Russian Revolution

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Броневик и юнкера на Дворцовой площади 1917

1917petrogradsoviet assembly

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Feb 1917

Soldiers demonstration.February 1917

Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution refers to a series of political upheavals that took place in Russia in 1917, leading to the collapse of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union. It is divided into two main parts: the February Revolution and the October Revolution. The revolution dismantled the Tsarist autocracy, leading to the creation of a communist government.

Background

The roots of the Russian Revolution can be traced back to a variety of factors, including the immense social and economic inequality in Russian society, the industrialization process that failed to improve the lives of the working class, and the immense losses and hardships suffered during World War I. The Romanov Dynasty's inability to address these issues led to widespread discontent.

February Revolution

The February Revolution began with strikes and protests in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) in late February 1917. The immediate cause was the scarcity of food and the general dissatisfaction with the war. The protests quickly escalated, and the soldiers stationed in the city eventually sided with the protesters. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 2, 1917, ending centuries of Romanov rule. The Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky, took over but was unable to withdraw Russia from the war or resolve economic and social issues.

October Revolution

The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, occurred on October 25, 1917 (November 7, new style). The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power from the Provisional Government. They were motivated by Marxist beliefs and sought to establish a socialist state. The Bolsheviks moved quickly to consolidate power, negotiating peace with Germany and redistributing land and resources among the peasantry and workers.

Aftermath

The Bolsheviks' rise to power led to the Russian Civil War between the Red Army (Bolshevik forces) and the White Army (a coalition of monarchists, capitalists, and other socialist groups). The war lasted until 1922, ending with a Bolshevik victory and the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922.

The Russian Revolution had profound effects on the 20th century, influencing the rise of communism as a global force and shaping international politics for decades.

Legacy

The legacy of the Russian Revolution is complex. It is celebrated as a victory for the working class and a model of socialist revolution by some, but it is also criticized for the authoritarian regime it established under the guise of communism.