Russian Opposition to World War I and February Revolution

Russian Opposition to World War I and the February Revolution

In 1914, only the Bolsheviks had opposed Russia's entry into the war. However, over time, contrary positions increased. With the war ongoing since 1915, liberal and socialist opposition resurfaced with force. The winter of 1916-1917 saw discontent in the army and cities multiply due to supply shortages. Amid freezing temperatures, long lines of women formed in front of nearly empty stores in search of food or coal.

In 1917, spontaneous demonstrations of protest erupted in the capital, Petrograd (St. Petersburg), especially led by women. These united strikes and the police were powerless to control the city. The government sent the army to suppress the revolt, but troops acted with little resolve. Faced with this situation, the chairman of the Duma asked the Tsar to appoint a new government that enjoyed the confidence of the country. Nicholas II responded by closing the Duma.

In February 1917, according to the Orthodox calendar, the first part of the demonstrations sent against the troops showed solidarity with the protest. The entire city was left to the rebels, ministers, military commanders, and commanders were detained. The next day, the Tsarist government resigned. The vacuum created following the resignation of the Tsarist government led the liberal deputies of the Duma to form the so-called Interim Committee of the Duma. Simultaneously, the Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies was created in Petrograd, dominated by the Provisional Executive Committee, which was controlled by Menshevik members. Thus, two branches emerged: the State Duma and the All-Russian Soviet of Petrograd. These soviets were formed, imitating what appeared in the Russian Revolution of 1905 in Petrograd.

On March 2, the Duma and the Petrograd Soviet reached an agreement to form a Provisional Government. It was integrated by members of the Constitutional Democrats and chaired by Prince Lvov. Only one socialist, Kerensky, was part of it. The moderate socialists supported the Provisional Government. Meanwhile, Nicholas II, abandoned by his followers, abdicated on the night of March 2 to 3 in favor of his brother, Grand Duke Miguel. However, Miguel did not accept. Russia became a republic.