s Battalion, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the Bolshevik forces, who stormed the building in the evening. By the end of the day, the Provisional Government had been overthrown, and its ministers were arrested.
The success of the October Revolution was largely due to the Bolsheviks’ ability to mobilize popular support among workers, soldiers, and peasants who were disillusioned with the Provisional Government’s inability to address their needs. The Bolsheviks, with their promise of “peace, land, and bread,” offered a vision of a new society that resonated with the masses. Following the seizure of power, Lenin announced the formation of a new government—the Council of People’s Commissars—headed by himself. The Bolsheviks also issued a series of decrees, including the Decree on Peace, which called for an immediate end to Russia’s involvement in World War I, and the Decree on Land, which authorized the redistribution of land to the peasantry.
Impact for the Future: The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, the first socialist state in the world. It inspired revolutionary movements across the globe and had a profound impact on the 20th century, contributing to the ideological divide of the Cold War. The Bolsheviks’ rise to power also led to a brutal civil war between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (anti-Bolsheviks), which lasted until 1922 and resulted in millions of deaths. The revolution transformed Russia into a one-party state ruled by the Communist Party, with significant social, economic, and political consequences for the country and the world.