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February Revolution
Despite it happens on March 8th it is known as the February revolution, due to the Russian use of the Julian calendar. On this day over 90,000 protesters went to the streets of St. Petersburg, by march 10th all of St. Petersburg's workers were clashing with the authorities for the goal of bread. -
The Worker's Triumph over the Soldiers
After Tsar Nicholas II ordering some regiments to open fire on potentially hostile protester on March 11th, the people have overcome the regiments the following day, March 12th. This was a consequence of the soldiers defecting to the protester's side one by one. -
The first order of the Petrograd Soviet
The Petrograd Soviet was a society that competed with the Provisional Government for power over the revolution. In an act for power they issued Order No.1; this meant that soldiers and sailors could only follow the orders of the Petrograd Soviet unless the Provisional Government did not contradict them. -
Tsar Nicholas II Abdicates Throne
After the events of the previous 7 days Tsar Nicholas II tried to abdicate his throne to his brother Michael but, he refuses. this was of great importance, as it marked the end of the Russian monarchy and autocracy. -
Kornilov affair
Soon after being appointed commander in chief by Alexander Kerensky (head of the provisional government), Lavr Kornilov attempted to seize power of the Petrograd Soviet by marching an army into Petrograd. This failed miserably, as the Soviet had control over the railways which was needed for reinforcements and supplies thus a railway strike was organised. Because of this failure the Government lost many supporters and Kornilov was fired by Kerensky on the 27th. -
Bolsheviks become majority party in Petrograd Soviet
One of the Bolshevik leaders and a Marxist revolutionary,Leon Trotsky, is elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet at the Smolny Institute. The ability to be the chair of the Petrograd Soviet meant they had great influence over the revolution and Russia as a whole since the Order No. 1 already gave them much power. -
Lenin orders secret Meeting
After the return of Lenin on October 7th a secret meeting occured under his orders. During this meeting, on the 10th, he managed to convince the majority of the Bolshevik leaders to support an armed seizure of power over the whole of the Soviet and the Provisional Government. A date had not been decided but a second revolution was imminent. -
Military Revolutionary Committee
After gaining a majority over the Petrograd Soviet, the Bolsheviks had the ability to create laws to their needs. Via Trotsky, they created the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), which basically meant they could have a revolution against the Provisional government with the legal authority of the Petrograd Soviet. -
Kerensky attempts to shut down Bolshevik propaganda news papers
In the Provisional governments base (the Winter Palace), Kerensky has become suspicious and senses an imminent attack on the Provisional government. In an act of desperation against the Bolsheviks, he orders troops to close down the two newspapers 'Pravda' and 'Izvesta'. This was unsuccessful as the MRC's troops beat Kerensky's; if anything, this increased the probability of a Bolshevik revolution. -
Launch of the Bolshevik Revolution
On the night of the 24th of October leading up to the early hours of the 25th, the Bolshevik revolution has been launched. They seized many strongholds such as bridges and government buildings (e.g.post offices). In addition, they had superiority over the river, with ships supporting the Bolsheviks led by the naval cruiser 'Aurora'. -
Official capture of the Provisional Government
Early, at around 1:30 in the morning, the Winter Palace has been officially captured by the Bolsheviks and the Provisional government had been captured. The palace was only by unprepared cadets and the women's unit. Also the Aurora had fired shots at the palace. Throughout the attack 6 people died, Kerensky was not one of them, he later died in 1970 in America.
