One hundred years ago today working people in war-torn Russia rose up against the hated tsarist autocracy. In late February 1917, strikes and demonstrations escalated into an uprising that clashed with — and eventually won over — the regime’s armed forces. Paradoxically, though the insurrection was led by a broad front of workers and socialists, a small group of liberals ended up in power.
How did the upheaval unfold? What was the role of the different parties? And why did a new revolution happen in October? To celebrate the centennial anniversary of the February Revolution, we’ve put together an introductory guide to this watershed event.
What Caused the Revolution?
By 1917, the tsarist regime had managed to alienate itself from almost every major social group in the country. In many ways, the autocracy was lucky to have survived as long as it did.
Decades of capitalist modernization gave rise to forces that tsarism could not keep in check. First and foremost was the working class. Though wage earners were a minority, their concentration in the big cities and workplaces gave them a political weight far beyond their numbers. Deprived of basic rights and freedoms, and subjected to intense exploitation, workers across the empire turned to radical politics.
