"The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social change in the Russian Empire, starting in 1917. This period saw Russia abolish its monarchy and adopt a socialist form of government following two successive revolutions and a bloody civil war."
A period of political and social upheaval in Russia from 1917 to 1923 that resulted in the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of the Soviet Union. It was marked by the rise of communism and the Bolshevik Party led by Vladimir Lenin.
Tsarist Russia: The political and economic system that governed Russia before the revolution, characterized by autocracy, serfdom, and a growing discontent among the lower classes.
Revolutionary movements: The various political ideologies and movements that emerged in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Marxism, populism, and anarchism.
World War I: Russia's involvement in the war, including the country's staggering losses, its inadequate military preparations, and the growing opposition to the Tsarist regime.
February Revolution: The spontaneous protests and strikes that broke out in Petrograd in February 1917, leading to the collapse of the Tsarist government and the formation of a provisional government.
Provisional Government: The temporary government that took power after the February Revolution but failed to address the country's economic and social problems or end the war.
Bolsheviks: The radical Marxist party led by Lenin, which staged a coup and seized power in October 1917, establishing the first socialist state in history.
Civil War: The military conflict that broke out after the Bolshevik seizure of power, pitting the Red Army against the White Army in a struggle for control of the country.
Joseph Stalin: The Soviet leader who consolidated power after Lenin's death, and whose policies led to the industrialization and collectivization of the country, but also to political repression and mass terror.
New Economic Policy (NEP): The economic policy pursued by Lenin after the revolution aimed at stabilizing the country's economy and allowing for some private enterprise.
Legacy of the Revolution: The impact of the Russian Revolution on the world, including the spread of Marxist ideology, the establishment of the Soviet Union, and the transformation of global politics.
The February Revolution (1917): The February Revolution began on February 23 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar) and lasted until March 3, 1917. It was marked by mass protests and strikes in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), the capital city of Russia, which ultimately led to the fall of the Tsarist government. The February Revolution was largely a spontaneous movement led by workers, soldiers, and peasants who were dissatisfied with the oppressive Tsarist regime.
The October Revolution (1917): The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, took place on October 25 (November 7 in the Gregorian calendar) and marked the beginning of Soviet rule in Russia. The October Revolution was led by the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and it overthrew the provisional government that had taken power after the February Revolution. The Bolsheviks seized power by force and established the first socialist state in the world.
"With major defeats on the front and increasing logistical problems that affected both the front and the rear, shortages of bread and grain, the Russian Army was steadily losing morale and signs of a potential, large scale mutiny were present. High ranking officials were convinced that if Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, the unrest would subside. Nicholas agreed and stepped down..."
"...the Soviets did insist on a prerogative in order to influence the government and to control various militias."
"Many socialist and other leftist political organizations were engaged in daily struggle and vied for influence within the Provisional Government and the Soviets. Notable factions include the Social-Democrats or Mensheviks, the Social Revolutionaries, Anarchists, and the Bolsheviks..."
"Initially the Bolsheviks were a marginalized faction; however, that changed following a series of developments including the use of their slogan, peace, land, and bread which promised to cease war with Germany, give land to the peasantry, and end the famine caused by Russia's involvement in WWI."
"The volatile situation in Russia reached its climax with the October Revolution, which was a Bolshevik armed insurrection by workers and soldiers in Petrograd that successfully overthrew the Provisional Government, transferring all its authority to the Bolsheviks."
"Vested with state power, the Bolsheviks, within the Soviets, established their own government, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR)."
"Their promise to end Russia's participation in the First World War was fulfilled when the Bolshevik leaders signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918."
"To further secure the new state, the Bolsheviks established the Cheka, a secret police that functioned as a revolutionary security service to weed out, execute, or punish those considered to be 'enemies of the people' in campaigns called the Red Terror."
"...they had many enemies both foreign and domestic that refused to recognize their government. As a result, Russia erupted into a bloody civil war, which pitted the 'Reds' (Bolsheviks), against the enemies of the Bolshevik regime collectively referred to as the White Army."
"In response, Leon Trotsky began ordering workers' militias loyal to the Bolsheviks to begin merging and formed the Red Army."
"...major changes in cities throughout the state, and among national minorities throughout the empire and in the rural areas, where peasants took over and redistributed land."
"The RSFSR initially focused its efforts on the newly independent republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Ukraine."
"Historians generally consider the end of the revolutionary period to be in 1923 when the Russian Civil War concluded with the defeat of the White Army and all rival socialist factions..."
"The victorious Bolshevik Party reconstituted itself into the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and would remain in power for the next 68 years." Please note that due to the limitations of the AI model, it may not always generate the most accurate or specific quotes for each question. It's recommended to review the entire paragraph to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.