1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology

When was the Russian Revolution? The Russian Revolution broke out in March 1917 because the people were desperate for change. Many Russians were being killed during the First World War, and many more people at home were starving. Both the army and the people turned against their emperor, Czar Nicholas II, whom they blamed. A large crowd demonstrated against him in Petrograd (St. Petersburg). The army refused to crush this rebellion, and the czar was forced to give up his throne. In November 1917, the Communists seized power and Nicholas II and his family were shot. On November 7 (October 25 in the old Russian calendar), armed workers attacked the government buildings in Petrograd.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: Civil War and Revolution