The Bolshevik Revolution commences (according to the Julian calendar, which Russia used at the time of the Revolution. On the Gregorian calendar, the date was November 7).

Understanding a monumental event such as the Bolshevik Revolution, which commenced on October 25, 1917, according to the Julian calendar, employed in Russia at that period, demands a comprehensive exploration into the era’s historical context. In contrast, the Gregorian calendar charts it to November 7. The Bolshevik Revolution was a tumultuous time in Russia’s history, characterized by radical political transformations and societal shifts that reverberated globally.

At the heart of the revolution were the Bolsheviks, a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party led by Vladimir Lenin. They aimed to overthrow the provisional government that had taken power following the fall of the Tsarist regime earlier in 1917, particularly after his abdication in February of the same year, labeled as the February Revolution. The frustrations over the government’s ineffective leadership, coupled with continuing involvement in World War I and escalating economic hardships, primed Russia for a seismic political change led by the Bolsheviks.

Lenin, the revolutionary leader, returned from his exile in April 1917 and started espousing palpable resentment towards the provisional government. Propagating the slogans, “Peace, Land, Bread,” and “All Power to the Soviets,” Lenin encapsulated the aspirations of the war-weary, hungry, and landless populace. The majority of workers, peasants, and soldiers, who constituted the Soviet constituency, were attracted by the promise of a better future, fueling the embers of the Bolshevik Revolution.

The actual overthrow occurred on the night of 25th October 1917 according to the Julian calendar. A military-revolutionary committee of the Petrograd Soviet, under the chairmanship of Trotsky, directed the armed workers and soldiers in their initiative to seize key strategic locations. Key buildings, bridges, and telegraph offices in Petrograd, including the Winter Palace, the Provisional Government’s headquarters, fell into Bolshevik hands without much resistance, marking the commencement of the Bolshevik Revolution.

The aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution was far-reaching and caused substantial changes in Russia’s political landscape. The Bolsheviks proclaimed a new government by the Soviets, the workers’ and soldiers’ councils susceptible to Bolshevik influence. They withdrew Russia from World War I, signed the controversial Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, expropriated and distributed landed estates among the peasants, and nationalized industry and banks.

In terms of global repercussions, the Bolshevik Revolution marked the birth of the world’s first Communist state. The establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922 evidenced this trajectory. The revolution has been a significant influence on subsequent revolutions and anti-colonial struggles worldwide, shaping the 20th-century political landscape.

It’s important to note that the dates pertaining to the Bolshevik Revolution can often cause confusion. According to the Julian calendar, it is said to have commenced on October 25, 1917. However, according to the globally recognized Gregorian calendar, it corresponds to November 7, 1917. This discrepancy is due to Russia’s continued use of the Julian calendar at the time, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.

The Bolshevik Revolution of October 25th, 1917 (or November 7th, according to the Gregorian calendar) not only reshaped Russia but also left an indelible impact on global politics. It stands as a crucial turning point, synonymous with societal upheaval, political rebellion, and the dawn of Communism. Its implications continue to form a significant part of historical and socio-political academic discourse in the 21st century.