16 March 1917. Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Discussion continued between the Duma Committee and the Executive Committee of the Sovyet all the night of the 15th, and the republican propaganda gained ground. At noon on the 17th, leaflets were issued with the Grand Duke Mikhail’s manifesto drafted by Lvov and Kerenski—renouncing the throne unless called thereto by the vote of a constituent assembly.

Meanwhile the composition of the first Provisional Government was announced. It contained undoubtedly the most prominent public men of non-official Russia, and its loyalty to the Alliance was beyond question.

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The political declaration of the Provisional Government contained the following paragraph—evidently the price it had been forced to pay for temporary agreement with the Sovyet

Paragraph 7.—The military units who took part in the revolutionary movement will not be disarmed or transferred from Petrograd. It seemed necessary to ascertain the real attitude of the Labour Group towards the war, so I asked Harold Williams, who knew everyone,to introduce me to some of its leaders. As we entered the Duma on the 16th we ran into M. Sokolov, a barrister and socialist labour leader. I told him that with all our sympathy for the struggle for freedom, we were naturally anxious regarding the continuation of the war. I assured him that,from the knowledge gained by constant intercourse with the officer class during the war, I was convinced that practically all of them had been in favour of political change, but pointed out how difficult the position of the Russian officer had been made by the issue of Paragraph 7 of the political declaration of the Provisional Government, and by Order No.1of the Sovyet. I handed him a copy of this latter Order, and told him I considered it a deathblow to the Russian army (gibel russkoi armii). Regarding the Government manifesto, Sokolov replied that it was essential to retain in Petrograd troops that the new Government could trust. Their number he estimated at from 60,000 to 80,000, and this he considered a drop in the bucket in comparison with the “ eight millions at the front.” This was, of course, mere prevarication.

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He assured me that there would now be an unbounded enthusiasm for the war that would mean much. There would be no more bribe-takers or traitors. The Labour Party generally was in favour of continuing the war till the enemy was driven from all occupied territory, but was opposed to all conquests, not excluding even the Dardanelles. For this reason they disliked the appointment of Milyukov to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as it was known that he wanted the Dardanelles to be Russian. Sokolov said that it was hoped that work in the munition factories would be resumed on Monday, the 19th. Appearances, however, were against such optimism. The “ heroes of the Revolution ” seemed only to want to bask in the limelight, and could not understand an ally’s anxiety to “ get on with the war.” One soldier said to me in the Duma on the 16th: We have suffered 300 years of slavery, you cannot grudge us a single week of holiday!

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Leon Trotsky

Redaction of the "New World" magazine, Manhattan, 77, New York

What is now happening in Russia will go down in history forever as one of its greatest events. Our grandsons and great-grandsons will speak of these days as of the beginning of a new era in the history of humanity.

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Alexandra Feodorovna Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

Beloved, soul of my soul, my own wee one, ah, how my heart bleeding for you. Love, my Love – it will go well, it must and I don’t waver in my faith. Sweet Angel, oh, me loves you so -- always together, night and day – I feel what you are going through -- and your poor heart. God have mercy, give you strength and wisdom. He won't forsake you. He will help, recompense this mad suffering and separation at such a time when one needs being together. See more

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Anna Vyrubova

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

I have never witnessed – and, in all likelihood, will never witness again – a degree of moral forbearance as great as that exhibited by Her Majesty and her children. “You know, Anya,” said the Empress, “it’s all over for Russia now that the Emperor has abdicated, but we must condemn neither the Russian people nor the troops: the blame does not lie with them.” The Empress knew only too well who was responsible for this atrocity.

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Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich

Petrograd, Russian Empire

A heavy burden has been placed on me by the will of my brother, who has transferred to me the Imperial Throne of all the Russias, at this time of unprecedented hostilities and civil disturbances. See more

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Zinaida Gippius

Sergievskaya 83, Petrograd, Russian Empire

So, the matter with Michael Alexandrovich [Nicholas II’s youngest brother] has been settled. As he was leaving, Kerensky gave the Grand Duke a firm handshake and said “you are a noble man”.

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Provisional Government

Shpalernaya, 47, the Tauride Palace, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Citizens! In our current capacity, the cabinet will adhere to the following principles:

1.Full and immediate amnesty in all cases, religious and political, including terrorist attacks, military revolts and agrarian crimes, and so on. See more

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Nicholas II

Mogilev, Russian Empire

Slept long and deeply. Awoke far beyond Dvinsk. The day was sunny and frost. Talked with my people about yesterday. Read a lot about Julius Caesar. At 8.20 I arrived in Mogilev. All the staff of headquarters were on the platform. I received Alexeev in the compartment. By 9.30 I managed to get over to the house. Alexeev arrived with the latest news from Rodzianko. See more

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Vladimir Lenin Alexandra Kollontai

Zurich, Switzerland

Dear A. M.,

We have just received the second set of government telegrams about the revolution of March in Petrograd. A week of bloody battles by the workers—and Milyukov + Guchkov + Kerensky in power!! On the “old” European pattern.... See more

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Vasily Kravkov

7th Siberian army corps

The staff officers continue to guzzle and gobble – mindlessly and uncontrollably; how insignificant their spiritual baggage, and how mighty their bellies! Which side would these heroes support in the event of a coup? Whichever one seems physically strong in their eyes, of course – and whichever one happens to be personally expedient for them to back!

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Kazimir Malevich

Moscow, Russian Empire

Moses proved the truth with his simple laws, Christ proved the truth of his teaching, but their truths remained unproven, because they still are not understood.

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Mathilde Kschessinska

38, Liteiny ave., Petrograd, Russian Empire

On the second day we heard the worst news we could imagine: the Tsar had abdicated! It seemed so extraordinary that we could scarcely believe it. It was not, it could not be, true! Why should the Tsar have abdicated? What purpose had he in doing so? See more

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15 March

The Russian Empire is no more

Nicholas II: “All around is betrayal, cowardice and deceit!”

Kerensky: “A free Russia has been born, and no one will succeed in prising this freedom from the people’s hands”