16 March 1917. Vladimir Lenin → Alexandra Kollontai

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

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....

Well, what of it! This “first stage of the first revolution (among those engendered by the war)” will not be the last, nor will it be only Russian. Of course, we shall continue to be against defence of the fatherland, against the imperialist slaughter controlled by Shingaryov + Kerensky and Co.

All our watchwords remain the same. In the last issue of Sotsial-Demokrat we actually spoke of the possibility of a government “of Milyukov and Guchkov, if not of Milyukov and Kerensky”. It turned out that it was both... and: all three together. Lovely! We shall see how the party of people’s freedom (after all, it’s in a majority in the new ministry, since Konovalov is even just a little “more Left”, while Kerensky is certainly more Left!) will give the people freedom, bread and peace.... We shall see!

The main thing now is the press and the organisation of the workers in a revolutionary Social-Democratic party.

All the best,

Yours, Lenin

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10 Like

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✍ Also today

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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

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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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5 Like

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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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3 Like

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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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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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1 Like

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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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4 Like

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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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2 Like

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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”

1917. Zombies, drugs, and progress

Why did the Russian Empire collapse

-14

in Petrograd

-13

in Moscow