Eventually, the feelings of unrest boiled over, causing a revolution. Despite most assumptions, the Russian Revolution did not occur in one fell swoop, in which the Romanov Dynasty was deposed and the Communist state of the USSR was established. It began with the February Revolution, in March 1917, in which the czarist regime toppled. After a few months of instability, the October Revolution (November 1917) occurred, finally giving power to the Communist Party.
The February Revolution
On February 23, 1917 (on the Julian calendar), to 'celebrate' International Women's Day, Petrograd's women left their work to protest food shortages in the streets. Soon they were joined by men, and by the next day, all stores, factories, industries, and enterprises were closed due to a lack of employees. The crowds had swelled to an unmanageable level. Mobs would destroy police stations, as they clamored for change. Following a model of the 1905 revolution, some factories elected representatives to Soviets (councils) of workers' committees.
Finally, Nicholas ordered the police to intervene. Most of the troops defected, siding instead with the rioters. Some soldiers did shoot into the crowd, but their efforts were fruitless, as the loyal soldiers were vastly outnumbered. Fights broke out, stores and homes were robbed, and riots exploded throughout the city. By the end, over 80,000 troops had joined the revolutionaries. Within days, they'd also elected deputies to the Petrograd Soviet.
Nicholas II realized there was nothing he could do to stay in power. As a result, he abdicated, in favor of his brother, Grand Duke Michael. Michael refused the the crown, ending the Romanov dynasty. Nicholas and his family were made to stay at Tsarskoe Selo, the town containing Catherine the Great's Winter Palace, the main residence of the Romanov's.
Finally, Nicholas ordered the police to intervene. Most of the troops defected, siding instead with the rioters. Some soldiers did shoot into the crowd, but their efforts were fruitless, as the loyal soldiers were vastly outnumbered. Fights broke out, stores and homes were robbed, and riots exploded throughout the city. By the end, over 80,000 troops had joined the revolutionaries. Within days, they'd also elected deputies to the Petrograd Soviet.
Nicholas II realized there was nothing he could do to stay in power. As a result, he abdicated, in favor of his brother, Grand Duke Michael. Michael refused the the crown, ending the Romanov dynasty. Nicholas and his family were made to stay at Tsarskoe Selo, the town containing Catherine the Great's Winter Palace, the main residence of the Romanov's.
The Provisional Government
The period between the February and October Revolution was a time of extreme government instability. The Provisional Government, set up by the Duma struggled for power against the Petrograd Soviet. The Provisional Government was to stay in place until proper elections could be held.
However, the influence of the radical Soviet (a worker's union that favored radical socialism as opposed to democracy) overreached that of the Provisional Government. The Soviet issued it's infamous Order No. 1, which instructed all members of the military (soldiers and sailors) to obey all orders of the Provisional Government, except those that conflicted with any laws passed by the 2,500 member Soviet. Though the Provisional Government reorganized four times during its brief reign, it was never strong enough to deal with the problems plaguing Russia, for example land seizures, nationalism of non-Russian groups in the empire, and collapse of army morale.
A political war between separate parties was constantly waging. A main issue was whether or not to embrace 'defeatism,' a policy under which Russia would leave the First World War under any conditions. There were also major disagreements about how the country should be run politically, and in which ways the problems should be solved. Russian citizens began to side with radical socialists, under the slogan, "Peace, Land, and Bread."
Meanwhile, Vladimir Lenin, who'd been campaigning in Europe made a victorious return to Russia. He'd been on the run from the czarist government, with fear of prosecution as a confirmed socialist. Upon his arrival, Lenin published his April Thesis, in the Bolshevik paper, Pravda (truth), he openly condemned both the policies of the Provisional Government and the Soviets. In fact, his thesis criticized anyone who didn't stand with his view of pure socialism. This extremist view temporarily isolated him and his Bolshevik party, but the people were easily won back.
In the summer, Lenin attempted a coup. He wanted to overthrow the Provisional Government the way the rebels had overthrown the monarchy in February. His plans were quickly foiled by Kerensky, a member of both the Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government, and a notable historical figure. He sent experienced troops into the city and accused major Bolsheviks of conspiring with Germans. Many were imprisoned and Lenin fled to Finland.
However, the influence of the radical Soviet (a worker's union that favored radical socialism as opposed to democracy) overreached that of the Provisional Government. The Soviet issued it's infamous Order No. 1, which instructed all members of the military (soldiers and sailors) to obey all orders of the Provisional Government, except those that conflicted with any laws passed by the 2,500 member Soviet. Though the Provisional Government reorganized four times during its brief reign, it was never strong enough to deal with the problems plaguing Russia, for example land seizures, nationalism of non-Russian groups in the empire, and collapse of army morale.
