Strikes, Violence, Martial Law Hit Russian Capital.

The First Russian Revolution Begins.

Special to The Great War Project.

(9-12 March) On March 10^th a century ago, Russia is facing a real revolution.

“As a general strike began in Russia,” writes historian Martin Gilbert, “Martial Law was declared in Petrograd.”

Tsar Nicholas faces heavy pressure to abdicate the monarchy. But he resists. Violence breaks out.

On these days a century ago, the Tsar is still thinking about territory he will gain for Russia when the war ends. Secret discussions are underway with the French to determine the shape of the Russian Empire.

But Russia’s workers and soldiers have other goals in mind.

Gilbert reports: On March 12^th as Nicholas is on his way to Petrograd, “the soldiers of the Petrograd garrison joined the crowds in the streets of the capital demonstrating against him.”

“There was street fighting when soldiers loyal to the Tsar together with the police sought to maintain order, but they were massively outnumbered.”

Soon fires break out across the city.

“As miseries mounted,” writes historian David Stone, “increasing numbers of soldiers refused to participate in the war any further.” Soldiers refused to obey orders, reports Stone.

Writes historian Martin Gilbert, “The first Russian Revolution had begun.”

Historian Stone reports that “the gathering tension on Russia’s home front finally broke on 8 March, a century ago.

“On that day, marches by large crowds of women…who bore the brunt of bread lines and food shortages triggered spontaneous protest strikes by men as well.”

Reports Stone: “Strikes and demonstrations grew dramatically the next day and again the next.”

Violence is limited, but most of Petrograd’s factories are shuttered.

But it is just a matter of time before violence shakes the capital.

“On March 11^th,” writes Stone, “troops sent into the streets were ordered to shoot into the crowds, and killed several dozen people.”

Concludes Stone, “That step destroyed Tsar Nicholas’s regime.”

Soldiers strongly resist shooting more civilians. They hold meetings on the night of March 12^th. “Unit after unit met and voted to disobey orders to fire on civilians.”

“By March 13^th Petrograd was entirely out of government control.”

In a desperate attempt to gain control of the revolution and avoid complete anarchy in the streets, the leadership of the Russian parliament – the Duma – declare themselves the Provisional Government.

Writes historian Stone, “As soon as the Tsar’s government collapsed, then power in Petrograd and soon in all of Russia was split between two contending bodies…”

The Soviets, which had formed themselves by the spontaneous acts of soldiers and civilians, which have much popular support but no formal legitimacy, “and the Provisional Government which,” according to Stone, “carried some legal authority from the Tsarist days but had at best tepid backing from most Russians.”

Neither commands an army of a million men under arms. That falls to the military command.

The status of the Tsar — as far as the number of troops and rifles he can command — is now not at all clear.

Many generals in the army urge Tsar Nicholas to abdicate.

But on this day a century ago, Nicholas is not yet prepared to take this fateful step.