Russian Revolution 1917 – Causes, Events, Leaders, Timeline & MCQs

WORLD HISTORY COMPETITIVE EXAM NOTES

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (1917)

Causes • February Revolution • October Revolution • Lenin • Bolsheviks • MCQs

Complete History Notes by Laxmidhar Sir

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a major political and social event in world history. It ended the centuries-old rule of the Romanov dynasty and brought the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, to power. The revolution took place in two major stages: the February Revolution and the October Revolution.

Exam Focus: The Russian Revolution of 1917 consisted of two revolutions. The February Revolution overthrew Tsar Nicholas II, while the October Revolution brought the Bolsheviks to power under Lenin.

1. Russia Before the Revolution

• Russia was ruled by an autocratic monarch known as the Tsar.
• Tsar Nicholas II was the last emperor of Russia.
• The Romanov dynasty had ruled Russia since 1613.
• Russian society was highly unequal, with wealthy nobles and landowners enjoying privileges while peasants and industrial workers faced difficult conditions.
• Russia entered the First World War in 1914 and suffered heavy military and economic losses.
• Food shortages, inflation, unemployment and public dissatisfaction increased.

2. Major Causes of the Russian Revolution

A. Political Causes

• Russia was governed by an autocratic monarchy.
• Tsar Nicholas II did not introduce sufficient political reforms.
• People had limited political rights and freedom.
• The Duma (Russian parliament) had limited authority.
• Corruption and administrative inefficiency weakened the government.

B. Economic Causes

• Peasants suffered from poverty and shortage of agricultural land.
• Industrial workers faced low wages and long working hours.
• Rapid industrialisation created overcrowded urban settlements.
• Food prices increased while wages failed to keep pace.
• Unemployment and food shortages intensified public anger.

C. Social Causes

• Russian society was divided between privileged classes and poor workers and peasants.
• Peasants demanded land and better living conditions.
• Industrial workers demanded better wages and working conditions.
• Socialist ideas gained support among workers and sections of the population.

D. Impact of the First World War (1914–1918)

• Russia suffered heavy losses on the battlefield.
• Military defeats reduced confidence in the Tsarist government.
• Food and fuel shortages affected ordinary people.
• Inflation and transport problems worsened the economic crisis.
• Soldiers became increasingly dissatisfied with the war and government leadership.

E. Influence of Socialist Ideas

• The ideas of Karl Marx influenced socialist movements in Russia.
• Socialists criticised the unequal distribution of wealth and power.
• Workers' organisations and revolutionary parties demanded political and economic change.
• Lenin developed a revolutionary programme for the Bolshevik Party.

3. Revolution of 1905 – Background

The Revolution of 1905 was an important event before the Russian Revolution of 1917.

• On 22 January 1905, a peaceful workers' demonstration in St. Petersburg was fired upon by troops.
• This event became known as Bloody Sunday.
• Strikes, protests and uprisings spread across Russia.
• Tsar Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto in 1905, promising certain civil liberties and the establishment of a Duma.
• However, the political reforms did not satisfy many revolutionary groups.

4. February Revolution of 1917

The February Revolution began with strikes and demonstrations in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) in 1917.

• Workers protested against food shortages and economic hardship.
• Women workers played an important role in demonstrations demanding bread.
• Large numbers of workers joined the strikes.
• Soldiers in the Petrograd garrison began to support the demonstrators.
• The Tsarist government lost control of the capital.
• Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on 15 March 1917 (New Style).
• The Romanov dynasty came to an end.

Result of the February Revolution: The monarchy was overthrown and a Provisional Government was established. The Petrograd Soviet also emerged as an important centre of power.

5. Provisional Government

• The Provisional Government was formed after the abdication of Nicholas II.
• It initially operated under the leadership of Prince Georgy Lvov.
• Alexander Kerensky later became its head in July 1917.
• The government introduced civil and political freedoms.
• However, it continued Russia's participation in the First World War.
• It failed to solve the problems of food shortages, land distribution and economic hardship.
• Its failure increased support for the Bolsheviks.

