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Anniversary
More than 140,000 Russian workers strike in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. -
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Russian Revolution
More than 100,000 workers are still on strike; food shortages. The February Revolution begins. food rationing, panic buying in cities, where food availability is already low. Marchers gathered for International Women’s Day. Strikes with more than 200,000 workers now involved. The tsar orders troops to fire on unruly protesters, dozens are killed. soldiers in Petrograd shoot their officers rather than obey orders to fire on civilians. -
Abdication
The Tsar met by the Duma’s Provisional Government committee, who demand his abdication. After consulting with his generals, Nicholas abdicates in favour of his brother Michael. -
Ends of the Romanov rule
Nicholas’ brother refuses the throne. This ends more than 300 years of Romanov rule.The Provisional Government issues a set of liberal principles by which it intends to govern. This includes improvements to civil rights and freedoms. -
Lenin returning
Lenin returns to Russia with the assistance of the German government. -
Leaked Telegram
Foreign minister Pavel Milyukov informs the Allies by telegram that Russia intends to remain in the war. This telegram is leaked to the press, sparking anger in Petrograd. -
Change in Government
Milyukov resigns. Six Menshevik join the Provisional Government, while Alexander Kerensky replaces Guchkov as war minister. -
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Casualties.
The first Russia Congress of Workers and Soldiers Soviets opens. It is dominated by Mensheviks and SR delegates. On Kerensky’s orders, Russian forces begin a massive military offensive against the Austro-Hungarians. The offensive fails and causes 400,000 Russian casualties. -
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Revolts
Workers and soldiers spontaneously revolt, demanding the Soviets to take power. Both refuse and the rebellion is crushed by government troops.The Petrograd uprising causes the liberal coalition in the Provisional Government to collapse. Kerensky becomes prime minister, leading a cabinet filled with socialists.Under pressure from generals, the Provisional Government reintroduces the death penalty for deserting or mutinying soldiers at the front. -
Chief in Commander
Kornilov replaces Brusilov as Chief in Commander of the Russian army -
Kornilov’s plan
Kornilov plans to seize control of Petrograd stalls. -
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Bolsheviks release
strikes escalates, 700,000 railway workers on strike. Bolsheviks released from prison.Provisional Government calls a conference of all parties to discuss the crisis. Bolshevik delegates walk out. Bolsheviks hold a voting majority in the Petrograd Soviet. Trotsky is elected as chairman. -
October Revolution
October Revolution begins. The Bolshevik Central Committee declares that “an armed uprising is inevitable”. The Petrograd Soviet creates Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC). -
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Petrograd Soviet and Bolsheviks
Petrograd Soviet and Bolsheviks pass motions for the seizure of power and debate the means by which this should be achieved. Bolsheviks lead an uprising in Tallinn, Estonia. -
Arrest Of Provisional Government
The MRC arrests Provisional Government members in the Winter Palace.Kerensky has fled. Eighteen hours after seizing power, Lenin issues the Decree on Land, calling for the abolition of private ownership, causing ceasefire and treaty. -
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Red Guards
Bolshevik Red Guards win control of Moscow after a week of bitter fighting. The new government abolishes all tsarist ranks, titles and privileges. Elections for the Constituent Assembly commence. These elections take a week to complete and produce a voter turnout of 44 million people. A Bolshevik delegation begins peace negotiations with German officers.
