What exactly is the Russian Revolution?

Question

What exactly is the Russian Revolution?

Answer 1

The Russian Revolution of 1917 refers to a series of two popular revolutions in Russia, and the events surrounding them. These revolutions had the effect of completely changing the nature of society within the Russian Empire and transforming the Russian state, which ultimately led to the replacement of the old Tzarist autocracy with the Soviet Union.

The February Revolution of 1917 (March 1917 of the Gregorian calendar) was a spontaneous popular revolution focused around Petrograd, with an associated mutiny of the military. In the chaos members of the Duma assumed control of the country, forming the Russian Provisional Government. The army leadership felt they did not have the means to suppress the revolution and Tzar Nicholas II of Russia, the last Tsar of Russia, abdicated, effectively leaving the Provisional Government in power. The Soviets (workers' councils) which were led by more radical socialist factions initially permitted the new government to rule but insisted on a prerogative to influence the government and control various militias. The February Revolution took place in the context of the First World War, with much of the army in a state of mutiny.

A period of dual power eventuated, in which the Provisional Government held state power and the national network of Soviets, led by socialists, had the allegiance of the lower-class citizens and the political Left. During this chaotic period there were frequent army mutinies and many strikes. The Provisional Government chose to remain in the war, whereas the policy of the Bolsheviks and other socialist factions was to abandon the war effort. The Bolsheviks formed workers militas into the Red Guards (later the Red Army) over which they exerted substantial control. The Mensheviks, another socialist faction, were also fighting for control over the country at this time.

The October Revolution (November of the Gregorian calendar), in which the Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and the workers' Soviets, overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd. A civil war soon erupted between the Red and White (nationalist) factions, which was to continue for several years, with the Bolsheviks ultimately victorious. The Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Germany. In this way the Revolution paved the way for the USSR. While many notable historical events occurred in Moscow and Petrograd, there was also a broadly-based movement in cities throughout the state, among national minorities throughout the empire, and in the rural areas, where peasants seized and redistributed land.

Answer 2

revolution by communist against tsar kingdom in russia