A political war between separate parties was constantly waging. A main issue was whether or not to embrace 'defeatism,' a policy under which Russia would leave the First World War under any conditions. There were also major disagreements about how the country should be run politically, and in which ways the problems should be solved. Russian citizens began to side with radical socialists, under the slogan, "Peace, Land, and Bread."
Meanwhile, Vladimir Lenin, who'd been campaigning in Europe made a victorious return to Russia. He'd been on the run from the czarist government, with fear of prosecution as a confirmed socialist. Upon his arrival, Lenin published his April Thesis, in the Bolshevik paper, Pravda (truth), he openly condemned both the policies of the Provisional Government and the Soviets. In fact, his thesis criticized anyone who didn't stand with his view of pure socialism. This extremist view temporarily isolated him and his Bolshevik party, but the people were easily won back.
In the summer, Lenin attempted a coup. He wanted to overthrow the Provisional Government the way the rebels had overthrown the monarchy in February. His plans were quickly foiled by Kerensky, a member of both the Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government, and a notable historical figure. He sent experienced troops into the city and accused major Bolsheviks of conspiring with Germans. Many were imprisoned and Lenin fled to Finland.
The October Revolution
Because of how unstable the leaders of Russia were, Lenin was ready had a great opportunity. With the continued problems of the people, the popularity of his party and the constant shift of power, there was no better time than October to stage a revolution. Lenin set up a meeting with several other party heads to propose the idea of attempting another revolt on October 10. Despite only ten out of twelve party heads agreeing the idea, planning went on. Only two weeks later, the revolution would take place.
Despite the fact that it took less than fourteen days to plan a revolution, it was well thought out. Soldiers loyal to the Bolshevik cause were stationed around post offices, telephones, banks, railroad stations, and major bridges. Though the Provisional Government had gotten wind of the revolt, the guards Kerensky (now head of the Provisional Government) had sent to fight the Bolsheviks surrendered or fled without a fight. A few hours later, the only place left for the Bolsheviks to take over was the Winter Palace, where Kerenksy was hiding.* Kerensky got in a car and fled Russia, never to return, and Lenin's soldiers infiltrated the Winter Palace and took it with ease. This bloodless revolution, sadly, didn't presage easy control of Russia, or even a peaceful environment for Russia's people.
*The Romanovs had been moved during the summer of that year to Siberia for their own safety.
Despite the fact that it took less than fourteen days to plan a revolution, it was well thought out. Soldiers loyal to the Bolshevik cause were stationed around post offices, telephones, banks, railroad stations, and major bridges. Though the Provisional Government had gotten wind of the revolt, the guards Kerensky (now head of the Provisional Government) had sent to fight the Bolsheviks surrendered or fled without a fight. A few hours later, the only place left for the Bolsheviks to take over was the Winter Palace, where Kerenksy was hiding.* Kerensky got in a car and fled Russia, never to return, and Lenin's soldiers infiltrated the Winter Palace and took it with ease. This bloodless revolution, sadly, didn't presage easy control of Russia, or even a peaceful environment for Russia's people.
*The Romanovs had been moved during the summer of that year to Siberia for their own safety.
A Civil War
Soon after taking control of Russia, Lenin ended Russia's involvement in the war. The agreement he made with Germany angered many people because it ceded too much Russian territory to Germany. As soldiers were coming home, they were tired, hungry, and wanted their jobs back. However, since farms were no longer privatized, each farmer would grow just enough food for his family, without any incentive to grow more. This worsened food shortages. Once the war ended, factories that specialized in war equipment were closed, meaning that one of the nation's main industries had become practically obsolete. Many problems that the Russians had faced only worsened.
As a result of this unrest, Russia broke out into civil war. It was fought between the Whites (royalists) and Reds (communists). Fearing that if the Whites won they would restore the monarchy, Lenin ordered the execution of the Romanov family, so that they could not be rescued. After several years of fighting, the Reds won, but not without significant loss. An esimated 15 million lives and billions of roubles were lost over the course of the war. In 1922, the USSR was established, and Lenin died a year later, leaving his power to Joseph Stalin.
As a result of this unrest, Russia broke out into civil war. It was fought between the Whites (royalists) and Reds (communists). Fearing that if the Whites won they would restore the monarchy, Lenin ordered the execution of the Romanov family, so that they could not be rescued. After several years of fighting, the Reds won, but not without significant loss. An esimated 15 million lives and billions of roubles were lost over the course of the war. In 1922, the USSR was established, and Lenin died a year later, leaving his power to Joseph Stalin.