100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Landmarks and facts you may not now about October revolution of 1917

Learning Russian language in Petrozavodsk students of Enjoy Russian school do not narrow themselves with just Russian grammar exercises and phonetic drills. They talk about art, politics, and history with Russian teachers and each other to learn more about Russia and its society. On the 7th of November people in Russia are going to recall the events of the Great October revolution. In 1918 the Soviet Russia switched to new Gregorian calendar that is why starting with this year the anniversary of October Revolution falls on 7th of November.
Despite the fact the Revolution took place a century ago it remains one of the most discussed topics in modern politics and history. Its contradictive and complex nature with many questions unanswered and mysterious facts unrevealed gives rise to numerous disputes.

The October Revolution chronicle

In March 2017 the emperor Nicholas ll was deposed and the Provisional Government was formed to manage the political situation in the country. On the one hand the Russian monarchy was abolished but every significant change usually takes time. Living through the hard times people were not ready to wait. The army, workers and peasants were extremely dissatisfied with both domestic and foreign politics of the Provisional Government. At list the decision to continue participation in World War l drastically triggered the tidal wave.

At the same time more and more people supported self-formed non-governmental Soviet of Workers’ Deputies sticked up for the reforms and living standard improvement. The armed uprising willing to overthrow the Provisional Government broke out in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) on the night of 25th October. So the Soviet of Workers’ Deputies came into power. All significant city infrastructure objects were occupied. The Provisional Government did not expect that kind of move. By 2 am in the morning all of its members were arrested in the former Emperor’s Palace – Winter Palace.

In the evening of 26 of October the shift of power towards Soviets was proclaimed. Decree of Peace became the first official document of Soviet authorities and implied the start of negotiating process on bringing the War to the end. Vladimir Lenin became the head of the main governmental body, The Council of People’s Commissars.

Facts you may not know about the Russian Revolution

– Russian October Revolution became the first event in the history information about which was transmitting on the radio (Lenin’s address to the peoples of Russia on 26th of October)
– Right after the revolution Norway proposed to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Vladimir Lenin. It was written in the note to the Nobel Committee: “Lenin not only undertakes all possible measures to promote the peace but also takes concrete steps to achieve it.”
– Technically Russian Emperor was not overthrown by someone. He abdicated in favor of his son Alexey and then in favour of brother Michail. In his turn Michail supported the Provisional Government and refused the enthronement.

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Every single historical event deserves hours of discussions simply because it is far more complex than we see it. To get to the crack of a matter one should talk to locals on what they think. To know Russian culture, history and people better seize an opportunity of coming to Petrozavodsk and take Russian lessons with native speaking tutors. Discuss the news, crucial events and interesting topics with volunteers, host family and in the language clubs. Sign up for a course here.