RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

The Russian Revolution is the collective term for a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the creation of the Russian SFSR .In 1917, two revolutions swept through Russia, ending centuries of imperial rule and setting in motion political and social changes that would lead to the formation of the Soviet Union. The Emperor was forced to abdicate and the old regime was replaced by a provisional government during the first revolution of February 1917. In the second revolution, during October, the Provisional Government was removed and replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government and thus it is also known as Bolshevik Revolution.                                                                      

The February 1917 Revolution

Czar Nicholas II

 The February Revolution took place in the context of heavy military setbacks during the First World War (1914–18), which left much of the Russian army in a state of mutiny.

Although many wanted a revolution, no one expected it to happen when it did and how it did. On Thursday, February 23, 1917, women workers in Petrograd left their factories and entered the streets to protest. It was International Women's Day and the women of Russia were ready to be heard. Soon more people joined them and by Saturday, February 25, the city of Petrograd was basically shut down -- no one was working.

Czar Nicholas II, who was not in Petrograd during the revolution, heard reports of the protests but did not take them seriously. On March 2 it was made official when Czar Nicholas II abdicated.

Dual Power

A period of dual power ensued, during which the Provisional Government held state power while the national network of Soviets, led by socialists, had the allegiance of the lower classes and the political left. During this chaotic period there were frequent mutinies, protests and many strikes.

October Revolution

The October 1917 Revolution or Bolshevik Revolution

In the October Revolution, the Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and the workers' Soviets, overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd. The Bolsheviks appointed themselves as leaders of various government ministries and seized control of the countryside, establishing the Cheka to quash dissent. To end Russia’s participation in the First World War, the Bolshevik leaders signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918.

Vladimir Lenin

Consequences of the revolution

The main reason for the revolution was to back out from the World War 1. Russia succeeded in doing so but failed to save themselves from entering into the CIVIL WAR. Civil war erupted between the "Red" (Bolshevik) and "White" (anti-Bolshevik) factions, which was to continue for several years, with the Bolsheviks ultimately victorious but at the expense of millions of people killed. In this way, the Revolution paved the way for the creation of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922.




 Source:

http://history1900s.about.com/od/Russian-Revolution/a/RFVussian-Revolution.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/russianrev/