Days That Shook The World: Russia's Two Revolutions of 1917

Summary

The script chronicles the tumultuous period in Russian history from Nicholas II's reign to the Bolshevik Revolution. It details the social unrest, economic hardships, and political upheavals leading to the February Revolution, the abdication of the Tsar, and the establishment of the Provisional Government. The narrative then shifts to the Bolsheviks' rise to power, culminating in the October Revolution, the execution of the royal family, and the emergence of the Soviet Union under Lenin's leadership, which would shape the 20th century.

Takeaways

• 👑 Nicholas II's reign began in 1894 over a vast Russian Empire with a diverse population but was marked by the stark contrast between the impoverished masses and the luxurious elite.
• 🌊 The 1905 revolution led to the creation of the State Duma, a national assembly with limited power, reflecting the ongoing struggle against the Tsarist system.
• 💥 World War One was disastrous for Russia, leading to military defeats, food shortages, and economic chaos, which further undermined the Tsar's rule.
• 👑 The Tsar's family was perceived as being out of touch, with rumors of Empress Alexandra's German sympathies and the influence of the mystic Rasputin.
• 🗝️ Rasputin's murder in 1916 was a significant event, indicating the desperation to end his influence over the Tsar, but the damage to the royal family's reputation was already done.
• 👩‍🦱 International Women's Day in 1917 sparked protests over bread shortages, which quickly escalated into a revolution against the Tsarist regime.
• 🏛️ The February Revolution resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II, ending 300 years of Romanov rule and raising hopes for a more democratic Russia.
• 🏛️ The Provisional Government, formed by the State Duma, was to hold power until a new constitution could be established, but it had to share power with the more radical Petrograd Soviet.
• 🔴 The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, gained popularity with their promises of 'Bread, Peace, and Land', capitalizing on the deepening crisis in Russia.
• 🛡️ The Kornilov Affair, an attempted military coup, inadvertently boosted the Bolsheviks' reputation as defenders of the revolution.
• 🔱 The October Revolution saw the Bolsheviks seize power, leading to the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the beginning of a new era in Russian history.
• ⚔️ The Russian Civil War was a brutal conflict that resulted in millions of deaths and ultimately solidified the Bolsheviks' control, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Q & A

Who became the ruler of the Russian Empire in 1894?

Nicholas II became the ruler of the Russian Empire in 1894.

What was the population of the Russian Empire under Nicholas II?

The population of the Russian Empire under Nicholas II was 126 million people.

How many ethnic groups inhabited the Russian Empire during Nicholas II's rule?

The Russian Empire was inhabited by 194 ethnic groups during Nicholas II's rule.

What significant event occurred in 1905 that affected the Russian political system?

In 1905, a revolution forced the Tsar to allow the creation of a state duma, or national assembly, although its power was limited.

How did World War One impact Tsarist Russia?

World War One was disastrous for Tsarist Russia, leading to a series of devastating defeats, food shortages, and economic chaos.

Who was Grigory Rasputin and what was his fate?

Grigory Rasputin was a Siberian mystic and faith healer who had significant influence over the Tsar. He was murdered in December 1916 by Russian aristocrats, possibly with the help of British secret agents.

What triggered the February Revolution in 1917?

The February Revolution in 1917 was triggered by protests over bread shortages, which quickly escalated into widespread demonstrations against the Tsarist rule.

What was the outcome of the February Revolution in 1917?

The February Revolution resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II, ending 300 years of Romanov rule and leading to the formation of a Provisional Government.

Who were the main parties in the Petrograd Soviet and what were their ideologies?

The Petrograd Soviet was dominated by the Socialist Revolutionary Party and the Marxist Menshevik Party, both of which were more radical than the Provisional Government.

What slogan summarized the Bolshevik program during the time of crisis in Russia?

The Bolshevik program was summarized in the slogan 'Bread, Peace, and Land', which appealed to the masses as Russia's economic and military crisis deepened.

What significant event marked the Bolsheviks' seizure of power in October 1917?

The significant event marking the Bolsheviks' seizure of power was the storming of the Provisional Government's headquarters at the Winter Palace on 25th October 1917.

What was the fate of the Romanov family after the Bolsheviks came to power?

After the Bolsheviks came to power, the Romanov family, including Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, children, and servants, were executed in a cellar in Yekaterinburg in July 1918.

What was the outcome of the Russian Civil War and its impact on the Soviet Union?