Dual Power

After the February Revolution, two major centres of authority existed:

• Provisional Government: The official government formed after the Tsar's abdication.
• Petrograd Soviet: A council representing workers and soldiers.

6. Lenin and the April Theses

Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917 after living in exile.

• He was the leader of the Bolshevik Party.
• He opposed the continuation of the First World War.
• In April 1917, he presented the April Theses.
• He demanded an end to support for the Provisional Government.
• He called for power to be transferred to the Soviets.
• His famous slogan was "Peace, Land and Bread."

Remember: "Peace, Land and Bread" became an important Bolshevik slogan, addressing the demands of soldiers, peasants and workers.

7. October Revolution of 1917

The October Revolution was led by the Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin, with an important organisational role played by Leon Trotsky.

• The Bolsheviks gained increasing support among workers and soldiers.
• They demanded an end to the war and a transfer of power to the Soviets.
• On 7 November 1917 (New Style), Bolshevik forces took control of key locations in Petrograd.
• The Winter Palace, where the Provisional Government was based, was taken.
• The Provisional Government was overthrown.
• A new Soviet government was formed under Lenin.

Result of the October Revolution: The Bolsheviks seized power and established a new government led by Vladimir Lenin.

8. Important Leaders of the Russian Revolution

Leader	Contribution / Identity
Vladimir Lenin	Leader of the Bolsheviks; headed the new Soviet government.
Leon Trotsky	Important organiser of the October Revolution; later played a major role in the Red Army.
Tsar Nicholas II	Last emperor of Russia; abdicated in 1917.
Alexander Kerensky	Head of the Provisional Government from July 1917.
Joseph Stalin	Bolshevik revolutionary who later became leader of the Soviet Union.
Grigory Zinoviev	Prominent Bolshevik leader.
Lev Kamenev	Prominent Bolshevik revolutionary and political leader.
Georgy Lvov	First head of the Provisional Government.

9. Bolsheviks and Mensheviks

Bolsheviks	Mensheviks
Led by Vladimir Lenin.	Associated with leaders such as Julius Martov.
Supported a disciplined revolutionary party.	Favoured a broader party organisation.
Led the October Revolution.	Did not lead the October seizure of power.
Established the Soviet government in 1917.	Remained outside the new Bolshevik-led government.

The Bolsheviks and Mensheviks emerged as factions of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Their differences became increasingly important in the revolutionary period.

10. Important Decrees of the Bolshevik Government

Decree on Peace

The new government called for an end to the war and negotiations for peace.

Decree on Land

Landlord estates were abolished and land was made available for redistribution among the peasantry.

Workers' Measures

The new government introduced measures concerning workers and industrial control, while the state gradually expanded its control over the economy.

11. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)

• Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers on 3 March 1918.
• The treaty ended Russia's participation in the First World War.
• Russia accepted significant territorial losses.
• The treaty was later annulled following Germany's defeat in the war.

12. Russian Civil War (1918–1921/22)

After the Bolsheviks came to power, a civil war broke out between opposing political and military forces.

• Reds: The Bolshevik forces, supported by the Red Army.
• Whites: A diverse collection of anti-Bolshevik forces, including monarchists, liberals and other opponents.
• Leon Trotsky: Played a major role in organising the Red Army.
• Foreign powers also intervened in the conflict.
• The Bolsheviks emerged victorious and consolidated their control over much of the former Russian Empire.

13. Formation of the Soviet Union (USSR)

• The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was officially formed on 30 December 1922.
• It was established as a federation of Soviet republics.
• Vladimir Lenin was the leading figure in the early Soviet government.
• The Soviet Union became an important political and military power during the twentieth century.
• It was dissolved in 1991.

