| |
|
The Russian Revolution was a political movement in Russia that climaxed in 1917 with the overthrow of the provisional government that had replaced the Russian Tsar system and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, which lasted until its collapse in 1991. The Revolution can be viewed in two distinct phases, the first instigated by the February Revolution of 1917, which sought to put in place a democratic liberal regime, and the October Revolution which usurped the Provisional Government that had been put in place by the liberals.
The February Revolution came about almost sporadically as people protested against the Tsarist regime as they lacked enough food to eat. There was also great disatisfaction with Russia's continued involvement in the First World War. As the protests grew various political reformists (both liberal and radical left) started to co-ordinate some activity. When the bulk of the soldiers garrisoned in the Russian capital Petrograd joined the protests they turned to revolution ultimately leading to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
The October Revolution was led by Vladimir Lenin based upon the ideas of Karl Marx and marked the beginning of the spread of communism in the twentieth century. It was far less sporadic than the revolution of February and came about as the result of deliberate planning and co-ordinated activity to that end. On November 7, 1917, Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin led his leftist revolutionaries in a nearly bloodless coup d'état against the ineffective Kerensky Provisional Government (Russia was still using the Julian Calendar at the time, so period references show an October 25 date). The October Revolutions success ended the phase of the revolution instigated in February and moved the Russian Revolution from being largely a liberal-democratic one to a communist insurrection.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Bibliography |
Dates are correct for the Julian calendar, which was used in Russia until 1918. It was twelve days behind the Gregorian calendar during the 19th century and thirteen days behind during the 20th century.
Brief Chronology leading to Revolution of 1917
*1881 - Alexander II assassinated; start of reign of Alexander III
January
More detailed but still brief chronology of Revolution of 1917
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Vladimir Lenin, leader of the October Bolshevik Revolution
Bibliography