The outcome of the Russian Civil War was a victory for the Bolsheviks, who consolidated their hold on power and established the Soviet Union as a world superpower, although it remained a single-party state with suppressed opposition or dissent.

Outlines

00:00

👑 The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty

The script details the turbulent reign of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, who inherited a vast empire marred by stark inequalities. His rule was marked by the 1905 revolution that led to the establishment of a limited state duma, and the disastrous impact of World War I on the Russian economy and morale. The Tsar's family was accused of favoring Germany and their association with the mystic Rasputin further eroded public trust. The February Revolution of 1917, initiated by food shortages and led by women, workers, and eventually the military, culminated in Nicholas' abdication, ending the Romanov dynasty after 300 years.

05:05

🔴 The Rise of the Bolsheviks

This section outlines the political upheaval following the February Revolution, focusing on the ascent of the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin. Lenin's return from exile and his opposition to the continuation of World War I, along with his promises of land redistribution and power to the Soviets, resonated with the suffering populace. The script describes the failed military offensives, mutinies, and the Bolsheviks' role in defending Petrograd against General Kornilov's coup attempt. The Bolsheviks' growing influence culminated in their October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government and solidifying their power.

10:13

⚔️ The Russian Civil War and the Birth of the Soviet Union

The final paragraph delves into the aftermath of the Bolshevik seizure of power, including the brutal civil war against the 'White Russian' forces, who were counter-revolutionaries with foreign support. The script recounts the tragic fate of the Romanov family, executed in Yekaterinburg, and the immense human cost of the civil war, with millions of deaths due to conflict, disease, and famine. The Bolsheviks' victory led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, under Lenin's uncompromising leadership, and the suppression of all dissent, extinguishing the early hopes for Russian democracy.

Keywords

💡Nicholas II

Nicholas II was the last Tsar of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his forced abdication in 1917. His reign was marked by significant social unrest and political upheaval, which is a central theme of the video. The script mentions his abdication as a pivotal event leading to the end of Romanov rule, illustrating the broader narrative of the decline of the Russian monarchy.

💡State Duma

The State Duma was a national assembly established in Russia following the 1905 revolution. It was a limited power body that represented a compromise between the Tsar and reformers, as mentioned in the script. The concept of the State Duma is key to understanding the political evolution of Russia, showing the initial steps towards a more democratic system before the 1917 revolutions.

💡World War One

World War One, or the Great War, had a profound impact on Russia, as depicted in the script. It led to devastating defeats for the Russian military, food shortages, and economic chaos, which in turn fueled discontent among the population and contributed to the conditions that led to the 1917 revolutions.

💡Provisional Government

The Provisional Government was formed after the February Revolution and was intended to hold power until a new constitution could be established. The script describes it as sharing power with the Petrograd Soviet, indicating a period of dual authority and political instability in Russia.

💡Petrograd Soviet

The Petrograd Soviet was a council of workers and soldiers that held significant power in the capital city, as highlighted in the script. It was more radical than the Provisional Government and played a crucial role in the political dynamics of the time, ultimately supporting the Bolsheviks' rise to power.

💡Bolsheviks

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were a Marxist political party that opposed the continuation of the war and advocated for the redistribution of land and power to the people. The script outlines their rise in popularity and eventual seizure of power during the October Revolution, which is central to the video's theme of radical change in Russia.

💡Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party and played a decisive role in the October Revolution, as detailed in the script. His return from exile and subsequent actions were instrumental in overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing a socialist state, which is a key narrative in the video.

💡October Revolution

The October Revolution, as mentioned in the script, was the event where the Bolsheviks seized power from the Provisional Government. It marked a significant turning point in Russian history, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union and the end of any hopes for immediate democracy in Russia.

💡Civil War

The Russian Civil War, as depicted in the script, was a brutal conflict between the Bolshevik 'Reds' and the counter-revolutionary 'Whites'. It was a period of immense suffering and loss, with millions of casualties and a significant impact on the country's political landscape.

💡Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was established in 1922 following the Bolshevik victory in the civil war, as stated in the script. It represents the new socialist order that emerged from the revolutions and the subsequent efforts to suppress opposition and dissent, shaping the political identity of Russia for much of the 20th century.

💡Grigory Rasputin

Grigory Rasputin was a Siberian mystic and faith healer who had significant influence over the Tsar and his family, as mentioned in the script. His presence and subsequent murder by Russian aristocrats reflect the intrigue and internal conflicts within the Russian elite during this turbulent period.

