In the history of the Russian Revolution, the fall and overthrow of the Czarist regime in 1917 is commonly known by which name?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: February Revolution

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
In 1917, Russia experienced two major revolutionary upheavals that transformed its political system. The first led to the fall of the Czar and the end of centuries of monarchy, while the second brought the Bolsheviks to power. These events are often distinguished by the months in which they occurred according to the Russian calendar of the time, which differed from the Western Gregorian calendar.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    • The question specifically asks about the fall of the Czarist regime, not about the later Bolshevik seizure of power.

    • Options include March Revolution, October Revolution, February Revolution, and None of these.

    • Russia used the Julian calendar in 1917, which made dates appear earlier compared to Western calendars.

    • The event that ended the monarchy occurred earlier in the year than the Bolshevik takeover.



Concept / Approach:
The first major revolutionary wave in 1917, which led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and the establishment of a Provisional Government, is commonly known as the February Revolution, because it took place in February according to the Julian calendar used in Russia then. The later Bolshevik takeover is known as the October Revolution, again by the Julian calendar. For the fall of the Czar, the correct label is therefore the February Revolution.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Czar abdicated in early 1917 after strikes, protests, and mutinies in Petrograd. Step 2: Remember that this first phase of the revolution is called the February Revolution because those events occurred in February on the Russian calendar. Step 3: Note that the October Revolution refers to the later Bolshevik seizure of power from the Provisional Government, not to the fall of the Czar. Step 4: Understand that the term March Revolution is sometimes used in Western accounts due to calendar differences, but formal exam oriented naming generally uses February Revolution for the overthrow of the monarchy. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer, following standard naming practice, is the February Revolution.


Verification / Alternative check:
Histories of the Russian Revolution usually organise events into February Revolution and October Revolution, emphasising that the first ended the Romanov dynasty and the second brought the Bolsheviks to power. Some books explain that in the Gregorian calendar, the February Revolution corresponds to events in March, which is why occasional references to a March Revolution appear. However, in school and competitive exam contexts, the fall of the Czar is most commonly labelled the February Revolution, while October is reserved for the Bolshevik uprising.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

    • March Revolution can be confusing because of calendar differences, but it is not the standard term used in exam syllabi; February Revolution is preferred.

    • October Revolution refers specifically to the Bolshevik takeover later in 1917, not to the collapse of the Czarist regime.

    • None of these is incorrect because one of the listed options, February Revolution, correctly describes the event.



Common Pitfalls:
Students often mix up the two revolutions or are confused by the Julian and Gregorian calendars. This can lead them to choose October Revolution or to assume March Revolution is the only correct term. To avoid confusion, it is useful to learn the conventional pair used in most histories: February Revolution for the fall of the Czar and October Revolution for the Bolshevik seizure of power.


Final Answer:
The fall of the Czarist regime in Russia is commonly known as the February Revolution.

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