100 years of Russian Revolution: Why do we study Lenin’s April Theses?
By Deirdre Griswold
There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917. The first was called the February Revolution and the second the October Revolution, although the date falls on Nov. 7 by our calendar.
Between February and October 1917 there was an extraordinary period in Russia, when the great masses of people were awakened to the possibility that they could fundamentally change the conditions of their lives.
The first revolution in February started with a huge demonstration of women textile workers who struck on International Women’s Day. Within weeks, the people overthrew the czar and ushered in a period of democracy. Over the next eight months, millions became active in organizations that would shape the future of the country. They were called soviets, which is the Russian word for people’s councils. We might call them people’s assemblies. There were soviets of workers, peasants, soldiers and sailors.
The soviets were both an arena for political debate and a place where the people could express their will in democratic votes — and attempt to carry out what they voted for.
What drove the people to a passionate desire for change?
