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January 9th
More than 100,000 workers are still on strike; the Duma attacks the government failing to respond to food shortages. -
February 19th
The February Revolution begins. The government announces food rationing, leading to panic buying in cities, where food availability is already critically low. -
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February
Strikes continue to expand, with more than 200,000 workers now involved, leading to occasional violent clashes between protesters and police.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. -
March
The leaders of France and Britain formally recognize the Provisional Government as the official government of Russia. -
March
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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March
Nicholas’ brother refuses the throne unless it is offered to him by a constituent assembly elected by the people.This ends more than 300 years of Romanov rule.The Provisional Government issues a set of liberal principles by which it intends to govern.This includes improvements to civil rights and freedoms, amnesties for political prisoners and the organisation of elections for a Constituent Assembly.The Provisional Government issues a decree abolishing the death penalty. -
April
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. -
April
Foreign minister Pavel Milyukov informs the Allies by telegram that Russia intends to remain in the war until its completion. This telegram is leaked to the press, sparking a large public demonstration in Petrograd. -
April
Milyukov resigns. Six Menshevik and SR delegates join the Provisional Government, while Alexander Kerensky replaces Guchkov as war minister. -
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June
The first All-Russia Congress of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Soviets opens; it is dominated by Mensheviks and SR delegates.
June 18th: 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. -
July4th
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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July
The Petrograd uprising causes the liberal coalition in the Provisional Government to collapse. Kerensky becomes prime minister, leading a cabinet filled with socialists.
July 12th: Under pressure from generals, the Provisional Government reintroduces the death penalty for deserting or mutinying soldiers at the front.
July 19th: Kornilov replaces Brusilov as commander-in-chief of the Russian army. -
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August
The ‘Kornilov affair’. General Kornilov declares his intention to march on Petrograd and free the country from radical socialists. He claims to have the approval of the Provisional Government, though this is unclear. Kornilov’s plan to seize control of Petrograd stalls.
