International Women's Day protests in St. Petersburg mark the beginning of the February Revolution (February 23rd in the Julian calendar).

A city of grand history and immense scale, Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербург, tr. Sankt-Peterburg) stands proudly as Russia's second-largest metropolis. Nestled on the Neva River, where it meets the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, this magnificent urban center is home to roughly 5.4 million residents. Its strategic location and impressive population make it the fourth-most populous city in Europe, the most populous city along the entire Baltic Sea, and notably, the world's northernmost city boasting over one million inhabitants. Throughout its history, it has seen several identities, first as Petrograd from 1914 to 1924, and then as Leningrad from 1924 until 1991, before reclaiming its original name. As Russia's former Imperial capital and a historically crucial port, it holds a unique status, governed today as a federal city.

More than just a city, Saint Petersburg was a bold statement, founded by Tsar Peter the Great on 27 May 1703, on the very site of a captured Swedish fortress. Named in honor of the apostle Saint Peter, its very existence is intricately tied to the birth of the Russian Empire and Russia's pivotal entry into modern history as a significant European power. For an extended period, from 1713 to 1918 (with a brief two-year interlude between 1728 and 1730 when Moscow temporarily served), it reigned as the capital of the Tsardom of Russia and the subsequent Russian Empire. However, the tumultuous events of the October Revolution in 1917 prompted the Bolsheviks to relocate their government back to Moscow, marking the end of Saint Petersburg's tenure as the nation's political heart.

Today, Saint Petersburg continues to wear many hats. Revered as the "Cultural Capital of Russia," it remains a magnet for tourists, drawing over 15 million visitors in 2018 alone. Beyond its cultural allure, it is considered an essential economic, scientific, and tourism hub for both Russia and Europe. Affectionately nicknamed the "Northern Capital" in modern times, it houses several federal government bodies, including the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Heraldic Council of the President of the Russian Federation. It also serves as the seat for the National Library of Russia and is the planned location for the Supreme Court of Russia, alongside being home to the headquarters of the Russian Navy and the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces. The city's profound historical significance is globally recognized, with the Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments proudly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among its many architectural and cultural treasures are the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and most celebrated art museums in the world, and the impressive Lakhta Center, which currently stands as the tallest skyscraper in Europe. Its modern relevance is also reflected in its role as a host city for major international events, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2020.

The February Revolution: Unrest in the Imperial Capital

Yet, beneath the glittering facade of imperial grandeur and cultural splendor, deep currents of discontent were swirling. The February Revolution (Russian: Февральская революция, tr. Fevral'skaya revolyutsiya), known in Soviet historiography as the February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution and sometimes referred to as the March Revolution, marked the critical first of two revolutionary upheavals that swept through Russia in 1917. The primary events of this seismic shift unfolded in and around Petrograd (as Saint Petersburg was then known), the capital of Russia, where long-simmering frustrations with the monarchy boiled over into widespread protests. These protests, initially sparked by food rationing, erupted on 23 February Old Style (which corresponds to 8 March New Style).

The Spark Ignites: Days of Protest and Abdication

What began as protests over bread escalated rapidly, with revolutionary activity lasting for approximately eight intense days. The streets of Petrograd witnessed massive demonstrations and increasingly violent armed clashes between the populace and the police and gendarmes—the last loyal forces upholding the Russian monarchy. The turning point arrived on 27 February O.S. (12 March N.S.), when the capital's garrison forces dramatically sided with the revolutionaries, effectively sealing the fate of the old regime. Just three days later, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, an act that brought a definitive end to the centuries-old Romanov dynastic rule and, by extension, the entire Russian Empire.

