In 1917, the Russian Empire was a powder keg waiting to blow. Tensions ran deep between the ruling class of the monarchy and the common people. The Romanov family, led by Czar Nicholas, enjoyed a life of privilege with their grandiose palaces, large amount of servants, fine clothes, food and other luxuries. However, in the meantime, the average citizen starved, waiting in long lines for bread, milk and other basic necessities.
Soviet Union History, Formation of USSR
The people had had enough, especially the women of Russia. On the last Sunday of February in 1917, subsequently International Women's Day on the then Julian calendar in Russia, the women decided to strike on behalf of their male counterparts, the two million soldiers who died in battle. This strike signified the start of the Russian Revolution.
Russian Revolution 1917, Decline of Russian Empire, The Bolsheviks Rise to Power
The women went on strike for "bread and peace" but when "opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later [when] the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote" [source: internationalwomensday.com].
Thus, due to the courage of these women, the once great Russian Empire collapsed. Hopefully, so would the repression that marred it. In its place was the Provisional Government. The people were not satisfied with this form of leadership either and begin to support the Bolsheviks, the revolutionaries who fought for the common people, soldiers and peasants. Led by Vladimir Lenin, on October 25 through 26, the Bolsheviks seized control of the government buildings in Petrograd (St. Petersburg, the capital at the time) and the winter palace. Facing little resistance from the Provisional Govt., they took power and Communist Russia was born.
Feminism After the October Revolution 1917
Alexandra Kollontai was a Bolshevik. She became interested in Marxist theory and joined the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party. After the October Revolution, Kollontai was appointed to the People's Commissar for Social Welfare. Thus, she became the most famous and important woman in the Soviet government.
During her tenure, she founded Zhenotdel, the Women's Department of the Soviet administration, in 1919. Through this department, she championed for the improvement of females, fighting illiteracy to educate women about laws concerning marriage, education and work.
In 1923 Kollontai was appointed Soviet Ambassador to Norway, making her the first woman ambassador in world history. Her legacy also stems from asking Lenin to make International Women's Day a public holiday in the Soviet Union. He obliged. Until 1965, it was a working holiday. However, after a decree in 1965, International Women's Day, every March 8th, became a nonworking holiday in Russia.
From the Russian Revolution to the October Revolution, women in Russia became a powerful force, paving the way for change. With the leadership of Alexandra Kollontai, the status of women improved and International Women's Day became a nonworking Russian holiday.
Jennifer Ciotta - Jennifer Ciotta is the author of I, Putin (Vladimir Putin novel): http://vladimirputinnovel.com.
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