From Tsar to U.S.S.R.: Russia's Chaotic Year of Revolution
In January 1917, Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia while Bolshevik Vladmir Lenin lived in exile. By October, revolution had reversed their roles, leaving the former tsar a prisoner and Lenin holding all the power.
All dates in this piece are from the Julian calendar employed in Russia at the time, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in Europe and the U.S. In February 1918 the Soviet government switched to the Gregorian system.
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