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More than 140,000 Russian workers strike in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
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More than 100,000 workers are still on strike; the Duma attacks the government failing to respond to food shortages.
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The February Revolution begins.
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Strikes continue to expand, with more than 200,000 workers now involved, leading to occasional violent clashes between protesters and police.
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The tsar orders troops to fire on unruly protesters, dozens are killed. He also orders the Duma to be permanently dissolved, however this is ignored.
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The tsar met by the Duma’s Provisional Government committee, who demand his abdication. After consulting with his generals, Nicholas abdicates in favour of his brother Michael.
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Nicholas II and his family are detained under house arrest.
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Lenin returns to Russia with the assistance of the German government. On arrival he delivers a speech at Finland Station, which forms the basis of the April Theses.
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On Kerensky’s orders, Russian forces begin a massive military offensive against the Austro-Hungarians in Galicia. The offensive fails, leading to 400,000 Russian casualties.
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: The ‘July Days’ uprising in Petrograd. Workers and soldiers spontaneously revolt, demanding the Soviets or the Bolsheviks take power. Both refuse and the rebellion is crushed by government troops.
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Kornilov replaces Brusilov as commander-in-chief of the Russian army.
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October Revolution begins. The Bolshevik Central Committee declares that “an armed uprising is inevitable”.
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Olsheviks lead an uprising in Tallinn, Estonia.
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Eighteen hours after seizing power, Lenin issues the Decree on Land, calling for the abolition of private ownership, and the Decree on Peace, urging an immediate ceasefire and treaty.
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Bolshevik Red Guards win control of Moscow after a week of bitter fighting
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The new government forms the Vesenkha, the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy.
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Members of the Left SRs are admitted to Sovnarkom, the executive government body of the new government.