14. Important Timeline of the Russian Revolution

Year / Date	Event
1613	Beginning of Romanov dynasty rule.
22 January 1905	Bloody Sunday.
1905	Russian Revolution of 1905 and October Manifesto.
1914	Russia entered the First World War.
February–March 1917	February Revolution.
15 March 1917	Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II (New Style).
April 1917	Lenin presented the April Theses.
July 1917	July Days demonstrations and unrest.
October–November 1917	October Revolution; Bolsheviks seized power.
3 March 1918	Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
1918–1921/22	Russian Civil War period.
30 December 1922	Formation of the USSR.
1924	Death of Vladimir Lenin.

15. Important Results and Effects

• The Romanov dynasty and Tsarist monarchy came to an end.
• The Bolsheviks established a new Soviet government.
• Russia withdrew from the First World War through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
• Landlord estates were abolished under the new land policy.
• The Soviet state expanded its control over major economic activities.
• Socialist and communist movements gained influence in several parts of the world.
• The USSR was formed in 1922.
• The revolution influenced twentieth-century international politics and ideological debates.

16. Important One-Liners for Competitive Exams

Question	Answer
When did the Russian Revolution take place?	1917
Who was the last Tsar of Russia?	Nicholas II
Which dynasty ruled Russia before the revolution?	Romanov dynasty
Who led the Bolshevik Party?	Vladimir Lenin
Who played a major role in organising the October Revolution?	Leon Trotsky
What were the two main revolutions of 1917?	February and October Revolutions
What was Lenin's famous slogan?	Peace, Land and Bread
Who headed the Provisional Government from July 1917?	Alexander Kerensky
Which treaty ended Russia's participation in World War I?	Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
When was the USSR formed?	30 December 1922
What was Bloody Sunday?	The shooting of peaceful demonstrators in 1905.
Who were the Red Army?	The Bolshevik-led military forces.

17. Important Calendar Fact: Old Style and New Style

Very Important for Exams: Russia used the Julian calendar in 1917, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in much of the world.

• February Revolution: 23–27 February (Old Style) = 8–12 March (New Style).
• October Revolution: 25–26 October (Old Style) = 7–8 November (New Style).

This is why the October Revolution is also described as the November Revolution in some modern accounts.

18. Practice MCQs – Russian Revolution

Choose the correct answer. Check the answer after attempting each question.

1. In which year did the Russian Revolution take place?

A. 1905
B. 1914
C. 1917
D. 1922

Show Answer

Correct Answer: C. 1917

2. Who was the last Tsar of Russia?

A. Alexander II
B. Nicholas II
C. Peter I
D. Alexander III

Show Answer

Correct Answer: B. Nicholas II

3. Which dynasty ruled Russia before the revolution?

A. Tudor
B. Bourbon
C. Romanov
D. Habsburg

Show Answer

Correct Answer: C. Romanov

4. Who was the leader of the Bolshevik Party?

A. Lenin
B. Kerensky
C. Nicholas II
D. Alexander Lvov

Show Answer

Correct Answer: A. Lenin

5. The February Revolution resulted in:

A. Formation of the USSR
B. Abdication of Nicholas II
C. Rise of Napoleon
D. Beginning of World War I

Show Answer

Correct Answer: B. Abdication of Nicholas II

6. Who headed the Provisional Government from July 1917?

A. Lenin
B. Trotsky
C. Alexander Kerensky
D. Stalin

Show Answer

Correct Answer: C. Alexander Kerensky

7. What was Lenin's famous slogan?

A. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
B. Peace, Land and Bread
C. Blood and Iron
D. Workers of Europe

Show Answer

Correct Answer: B. Peace, Land and Bread

8. Who played a major role in organising the October Revolution?

A. Leon Trotsky
B. Louis XVI
C. Mussolini
D. Bismarck

Show Answer

Correct Answer: A. Leon Trotsky

9. Which event took place on 22 January 1905?

A. October Revolution
B. Bloody Sunday
C. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
D. Formation of USSR

Show Answer

Correct Answer: B. Bloody Sunday

10. The April Theses were presented by:

A. Stalin
B. Lenin
C. Kerensky
D. Nicholas II

Show Answer

Correct Answer: B. Lenin

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