Days That Shook The World: Russia's Two Revolutions of 1917

Everything you need to know about the Russian Revolution in 13 minutes.

This video covers all the major events of Russia's TWO revolutions of 1917– the February Revolution that ended Tsarist rule in Russia, and the October Revolution, that brought the Bolsheviks to power. We explain the causes of Tsar Nicholas II's growing unpopularity - the role of the mysterious Siberian mystic Rasputin, Russia's disastrous involvement in World War One, and the events on the streets of Petrograd that led to the Tsar's abdication. That summer Russia lurched from crisis to crisis, with a Provisional Government that faced riots (the July Days), military revolt (the Kornilov Affair), economic chaos, and constantly dwindling support. Socialist Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky, once hailed as Russia's great hope, was unable to restore order, or, in October, prevent the Bolsheviks from launching a coup, organised by Leon Trotsky and led by Vladimir Lenin, that overthrew the Provisional Government and brought the Bolsheviks to power. A brutal civil war followed, leading to the death of more than 10 million Russians – amongst them Tsar Nicholas II and his family, executed by Bolsheviks at Yekaterinburg in July 1918. From the wreckage emerged the Soviet Union, formed in 1922, and destined to be one of the 20th century's superpowers.

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[jim]

FUN FACT: "One of those who cooked for Rasputin during the Great War was a chef at Petrograd's luxurious Astoria Hotel who went on, after the Revolution, to cook for Lenin and Stalin. He was Spiridon Putin, grandfather of President Vladimir Putin." Simon Montefiore, "The Romanovs", Vintage Books, 2016, footnote, page 600.

[WanderingRusski]

You guys should do a Part 6 to the Russian History Series! Covering the Russian Civil War to the Present. As someone who has parents that came from the Soviet Union I would love to know more about its history. Keep up the good work!

[Henry-Paget]

Epic History TV is an oasis of excellence in the cesspool of Youtube.

[stevea]

For some reason, I can never get enough of the Russian Revolution. It's endlessly fascinating, and terrifying. Great work on this one! One of the best videos I've ever watched on the subject.

[balclava]

This channel truly never fail to impress me, the research, the quality, this is truly one of the best history channels on YouTube

[samwill]

When the military has joined the anti-government protests I think your only option is to pretty much just give up the ghost. When a government no longer holds a monopoly on violence then the only purpose of that former government is to step down before things fracture into bloodletting.

[na]

the ultimate answer to the old question: "what happens to a monarchy when the heir is an idiot?"

[Mr_M_History]

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[starlmo]

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[sheenafrancisco]

I love this Russian history just watch whole entire history of russia

[tonystark]

This is better than most TV documentaries. Excellent work.

[baeinthebay]

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[dqkrzct]

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[DrSchwanz]

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[kowalskiplota]

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[sweetmistral]

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[Weetus]

Thank you man, just started researching on the Russian Revolution for a school project and a new version just came out. tysm. Subbed.

[kathymetzger]

Didn’t know all of this occurred after the take over of the Soviet Union. Have only read about the Czars like Alexander the last Great Czar of Russia, Peter the Great and Nichols and Alexandrine. I am so glad you are putting this on this on this channel.

[HistoryOfRevolutions]

"As long as human labor power, and, consequently, life itself, remain articles of sale and purchase, of exploitation and robbery, the principle of the “sacredness of human life” remains a shameful lie, uttered with the object of keeping the oppressed slaves in their chains"

- Leon Trotsky

[Jacut]

Omitted here is what originally started the 1905 revolution, which itself participated to the Triple Entente, the Russian involvement in WWI and the 1917 revolutions: the disastrous defeat and humiliation of the Russian army - considered the strongest in the world at the time - against the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war. In Russia, you cannot lose a war and stay in power for long.