The Bolshevik Revolution, also known as the October Revolution or the Russian Revolution, was a pivotal event in the early 20th century that led to the establishment of the Soviet Union and [[Communism]]. It took place in October 1917 (or November 1917, as per the Gregorian calendar) and marked the overthrow of the Provisional Government by the Bolsheviks, a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP), led by Vladimir Lenin. 1. **Background**: The roots of the revolution can be traced back to the longstanding dissatisfaction among the Russian population with the autocratic rule of the Tsar and the social and [economic inequality](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/economics/inequality-definition/) that characterized pre-revolutionary Russia. The industrial revolution brought rapid urbanization and dire working conditions, leading to a growing unrest among the workers. 2. **February Revolution (1917)**: The immediate precursor to the Bolshevik Revolution was the February Revolution, which took place in March 1917 (Julian calendar). It was a spontaneous uprising against the Tsarist regime, fueled by food shortages, war exhaustion from [[World War I]], and widespread discontent with the monarchy. The February Revolution forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate, and a Provisional Government was established, led by a coalition of [liberals](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/authoritarianism/liberalism/) and moderate socialists. 3. **Arrival of Lenin and the April Theses**: In April 1917, Lenin returned to Russia from his exile in Switzerland, thanks to the assistance of the German government, which hoped to weaken Russia's war efforts. Upon his arrival, Lenin presented the April Theses, a set of ten directives that called for transferring power to the Soviets (workers' and soldiers' councils), ending the war, and redistributing land to the peasants. 4. **July Days and Kornilov Affair**: The July Days were a period of spontaneous armed demonstrations in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) by soldiers, workers, and sailors who demanded that the Bolsheviks take power. The Provisional Government managed to suppress the uprising, and Lenin went into hiding. The Kornilov Affair, an attempted coup by General Lavr Kornilov in August 1917, further destabilized the Provisional Government and increased support for the Bolsheviks. 5. **The October Revolution**: On October 25, 1917 (Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, launched a coup against the Provisional Government. The Red Guard, a paramilitary force, occupied key government buildings and communication centers in Petrograd. The Provisional Government was overthrown, and the Bolsheviks declared a new government, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), with Lenin as its leader. 6. **Aftermath and the Civil War**: The Bolshevik Revolution was followed by a bloody civil war that lasted from 1918 to 1922. The Red Army, led by Leon Trotsky, fought against the anti-Bolshevik forces, known as the White Army, which consisted of various factions, including monarchists, liberals, and conservative socialists. The Red Army eventually emerged victorious, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. ![[kremlin.png]] ## Impact of the Russian Revolution The Bolshevik Revolution had far-reaching consequences, both in Russia and worldwide. Some of the key consequences include: 1. **End of the Russian Empire**: The revolution led to the fall of the Russian Empire and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The Provisional Government, which was formed after the February Revolution earlier in 1917, was overthrown by the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin. 2. **Establishment of the Soviet Union**: The Bolsheviks, following the revolution, established the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which later transformed into the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1922. This marked the beginning of the world's first communist state. 3. **Civil War and famine**: The revolution ignited the Russian Civil War (1918-1922) between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (a coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces). The conflict caused immense suffering, with millions of casualties and widespread famine. It also led to significant economic disruption and infrastructure damage. 4. **Political repression**: The Bolshevik government established a one-party state under the Communist Party, suppressing opposition and dissent. This led to the creation of a secret police, the Cheka (later the NKVD and KGB), which carried out mass arrests, executions, and forced labor. 5. **Planned economy**: The Soviet Union implemented a planned economy, which involved the nationalization of industry and collectivization of agriculture. While this led to industrialization and modernization in some sectors, it also resulted in inefficiencies, stagnation, and food shortages. 6. **Impact on global politics**: The revolution had a profound effect on international politics, as it sparked the spread of communist ideology worldwide. The Soviet Union supported revolutionary movements in various countries and became a rival superpower to the United States during the [Cold War](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/cold-war-dictionary/). 7. **Creation of the Eastern Bloc**: After the [[World War II Timeline]], the Soviet Union established satellite states in Eastern Europe, creating the Eastern Bloc. This division of Europe contributed to the tensions and conflicts of the Cold War era. 8. **Inspiration for future revolutions**: The Bolshevik Revolution served as an inspiration for other communist movements and revolutions around the world, such as the Chinese Revolution led by Mao Zedong, the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro, and the Vietnamese Revolution led by Ho Chi Minh.