Russia's 1917 Revolutions: From Tsar to Bolsheviks

1917 February Revolution: Tsar's Downfall

The February Revolution of 1917 displaced the autocracy of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the last Tsar, and intended to install a liberal republic. This revolution occurred almost spontaneously when the people of Petrograd protested against the Tsarist regime due to a food shortage in the city. There was also great dissatisfaction with Russia's involvement in the First World War. As the protests grew, many reformist politicians (both liberal and far-left) began to coordinate their activities. In early February, the protests became violent as citizens rioted and clashed with police and soldiers. When the bulk of the troops stationed in the capital joined the uprising, it became a revolution, forcing the Tsar to abdicate after an almost bloodless transition. A new interim government, also called the Duma, was formed to plan for elections. Between February and October, revolutionaries tried to encourage more radical changes, either through the Petrograd Soviet or directly. In July, the Petrograd Bolsheviks, in collaboration with anarchists, promoted a civil rebellion, which ultimately ended in failure.

October Revolution: Bolsheviks Seize Power

The October Revolution was led by figures such as Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin and was based on the ideas of Karl Marx. It marked the beginning of the expansion of communism in the twentieth century. This revolution was much less spontaneous than the February Revolution and was the result of deliberate planning and coordinated action from beginning to end. The logistical and financial assistance of German intelligence, via key agent Alexander Parvus, was a crucial factor. On November 7, 1917 (October 25, Old Style), Bolshevik leaders Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky led left-wing revolutionaries in a revolt against the ineffective Provisional Government. After October 1917, many members of the Socialist Revolutionary Party and anarchists opposed the Bolsheviks through the soviets. When this failed, it caused several riots in a series of events called the 'Third Revolution.' The most notable examples were the Tambov Rebellion (1919-1921) and the Kronstadt Rebellion (March 1921). These movements, which made a wide array of demands and lacked effective coordination, were eventually crushed during the Russian Civil War.