Highlights

In 1894, Nicholas II became ruler of a vast Russian empire inhabited by 126 million people from 194 ethnic groups.

Workers and peasants lived in poverty while Russia's elite enjoyed lives of luxury.

1905 revolution led to creation of state duma with limited power.

World War One brought devastating defeats and economic chaos to Russia.

Tsar held responsible for crisis, accused of blocking reform and supporting Germany.

Empress Alexandra and family under influence of Siberian mystic Rasputin, who was later murdered.

1917 protests over bread shortages escalated into calls for Tsar's abdication.

Troop mutiny and government collapse led to Nicholas abdicating, ending 300 years of Romanov rule.

Provisional Government formed but shared power with more radical Petrograd Soviet.

Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, opposed the war and demanded land redistribution and power transfer to Soviets.

Bolshevik slogan 'Bread, Peace and Land' gained mass appeal amid worsening crisis.

Failed Russian offensive and mutinies in 1917 boosted Bolshevik support.

Lenin fled to Finland after crackdown, while Trotsky was arrested.

Kerensky became Prime Minister promising to save Russia from anarchy.

Bolsheviks defended Petrograd against Kornilov's attempted military coup.

Bolsheviks gained majority in Petrograd Soviet and prepared to seize power.

Bolsheviks stormed Winter Palace in October 1917, overthrowing Provisional Government.

Bolsheviks fought brutal civil war against White Russian forces with foreign support.

Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918.

Civil war resulted in millions of deaths and led to Bolshevik victory and Soviet Union creation.

Soviet Union became a world superpower but remained a single party state suppressing dissent.

Hopes for Russian democracy were extinguished by Bolshevik Revolution for decades.

Transcripts

In 1894, Nicholas II became ruler of a  Russian empire that stretched from the  

Baltic to the Pacific, inhabited by 126  million people, from 194 ethnic groups.

It was a country in which workers and  peasants lived in poverty and hardship - while  

Russia's elite - its imperial family and  aristocracy - lived lives of gilded luxury.

There was a long history of struggle in  Russia against the injustices of the system.

And in 1905, a revolution forced the Tsar  to allow the creation of a state duma,  

or national assembly.

But its power was limited, and the compromise  pleased neither the Tsar nor the reformers.

In 1914, this divided empire was plunged  into fresh crisis... by world war.

World War One was a disaster for Tsarist Russia.

At the front, the country suffered  a series of devastating defeats,  

while at home there were food  shortages and economic chaos.

The Tsar was held responsible  for the crisis – after all,  

he was now the army's commander-in-chief, and  he was standing in the way of government reform.  

His German-born wife, Empress Alexandra,  was even thought to be supporting Germany;  

while the entire family was said to have  fallen under the spell of a Siberian mystic  

and faith healer, Grigory Rasputin.

In December 1916, Rasputin was murdered  by Russian aristocrats, possibly with  

the help of British secret agents - both groups  determined to end his influence over the Tsar.  

But in the eyes of many, the  damage had already been done.

On 23rd February 1917, thousands of women  took to the streets of the Russian capital,  

Petrograd, to mark International Women's  Day and protest over bread shortages.

The next day they were joined on  the streets by workers and students,  

carrying placards that read 'Down with the Tsar!'

Troops, ordered to put down the disorder,  mutinied, and joined the protestors instead.

Tsarist officials were arrested, prisons  and police stations were attacked,  

emblems of Tsarist rule smashed and burned.

The government had lost control of the capital.

The Tsar was told by his ministers that  order could only be restored - and Russia  

saved from military defeat - if he gave up power.

So on 2nd March, Nicholas agreed to abdicate.

In just 10 days, 300 years of  Romanov rule had come to an end.

The February Revolution had been  remarkably swift and bloodless,  

and hopes were now high for the creation of  a more democratic, more just Russian state.

Members of the State Duma, the national assembly,  had formed a Provisional Government, which was to  

hold power until a Constituent Assembly was  elected, to give Russia a new constitution.

But in reality, the Provisional Government shared  power with the Petrograd Soviet, a council elected  

by workers and soldiers, that controlled the  capital's troops, transport and communications.

The Petrograd Soviet, dominated by  the Socialist Revolutionary Party  

and the Marxist Menshevik Party, was much more  radical than the Provisional Government...  

yet it supported the Government's  decision to continue the war,  

and honour the commitments that  Russia had made to the Allies.

