The revolutionaries were in...

history · 28 February 1917 · 107 years ago

The revolutionaries were in full control of Petrograd, Russia. A Revolutionary headquarters was set up in the Tauride Palace and as the rebellious units of the Russian Army made their way they expected to ally themselves with the State Duma (the Parliamentary institute established following the 1905 revolt, but which Tsar Nicholas had now ordered to be dissolved). It was soon apparent however that the real power at the Tauride Palace laid in the hands of the Soviet (council) of Workers' and Soldier's Deputies, who despite a show of support for Alexander Kerensky's Provisional Government, had an agenda of their own. News of the insurrection in Petrograd reaches the Tsar, who was away on a tour of inspection of front-line units. He hastily set out to return to the capital but his train was diverted to Pskov, the Headquarters of General Russky's Northern Army Group. Unknown to Tsar Nicholas, Russky, who the Tsar believed to be a loyal subordinate, had been given secret orders by Rodzianko, the President of the Dumo (supported by some members of the General Staff) to persuading the Tsar to abdicate. 

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