In 1917, Russia went through two successful revolutions. The February Revolution brought an end to the Romanov Dynasty. Meanwhile, a few months later, the October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, placed the Bolsheviks in power.
After the February Revolution, the revolutionaries established a provisional government. The provisional government consists of two rival institutions: the Imperial State Duma and the Petrograd Soviet. The Imperial State Duma consists of the legislative assembly in the late Russian Empire. Meanwhile, the Petrograd Soviet represented the city workers and soldiers.
The majority of the provisional government was from the Imperial State Duma. Due to infighting and bad leadership, many became disillusioned with the provisional government. This unrest resulted in the October Revolution led by the Bolshevik Party and the Petrograd Soviet.
The Bolsheviks and Soviets occupied government buildings and strategic points in Petrograd, including the port. Kerensky fled the country and the Bolsheviks became key figures in the new government. However, the October Revolution does not receive international recognition, it launches the Russian Civil War that leads to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Attempts Before the Bolshevik Revolution
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was preceded by unsuccessful attempts to overthrow the imperial government. One such incidence was the Great Bolshevik Bank Heist of 1907. In 1907, the Bolsheviks needed funding for their operations. One faction, led by Kamo, seized a stagecoach bearing new banknotes en route to Tiflis. However, the tsarist government publicized the serial numbers of these new notes. Anyone caught using the stolen notes is arrested, including Kamo, Lenin, and Stalin.
The 3 Russian ruble note from 1905 is one of the notes that the Bolsheviks seize at the time. It featured the imperial coat of arms on the obverse side and also the national emblem on the reverse side.
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