October Revolution: The Bolshevik Assault on the Winter Palace

On October 25, 1917 (Julian calendar, November 7 by the Gregorian calendar), the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, initiated a pivotal and decisive event in the Russian Revolution by launching an assault on the Winter Palace in Petrograd (modern-day St. Petersburg). This event marked the beginning of the Bolshevik takeover and the establishment of Soviet power in Russia.

Context and Build-Up

Following the February Revolution earlier in 1917, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty, the Provisional Government was established to temporarily govern Russia. However, the Provisional Government faced widespread criticism for its continuation of Russian involvement in World War I, economic hardships, and inability to implement meaningful reforms.

During this turbulent period, the Bolshevik Party, led by Lenin, gained significant support among workers, soldiers, and peasants. The Bolsheviks advocated for “peace, land, and bread” and called for the power to revert to the Soviets—councils of workers’ and soldiers’ deputies—rather than the Provisional Government.

The Assault on the Winter Palace

On the evening of October 25, the Bolshevik forces, supported by the Petrograd Soviet and the Red Guards, moved to take control of key locations across the capital. The Winter Palace, a symbol of tsarist autocracy and the seat of the Provisional Government, became their primary target.

Key Events of the Assault:

1. Strategic Seizure: Bolshevik forces strategically seized bridges, telegraph offices, and railway stations throughout Petrograd to isolate the Winter Palace.
2. Aurora’s Signal: The Aurora cruiser, stationed on the Neva River, fired a blank shot as a signal for the Bolshevik troops to begin their assault on the palace.
3. Limited Resistance: The attack faced minimal resistance. The defenders of the Winter Palace, largely made up of cadets, a women’s battalion, and a small detachment of Cossacks, were overwhelmed.
4. Capture of Provisional Government: By the early hours of October 26, Bolshevik forces entered the Winter Palace. They arrested members of the Provisional Government, except for Alexander Kerensky, who had already fled.

Outcome and Historical Significance

The successful seizure of the Winter Palace effectively marked the overthrow of the Provisional Government and established the Bolshevik-led Soviet state. This event is regarded as one of the most significant moments in 20th-century history, leading to the creation of the world’s first socialist state and eventually, the formation of the Soviet Union in 1922.

The October Revolution fundamentally changed Russia’s political landscape and had a profound influence on global politics, inspiring communist movements worldwide and altering the course of history throughout the century.

The Bolshevik takeover initiated a period of civil war and social upheaval in Russia, as forces loyal to the deposed regime, known as the White Army, opposed the Bolshevik Red Army. This intra-national conflict continued until 1923, solidifying Bolshevik power and leading to the establishment of a government focused on socialist and communist ideologies under the leadership of Lenin.