There was already one part of the Revolution in February of 1917. This forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate the throne. When the Provisional Government took over, this put an end to the Romanov dynasty.

Reasons for the First Push

1) Russian army disgusted with how they’re being treated and with how the war (First World War) was progressing. Also, the army was inexperienced and outdated
2) Restlessness in urban areas: Petrograd (St. Petersburg) and other cities
3) Increased disillusionment among the lower classes and the social classes within Russia
4) Workers getting more and more frustrated with conditions and how wages were distributed

Make no mistake about it, these were tough conditions for the general population. When the summer of 1917 had ended, and the winter months began, conditions worsened and impatience became a significant issue.

The Aftermath of February, 1917

When tsarism was torn apart, the Provisional Government took over power with the Duma (parliament) as the representatives. It is important to know that between February and October 1917, the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet co-operated with each other to prevent any political tensions. This, however, eroded as of March 1, when the Soviet of Petrograd issued Order No. 1. This order ensured that any military orders that contradicted the Soviet’s orders were not put in place. Thus, the Petrograd Soviet had gained supremacy. Officers in the army no longer had the leverage they had had previously.

The main leader of the Provisional Government, Alexander Kerensky, had promised many things to Russia in order to prevent more restlessness in Russia and bloodshed in the Great War. These promises were not carried out, and left many people disgruntled with the way things were being dealt with.

What is a Soviet? Why are they so crucial?

A Soviet can be considered the same as a council. There isn’t just one of them, but the closer they are to the urban centres (Moscow, Petrograd, etc.), the more influence they have. A Soviet can consist of workers committees, workers themselves, soldiers in the army, etc. Think of how frustrated the army was getting, along with the workers. Consider how Kerensky’s promises were not being fulfilled. The Soviet only gained numbers and influence from these factors.

These councils are important because of their wish for democracy. Since they became such large groups, they were able to use their numbers to impose influence upon the state.

Who Used this Influence?

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, used the Soviet as a means of manipulating the state to get their own influence through. Yes, the Bolsheviks and the Soviet had similar views and they did co-operate together. However, Lenin wanted complete control for his party after seeing the “efforts” done by the Provisional Government in Russia.

Don’t confuse this with earlier statements about the Provisional Government and its co-operation with the Soviet. They were able to co-operate until the summer of 1917, whereas the Bolsheviks used Soviet influence to jumpstart the uprising in the fall of 1917.

Lenin promised things to the people in order to get their support. It should be known that the biggest demand from the people was an end to Russia’s role in the war. Lenin was able to achieve this. Therefore, support was on his side as he promised other things as well:

1) Power to the proletariat (working classes)
2) Centralization of the banks
3) All power to the Soviets
4) No support for the coalition government

What happened in October?

People tend to think of Revolutions as grand schemes to overthrow leaders with war surrounding them. In many cases, this isn’t far from the truth. However, here, when the Winter Palace was stormed by Lenin/Bolshevik supporters, it was just a mob. It wasn’t grand, it wasn’t noble. In fact, the mob went straight to the wine cellar in the palace in order to drink to their victory. The truth is that the shift of power to Lenin was smooth in October, but had massive repercussions later, which is when the Russian civil war becomes relevant. This is why people support February as the true Revolutionary period in Russia.

Common Questions About the Revolution

1) Who were the Mensheviks?
This is an important question. I do not mention them as they really don’t have a huge impact on the events themselves, but they should be included here. The Mensheviks were a party, like the Bolsheviks. But, instead of wanting complete control of the state, they hoped to work with the Provisional Government (coalition) in order to maintain stability and prevent an authoritarian regime under the Bolsheviks.

2) Which month did the actual Revolution occur?

This is also important. A classic historical debate. Some believe that the Russian Revolution occurred in February instead of October, and some believe the opposite. It is not easy to pinpoint which month should be considered the more significant month. Personally, I believe that the Revolution itself encompasses all months from February until October. In fact, I would go further, and say that it is important to consider the Revolution a long-term event because of the civil war that would follow. Why? I believe this because the civil war, while brutal, established what would become the Soviet system in Russia. Thus, making full-scale political change into the 1920s.

I will admit, this isn’t the whole story. However, I didn’t say it was. This is just supposed to help people understand this event a little bit better. It’s confusing, and very tough to get a grasp on. I’m still unsure about many aspects. That being said, it’s not perfect, and it isn’t everything. So, if you’re a Soviet historian reading this, there are omissions, and people are left out. This is simply an introduction for people who wish to know about this without having to suffocate through a textbook. Enjoy!         

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