The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a watershed event that profoundly altered Russia’s trajectory and had far-reaching global repercussions. There were two independent uprisings within a year’s time, in February and October, which together made up this revolution.

Protests and strikes in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) in February (Julian calendar) or March (Gregorian calendar) 1917 resulted to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of centuries of Romanov monarchy. The Provisional Government came to power, but it had to deal with a number of problems, including as the ongoing conflict in Europe and rising discontent in Russia.

The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, took power in Russia in the October Revolution of 1917 (Julian calendar) or November Revolution (Gregorian calendar). The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic was founded with the establishment of a socialist government. The liberal policies of the Provisional Government gave way to a communist administration headed by Lenin and his party after this incident.

The Russian Revolution ultimately opened the way for the Russian Civil War (1917-1923) and the foundation of the Soviet Union in 1922. Its ideological and geopolitical effects were felt throughout the 20th century, influencing political developments around the world and the proliferation of communism. Because of its impact on Russia, the Cold War, and the development of modern history, the revolution’s legacy is still being studied and debated today.