Russian Revolution
( Russia or also known during this era as Soviet Union )
In 1917, two revolutions completely changed the fabric of Russia. First, the February Russian Revolution toppled the Russian monarchy and established a Provisional Government. Then in October, a second Russian Revolution placed the Bolsheviks as the leaders of Russia, resulting in the creation of the world's first communist country.
On Thursday, February 23, 1917, women workers in Petrograd left their factories and entered the streets to protest. It was International Women's Day and the women of Russia were ready to be heard.An estimated 90,000 women marched through the streets, shouting "Bread" and "Down With the Autocracy!" and "Stop the War!" These women were tired, hungry, and angry. They worked long hours in miserable conditions in order to feed their families because their husbands and fathers were at the front, fighting in World War. They wanted change. They weren't the only ones.
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Czar Nicholas II, who was not in Petrograd during the revolution, heard reports of the protests but did not take them seriously. By March 1, everyone (except the Czar) expected the Czar's rule to be over, and on March 2 Czar Nicholas II was abdicted.
Provisional Government vs. The Petrograd Soviet
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Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
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On October 25, 1917, the second revolution began. Troops took control of all telegraphs, train/power stations, bridges, post offices, and banks. Control of all these were given to the Bolsheviks without any shots fired. Later that day, Petrograd was under the power of the Bolsheviks. Without any blood smeared the Bolsheviks were the new rulers of Russia. Immediately Lenin announced that new power would end war, abolish all private land ownership, and create a system for workers.
Here are more photos from the Russian Revolution.
A short video summarizing the Russian Revolution.