The causes of the 1917 russian revolution

The overthrow of the Russian Tsarist autocracy by the urban proletariat in 1917 was arguably the single most important event in the history of Russia. But, as with many revolutions, it was in no way spontaneous. Since the inception of industrialization in Russia in the late nineteenth century a number of crucial events had taken place which would inevitably compound to cause a revolt against the Tsarist regime. Following the fall of the Russian imperial autocracy …

…Government was virtually powerless, it was now only a matter of time before the Provisional Government was overthrown. With the Bolsheviks in control of the Soviet they formed the Military Revolutionary Committee for the defense of the capital against counter-revolution. Lenin pressured the MRC to seize power, and on October 24 and 25 the MRC, under the direction of Trotsky, stormed the Winter Palace. On the afternoon of October 25 Trotsky announced the end of the Provisional Government.