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The Russian Revolution of 1917

·172 words·1 min·
Stefano
Author
Stefano

The Russian Revolution
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The Russian Revolution of 1917 changed the course of history. In a single year, Russia went from absolute monarchy to a communist regime.

Revolutionary troops in 1917
Revolutionary troops in Petrograd, 1917 - Public domain

1. February Revolution (March 1917)
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Workers and soldiers in Petrograd revolted against hunger and war. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated. A Provisional Government formed alongside workers’ soviets.

2. Lenin’s April Theses
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Lenin returned from exile demanding: immediate peace, land to the peasants, all power to the soviets, no support for the Provisional Government.

Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Lenin - Public domain

3. October Revolution (7 November 1917)
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The Bolsheviks seized power in an organized coup: occupying strategic points, storming the Winter Palace. Lenin issued decrees on peace, land, and power.

4. Consequences
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Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany (March 1918), a civil war erupted (1918-1921).


Conclusion
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The Russian Revolution changed world history: for the first time, a communist party took power. But the dream of a classless society would soon transform into a dictatorship.