The origin of the Russia revolution can be traced back to the dawn of the year 1917 when large number of demonstrations, strikes and incidents of disorder took place in various parts of the country. It has been estimsated that there were 1330 strikes during the months of January and February alone in which 676,300 persons participated.
Though these strikes were primarily undertaken for the attainment of their economic demands, some of the demands were also politically motivated. These strikes in the main took place at Petrograd (the name given to St. Petersburg in 1914) and Moscow.
The government tried to suppress these strikes but could not achieve any success. In view of this failure of the government Grand Duke Alexander urged the Czar to set up an administration which enjoyed the confidence of the people.
However, the Czar did not respond favourably and the disorder continued to grow. Ultimately it assumed the shape of a mutiny because the guards refused to fire on the strikers and turned against their own officers. This further aggravated the revolutionary fire. Annoyed with these developments the Czar ordered the dissolution of the Duma and the government tendered its resignation. A Committee of the Duma was formed which acted as the provisional government.
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This Provisional Committee contained leaders like Alexander Kerensky, Nicholas Chkhidze, Milihukov, Guchkov and other progressive members. The Committee with the support of the leading generals demanded abdication from the Czar. Nicholas conceded this demand and abdicated in favour of his brother Grand Duke of Michael 15 March 1917. However, Michael refused to accept the Crown.
In the meanwhile, on 14 March 1917 about 250 delegates elected from factories and army units in Petrograd organized the Soviet of Workers and Soldier’s Deputies. This Council formed an Executive Committee which assumed various functions of government. It set up a Committee to control the supply of food in Petrograd.
It also set up a militia of workers which was to succeed the police. Thus there were two bodies in Petrograd-the Provisional Government and the Soviets, and both of them claimed authority abandoned by the Czar. Though the formal power rested with the Provisional Government, the real power was enjoyed by the Soviets, who enjoyed effective control over the workers and troops.
The Provincial Government essentially consisted of members of the middle classes who were conservatives by nature and did not genuinely believe in revolutionary methods. The Soviets on the other hand, represented the radical elements. The Soviets fully supported the provisional government and left the administrative responsibility with the provisional government. However, they carried on anti-bourgeois propaganda and incited the peasants to seize the long coveted hand. They also around the workers to take possession of the factories.