Days That Shook The World_ Russia's Two Revolutions of 1917 - Epic History (360p, h264, youtube)

Nicholas II's Rule
- Ascended to the throne in 1894.
- Russian Empire stretched from the Baltic to the Pacific, comprising 126 million people from 194 ethnic groups.
- Disparity between the impoverished workers and peasants versus the lavish lifestyle of the elite.
- Historical struggles against injustices in Russia, leading to the 1905 revolution, which resulted in the creation of a limited state duma (National Assembly).
- The duma's limited power did not satisfy the Tsar or the reformers.
World War I Impact
- The empire faced a crisis with the onset of World War I in 1914, leading to disastrous military defeats.
- Homefront turmoil: food shortages and economic chaos.
- Tsar Nicholas II became commander-in-chief and was blamed for the war's failures and government instability.
- Empress Alexandra’s suspected alliance with Germany and influence of Grigori Rasputin, a mystic healer, on the royal family, harmed the monarchy's reputation.
- Rasputin was murdered in December 1916 by aristocrats and possibly British agents.
February Revolution
- On 23rd February 1917, women protested bread shortages in Petrograd for International Women’s Day.

Protests and Abdication
- Protests escalated, with workers and students demanding the end of the Tsar.
- The military sided with protesters instead of suppressing them; government control collapsed.
- Nicholas II was persuaded to abdicate on 2nd March 1917 after ministers indicated he could not restore order.
- This marked the end of 300 years of Romanov rule, and the February Revolution was notably swift and bloodless.
Formation of the Provisional Government
- Members of the State Duma created a provisional government till a Constituent Assembly could be elected.
- Power shared with the Petrograd Soviet, more radical and influential among soldiers and workers.
- Despite differences, both supported continued participation in World War I.

Rise of Bolsheviks
- Vladimir Lenin, returned from exile, opposed the war and sought land redistribution to peasants and power transfer to Soviets.
- Slogan: "Bread, Peace, and Land" resonated during economic and military crises.
- Poor military performance, with a disastrous June offensive (400,000 casualties) shook morale.
July Events
- July saw a mutiny by soldiers and workers, but Provisional Government troops violently suppressed it, leading to arrests of Bolshevik leaders.
- Lenin and Stalin fled to Finland using false identities.
- Alexander Kerensky became Prime Minister, seen as a potential savior of Russia.
Kornilov Affair
- General Kornilov attempted to impose order by marching on Petrograd, accusing Bolsheviks of anarchy.
- Bolsheviks defended the city, enhancing their reputation and leading to greater support.

Bolsheviks Gaining Power
- Strikes by railway workers impeded Kornilov's advance; loyalty of soldiers began to wane.
- By late September, Bolsheviks gained majority in the Petrograd Soviet.
- Lenin returned to Petrograd, preparing for seizing power.
October Revolution
- On 25th October, Bolsheviks stormed the Winter Palace, the headquarters of the Provisional Government.
- Kerensky fled, and Lenin announced the government’s overthrow at the 2nd All-Russian Congress of Soviets.
- Bolsheviks consolidated their power amidst a brutal civil war against "White Russian" forces, who had foreign backing.
Fall of the Romanovs
- Nicholas II and his family were under house arrest, later moved to Yekaterinburg.
- In July 1918, facing the White Army threat, the family was executed by Bolshevik soldiers.

Civil War Aftermath
- Russia’s Civil War led to approximately 2 million military deaths, with famine and epidemic claiming an additional 9 million civilian lives.
- By the end of 1921, Bolsheviks solidified power as a superpower post-World War II, maintaining a single-party state.
- The hopes for democracy following the February Revolution were crushed by the bolshevik takeover in October.