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=**The Russian Revolution 1917**=

February 23
International Women’s Day coincided with strikes in Petrograd. A crowd of up to 90 000 workers, predominately female, marched in the city in protest against the lack of food and the futility of war. International Women’s Day had long been a celebration and campaign for women’s rights in political and social spectrums. There was no significant response recorded from the Tsar, Dumas, soldiers, or government.

[[image:http://www.cpcml.ca/images2010/Women/19170223-RussiaStPetersburgIWD.jpg width="516" height="327" align="left"]]February 25
According to General Khabalov, Chief of the Petrograd Military District, up to 240 000 workers were now on strike, demanding bread. Up until now, some Cossacks had been on patrol, but were reluctant to fire on the relatively peaceful crowd. Only some minor acts of violence had occurred. By the 25th, the entire city had gone into a state of shutdown, with ceased public transport and newspaper production. Tsar Nicholas telegrammed Khabalov saying:// ‘I command you to suppress from tomorrow all disorders on the streets of the capital, which are impermissible at a time when the fatherland is carrying on a difficult war with Germany.’ // Tsarina Alexandra messaged Nicholas that: // ‘This is a hooligan movement. Young people run about and shout that there is no bread, simply to create excitement, along with workers who prevent others from working... But all this will pass and become calm, if only the Duma will behave itself.’ //

February 26
This was later defined by Trotsky as the most decisive day of the strikes, as the soldiers began to join the protesters. This turned the strikes into a dangerous revolt. Soldiers patrolled with bayonets and several were seen amongst the crowd, firing on police. The Tsar ordered the Duma to disband immediately. Chairman of the Duma Rodzianko telegrammed the Tsar urging immediate action: // ‘The situation is serious. The capital is in a state of anarchy... It is necessary that some person enjoying the confidence of the whole country be entrusted immediately with the formation of a new government. There can be no delay. Any procrastination is fatal.’ // The Tsar dismissed Rodzianko saying: // ‘more rubbish from that fat pig!’ //