Russian Revolution

A history of the Russian Revolution, from the rise of the Bolshevik revolution to the final stand against Lenin's red army.

The Russian Revolution

Nicholas's accession in 1894 coincided with growing conspiratorial revolutionary activity. The first Marxist party was formed in 1898, under the title of Russian Social Democratic Labour Party and in 1903, split into the two opposed factions of Mensheviks and Bolsheviks. The latter wing was more conspiratorial in its methods and practiced terrorism -- and was to seize power by October 1917 under Lenin's leadership, which eventually developed into the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

The Russian Revolution forever changed the world. It was comprised of two separate revolutions and are collectively "The Russian Revolution". Seemingly overnight an entire society was destroyed and replaced by the most radical socialist experiment ever witnessed.

The first revolution began with the revolt of March 8-12, 1917 (* February 23-27 in the Julian, or old style Calendar which was then used in Russia), which succeeded overthrow of the Czarist monarchy. Frequently it is called the February or March Revolution. The second revolution which consisted of armed insurrection was on November 6-7 (October 24-25), organized by the Bolshevik Party. It effected tremendous change in all economic, political and social structure in Russia and often referred to as the Bolshevik Revolution or October Revolution.

Bolsheviks destroying Imperial Symbols from Public Life.

The Bolsheviks exercised terror as a means for their rise to power.

Ideally, poverty was to be eliminated along with crime, privelege and class division.

A new era of Socialism made the promise of peace, prosperity and equality for all people of the world. But the socialist experiment failed. Millions were killed and within a generation one third the world's population were living under Communism. The story reveals how idealistic dreams can turn into an unimaginable nightmare.

The Marxist Lenin speaking to his disciples, preaching the terrorism which empowered him to overthrew the nation of Russia.

• Beginnings of the Russian Revolution - St. Petersburg
  Women factory workers stage a protest on Women's Day, agitating other factory workers to protest with them. What results is a mass protest of 100,000 Bolsheviks.


• The Czar and the German War, The Czar was overseeing the war campaign against Germany, when the Bolshevik Revolution consumed St. Petersburg. Mutiny begins among the army in Russia.


• The Soldiers of Kronstadt and Russian Revolution. The island fortress of Kronstadt, and the sailors who played a key part in the Russian Revolution.


• The Czar and Russian Revolution, With the deepening crisis, Czar Nicolas II is stopped on his journey back from the German front. Revolutionaries closed the line ahead and he is trapped on the imperial train. The Czar's front commanders insist he abdocate, and the people of Russia remove all Czarist symbols from public life.


• Temporary Provisional Government, The temporary provisional government that replaced the Czar's regime, and differing plans of exiled revolutionaries who were returning home to Russia.


• Provisional Government and the Soviets, The demand for tougher government is needed and the provisional government makes a deal with the Soviets for protection, but on the way to fight, the Soviets are persuaded with words, not bullets. Kerensky makes a deal with the Soviets for protection, but the plan backfires, leaving his position weakened on all sides.


• Lenin and the Bolsheviks, With the weakening of the Provisional Government, Lenin returns to Russia from his hide-out in Finland, taking control of the Bolsheviks with intent on seizing power. The provisional government is ovethrown and the Bolsheviks seize power.


• Lenin Seizes Power, Lenin seizes power, and the new rule is brought in with one of history's greatest hangovers as the imperial wine cellar is raided. Lenin tightens the reigns of power behind the scenes. When Democracy is attempted with an assembly of delegates the Bolsheviks and Lenin disrupt the gathering. Lenin seizes power by force, then creates the Checka, forerunner of the KGB.


• Lenin's Regime, Sailors of Kronstadt and Russian Dissent, The sailors of Kronstadt begin to feel they have been duped, seeing excesses and abuse of power by the newly empowered Lenin regime. An attempt on Lenin's life by Fanya Kaplan, and the Czech army revolts.


• Murder of the Royal Family, The rebel army moved west and in their path was the city of Yekaterinburg, where the royal family had been under house arrest for four months. Bolsheviks murder the royal family to prevent them from falling into enemy hands and used as leverage. After 300 Years the Romanov Dynasty was ended.


• White Army and the Red Army of the Communists, The white army grew from rebels who defected from fighting Russian enemies, and attracted anti-Bolsheviks to its ranks. The white army takes Kazan and the Bolshevik Red Army claims its first victory, but not without a hard-fought battle.


• The Red Army, Trotsky and the soldiers of Kronstadt pursue the retreating rebel forces. America, Japan and the British send in support of 200,000 to support the White Army in its battle against the Lenin and the Bolshevik Regime's Red Army.


• Allied Forces Support the White Army in the War against the Reds, America, Britain and Japan send support for the White Army to fight the Bolshevik Red Army. The Civil War claims millions of lives, but the Allies feel it is a war they cannot win and pull out, leaving Russia in the hand of the Bolsheviks.


• Peasants of Russian - The Russian Revolution, The unfortunate death toll and affliction the Russian peasants suffered due to the Russian Civil War.


• Soviet Democracy, Conditions begin to deteriorate between the Soldiers of Kronstadt and the Bolshevik elite.

 

* January 31, 1918, the Gregorian calendar was adopted by the Soviet government.

References

Russian Revolution in Color (DVD)
The Russian Revolution and Civil War, this bloodsoaked time from the battlefields, testimonies, and colorized archives help unfold the dramatic story of the Communist rise and seizure of power in 1917.

Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia, The Russian Revolution, © 1950

Russia : A Concise History (Paperback)
by Ronald Hingley
Amazon Review: For all of you that have been fascinated with Russian history and literature, this book helps understand that beautiful and relentless spirit of russian people. Though it's a concise history, the book contains detailed descriptions of figures such as Peter the Great, Ivan the Great, Ivan the Terrible and Stalin. From the dawn of Russian civilization, in what it's now Ukraine, to the collapse of the U.S.S.R, the book will help you understand the mysery, triumphs, and character of what some many have referred to as the giant with feet of clay (Russia).