Aftermath and Instability: The Provisional Government

The immediate power vacuum was filled by a new body, the Russian Provisional Government, headed by Prince Georgy Lvov, which replaced the Council of Ministers of Russia. However, the euphoria of the Tsar's abdication was short-lived, as the Provisional Government would soon prove to be deeply unpopular and was forced to share what became known as "dual power" with the Petrograd Soviet, a council of workers' and soldiers' deputies that wielded considerable influence. The government's inability to resolve Russia's pressing immediate problems, including severe food shortages and mass unemployment, was exacerbated by its determination to keep the country embroiled in the increasingly unpopular World War I. Following the brutal "July Days," during which the government fatally suppressed hundreds of protesters, Alexander Kerensky ascended to head the government. His administration, however, faced insurmountable challenges, and its failures directly paved the way for the more radical October Revolution, orchestrated by the Communist Bolsheviks, later that same year. While the February Revolution had significantly weakened the country, the October Revolution truly fractured it, leading to the devastating Russian Civil War and ultimately, the formation of the Soviet Union.

Unpacking the Causes: A Complex Web of Factors

The roots of the February Revolution were deeply embedded, and surprisingly, it appeared to break out without any clear leadership or formal planning. Russia had been grappling with a multitude of economic and social problems for years, conditions that were severely compounded after the onset of World War I in 1914. Disaffected soldiers from the city's garrison, frustrated "bread rioters" (many of whom were women in bread lines), and striking industrial workers all converged on the streets. As more and more troops from the undisciplined capital garrison deserted, and with loyal troops preoccupied at the front lines, Petrograd plunged into chaos. This dire situation ultimately led to the Tsar's decision to abdicate, acting on the advice of his generals. In all, over 1,300 people lost their lives during the protests of February 1917. The historiographical reasons for the revolution have varied significantly over time. Russian historians writing during the Soviet Union era frequently cited the "anger of the proletariat against the bourgeois" as the primary cause. Russian Liberals, meanwhile, often pointed to the immense strain of World War I. Revisionist historians have traced its origins back to land disputes that persisted after the serf emancipation era. Modern historians generally attribute the revolution to a complex combination of these factors, while also critically examining the various mythologies that have grown around the event.

Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Petersburg and the Russian Revolution

What is Saint Petersburg?
Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city, located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland. It is a major port, a federal city, and a vital cultural, economic, and scientific center with a rich history, having served as the capital of the Russian Empire for over 200 years.
Why did Saint Petersburg change its name so many times?
The city was founded as Saint Petersburg in 1703. It was renamed Petrograd in 1914 due to anti-German sentiment during World War I (the suffix "-burg" is Germanic). After Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924, it became Leningrad to honor him. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the city officially reverted to its original name, Saint Petersburg, reflecting a return to its historical and cultural roots.
What is Saint Petersburg famous for today?
Today, Saint Petersburg is renowned as the "Cultural Capital of Russia" and a major tourist destination. It is famous for landmarks like the Hermitage Museum (one of the world's largest art museums), the majestic Winter Palace, and numerous palaces, cathedrals, and canals. It also hosts federal government bodies and major sporting events, and features the Lakhta Center, Europe's tallest skyscraper. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What was the February Revolution?
The February Revolution was the first of two revolutions in Russia in 1917. It was a period of mass protests, strikes, and armed clashes primarily in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg), triggered by discontent over the monarchy, food shortages, and the strains of World War I. It culminated in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty, leading to the establishment of the Russian Provisional Government.
Who was Tsar Nicholas II and what was his role in the February Revolution?
Tsar Nicholas II was the last emperor of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his abdication during the February Revolution in March 1917. His government's inability to address widespread discontent, compounded by Russia's disastrous involvement in World War I, severely weakened his authority. Faced with widespread unrest and the defection of military units, he abdicated, ending centuries of Romanov dynastic rule.
What were the main consequences of the February Revolution?
The immediate consequence of the February Revolution was the end of the Russian monarchy and the establishment of the Russian Provisional Government, which shared power with the Petrograd Soviet. However, the Provisional Government's inability to stabilize the country and withdraw from World War I led to further unrest. This instability ultimately paved the way for the October Revolution later in 1917, where the Bolsheviks seized power, which in turn led to the Russian Civil War and the eventual formation of the Soviet Union.