REVOLUTION OF 1917

REVOLUTION OF 1917, a crucially important historical event in Russia, which radically changed political, social and economic life of Russia. There are 2 stages: the February Democratic Revolution, which overthrew the Tsarist regime, and the October Revolution, which established the Soviet Power. The February Revolution is caused by a sharp aggravation of social, economic and political crisis in connection with military defeats (ref. World War I), destruction and food crisis. Local bodies of the Provisional Government as well as Gub. and Uyezd Commissars were created in Bashkortostan (in Ufa Gub. the Commissar with the powers of the governor was P.F.Koropachinsky, in Orenburg Gub. — N.A.Kholodkovsky). Between March— April, soviets (councils) were established in all uyezd towns and mining factory settlements. The soviets controlled the work of the commissars and local bodies of the Provisional Government. On March 5th, the Ufa Council of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Representatives was formed. Between March—June, 90 peasant uprisings took place in Ufa Guberniya. The formation of the Bashkir Obl. Bureau in May finally formalized the Bashkir National Movement. In Autumn, the Ufa Bolsheviks were preparing weapons for the seizure of power in Bashkortostan; the armed units of the working militia were formed (ref. People’s Armed Law Enforcement Troops), in parts of the Ufa Garrison were created the so‑called Legions of Freedom, consisting of revolutionary soldiers. The slowness and inconsistency of actions of the Provisional Government after the February Revolution in the solution of workers, agrarian and national issues, and participation of Russia in the World War I led to the deepening of the national crisis and created the prerequisites for the October Revolution. In October, 24th to 25th night, the Winter Palace in Petrograd was seized and the members of the Provisional Government were arrested. On October, 26th, upon the suggestion of the Bolsheviks, a decision was taken to seize power in Ufa and its Guberniya, the Ufa Gub. Revolution Committee was created. By the mid. of November, the Soviet authority relatively peacefully took power on most territory of Ufa Guberniya. A decisive role in this was played by the transition of garrisons of Ufa, Belebey and Zlatoust to the side of the Bolsheviks.