History
What is The Russian Revolution?
The Russian Revolution was a series of upheavals in 1917 that toppled the Russian monarchy and brought the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, to power. It ended centuries of tsarist rule and created the world's first communist state, the Soviet Union.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the russian revolution.
Key things to understand
- 1It took place in 1917, during World War I.
- 2It overthrew the Russian tsar and monarchy.
- 3The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power.
- 4It founded the Soviet Union, the first communist state.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the Russian Revolution?
- A 1917 upheaval that overthrew the tsar and brought the communist Bolsheviks to power in Russia.
- Why did the Russian Revolution happen?
- War, hunger, inequality, and discontent with the tsar's rule fueled mass unrest and revolution.
- What did the Russian Revolution create?
- The Soviet Union — the world's first communist state — reshaping 20th-century history.