It was a fateful decision, that ultimately played  into the hands of one of the smaller parties....  

the Bolsheviks.

Their leader, Vladimir Lenin, recently returned  

from 16 years in exile, bitterly  opposed the 'imperialist war'.

He also demanded the immediate redistribution  of land from rich landowners to peasants;  

and the transfer of power from the  'bourgeoise' Provisional Government  

to the people's Soviets, or councils,  that were springing up across Russia.

The Bolshevik programme was summed up in  a simple slogan, 'Bread, Peace and Land'.

And as Russia's economic and military crisis  deepened, its appeal to the masses grew and grew.

In June, a new Russian military offensive ended  in disaster, with 400,000 Russian casualties,  

massive desertions, and the collapse  of army morale and discipline.

In July, soldiers and sailors  in Petrograd mutinied. They were  

joined in the streets by workers, with  Bolshevik support. But troops loyal to  

the Provisional Government opened fire on  the protestors, and dispersed the crowds.

A police crackdown followed, leading to  the arrest of several Bolshevik leaders,  

including Leon Trotsky, while Lenin, with  the help of Josef Stalin, fled to Finland,  

travelling with forged papers under  the name of Konstantin Ivanov...

A socialist, and stirring  orator, named Alexander Kerensky,  

became Russia's new Prime Minister, and was hailed  as the man who would save Russia from anarchy.

The army's commander-in-chief, General Kornilov,  believed Russia's war effort was being undermined  

by chaos at home, and deliberately sabotaged by  men like Lenin, whom he declared a German spy.

So in August, he ordered his men to  march on Petrograd, to 'restore order'.

Bolsheviks played a leading role in the city's  defence against this attempted military coup.

Their most brilliant organiser, Leon  Trotsky, was released from prison,  

and sent armed Bolshevik militias, the 'Red  Guards', to defend key points in the city.

Strikes by railway workers, many of them  Bolshevik supporters, prevented Kornilov  

from moving his men by rail, and his soldiers  began to switch sides, or simply go home.

The Kornilov Affair cast the Bolsheviks  as saviours of the revolution.

And by the end of September, they'd  gained a majority in the Petrograd Soviet.

In October, Lenin decided the time had come.  

He secretly returned from Finland to  Petrograd, and began preparing to seize power.

On 25th October, the Bolsheviks made their move:  

Red Guards and loyal troops seized key  points around the capital, and that night  

they stormed the Provisional Government's  headquarters at the Winter Palace – an event  

later immortalised by Bolshevik propaganda, and  the great Soviet film-maker, Sergei Eisenstein.

Kerensky fled the city at the last  moment, narrowly avoiding capture,  

and the next day, at the Second  All-Russian Congress of Soviets,  

Lenin announced the overthrow  of the Provisional Government.

The following months saw the Bolsheviks  consolidate their hold on power, while fighting a  

brutal civil war against counter-revolutionary, or  'White Russian', forces, who had foreign support.

Some Whites hoped to put Tsar  Nicholas back on the throne.

After his abdication, Nicholas and his family  had been held under guard at Tsarskoye Selo,  

outside Petrograd, where they occupied  themselves with gardening and other diversions.

In summer 1917 the family was  sent to Tobolsk, in Siberia,  

where they lived under house  arrest in the Governor's Mansion.

The following spring, the Bolsheviks  had the family moved to Yekaterinburg.

In July 1918, as White forces approached  the city, Bolshevik soldiers gathered the  

whole family in a cellar – the Tsar, his  wife, their son Alexei, their 4 daughters,  

Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, as  well as 4 servants - and executed them all.

Russia's civil war was one of the 20th  century's most devastating events.  

An estimated 2 million soldiers lost their lives,  

while a typhus epidemic and famine claimed  the lives of a further 9 million civilians.

By the end of 1921, the Bolsheviks had  emerged victorious, and under Lenin's  

determined and uncompromising leadership,  set about building a new socialist order.

The Soviet Union, created in 1922,  

emerged as a world superpower following the  defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

But it would always remain a single party state,  

where all opposition or dissent  was ruthlessly suppressed.

Those brief hopes for Russian democracy,  that flowered amid the euphoria of the  

February Revolution, were extinguished  by the Bolshevik October Revolution,  

and put beyond reach for decades to come.

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