1917: Communism — A New World Religion

Abstract

The Russian Revolution of 1917 changed the political outlook of much of the human race. The uprising began on 8 March 1917, when a handful of hungry housewives rioted in the streets of Petrograd (St Petersburg), capital of Czarist Russia. The economic hardships and the stupendous losses suffered by the Russians at the beginning of the First Great War had already aroused widespread dissent among all classes and it was not long before the bread riots became anti-government demonstrations. On 11 March soldiers of the Petrograd garrison mutinied. On 12 March, in a vast, unexpected explosion of feeling, the people of Petrograd took to the streets. Unplanned, unforeseen, and uncoordinated, the revolution was underway. This time, unlike the earlier uprising of 1905, which had followed Russia’s defeat by Japan, nothing could stem it. Troops were called out to put down the revolt, but they mutinied and joined the people. Panic seized the city. In an attempt to restore order, the Duma¹³⁶ formed a Provisional Government. On 15 March Czar Nicholas, who was hurrying back to the capital from the front, was forced to abdicate.