On this day in 1917, the "July Days" began in Petrograd, Russia when soldiers, sailors, and workers took up arms against the Russian Provisional Government, chanting "All Power to the Soviets" and holding Viktor Chernov hostage.

The July Days took place in the context of growing discontent against the Provisional Government and increasing support for the Bolsheviks. A few months earlier, Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin gave his "April Theses", coming out in support of an armed, proletarian insurrection. By July, rank-and-file Bolsheviks were advocating overthrowing the Provisional Government.

On the morning of July 16th, after a disastrous offensive on World War I's Eastern Front, armed soldiers and workers marched through the streets of Petrograd, to the Tauride Palace. These demonstrators marched under the slogan "All Power to the Soviets", firing their rifles into the air and commandeering vehicles.

The following day at Tauride Palace, the crowd demanded to see a government official, and the Soviet Leaders sent out Viktor Chernov, a prominent member of the Socialist-Revolutionary Party. When he tried to calm the crowd, they seized him instead, with one protester famously shouting, "Take power, you son of a bitch, when it is handed to you!" He was released upon the urging on Leon Trotsky.

The military authorities sent troops against the demonstrators, leading to many arrests and deaths. The government disarmed workers, disbanded revolutionary military units, destroyed the headquarters of the Bolshevik Central Committee were destroyed, and ordered the arrest of Lenin, Trotsky, and other Bolshevik leaders.

Lenin was able to flee to Finland, while Trotsky was arrested alongside Anatoly Lunacharsky and Lev Kamenev. Although the Bolshevik Party's power was temporarily limited in the crackdown, they came to power in the October Revolution just a few months later.

Timeline of the Russian Revolution (1917)

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  • PLibreR [he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Making an alt to say this, but holy shit praxis is hard work. I went from like zero engagement in my community to now being involved with multiple orgs, with meet ups and protests like every day. Kinda of overwhelming to be honest 😅 to keep it brief my biggest issue is starting a chapter here, actually having to analyze your communities problems and THEN trying to find a substantial way to change that is the most intimidating aspect. Especially because most local orgs end with the :vote: . That's fine and all, but a ML party should differentiate itself by actively changing these conditions without having to rely on the state. Idk stressed as fuck, have had no sleep but it's nice to be contributing.

    • Frank [he/him, he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Kinda of overwhelming to be honest

      People will be like "pace yourself so you don't burn out" but that's obviously bullshit. Real heads prepare a successor to take over when they burn out and work to ensure that all the contact information is up to date, the books are balanced and all receipts are retained, and your notes are legible and have some kind of organizing system.