More than 140,000 Russian workers strike in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
More than 100,000 workers are still on strike; the Duma attacks the government failing to respond to food shortages.
The February Revolution begins.
Strikes continue to expand, with more than 200,000 workers now involved, leading to occasional violent clashes between protesters and police.
The tsar orders troops to fire on unruly protesters, dozens are killed. He also orders the Duma to be permanently dissolved, however this is ignored.
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.
Nicholas II and his family are detained under house arrest.
Lenin returns to Russia with the assistance of the German government. On arrival he delivers a speech at Finland Station, which forms the basis of the April Theses.
On Kerensky’s orders, Russian forces begin a massive military offensive against the Austro-Hungarians in Galicia. The offensive fails, leading to 400,000 Russian casualties.
: The ‘July Days’ uprising in Petrograd. Workers and soldiers spontaneously revolt, demanding the Soviets or the Bolsheviks take power. Both refuse and the rebellion is crushed by government troops.
Kornilov replaces Brusilov as commander-in-chief of the Russian army.
October Revolution begins. The Bolshevik Central Committee declares that “an armed uprising is inevitable”.
Olsheviks lead an uprising in Tallinn, Estonia.
Eighteen hours after seizing power, Lenin issues the Decree on Land, calling for the abolition of private ownership, and the Decree on Peace, urging an immediate ceasefire and treaty.
Bolshevik Red Guards win control of Moscow after a week of bitter fighting
The new government forms the Vesenkha, the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy.
Members of the Left SRs are admitted to Sovnarkom, the executive government body of the new government.
