The Petrograd Soviet creates its Military...

Trotsky is arrested after the July Days

1 July 1917

After armed demonstrations by workers and soldiers, the Provisional Government arrested Trotsky and other Bolsheviks. He defended the demonstrators against charges of German conspiracy, while...

Trotsky’s Interdistrict Organization joins the Bolsheviks

1 August 1917

The Interdistrict (Mezhraiontsy) group, with Trotsky among its leading members, joined the Bolshevik Party at its Sixth Congress. The convergence brought together activists who had previously differed...

Trotsky writes from prison as the Kornilov crisis unfolds

1 August 1917

While jailed, Trotsky urged joint defense against General Kornilov’s attempted counterrevolution. The episode showed temporary cooperation between political forces otherwise divided, and the central...

Trotsky is released from prison as the Kornilov threat recedes

4 September 1917

The Provisional Government released Trotsky and other imprisoned Bolsheviks after the failed Kornilov coup. His renewed political activity came amid growing Soviet support for peace and transfer of...

Trotsky is elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet

25 September 1917

As Bolshevik influence grew among workers and the garrison, the Soviet elected Trotsky chairman. The institution’s strength reflected delegates’ response to demands for peace, land, and bread, not...

👉 The Petrograd Soviet creates its Military Revolutionary Committee Current

16 October 1917

The committee organized the defense of the Soviet and coordinated garrison units. Trotsky helped lead it as the Bolsheviks contested the Provisional Government; the MRC became the operational center...

The October insurrection transfers power to the Soviet Congress

25 October 1917

The Military Revolutionary Committee occupied key points and overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd. Trotsky was central to the operation, while the transfer of power was contested across...

Trotsky becomes People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs

8 November 1917

The new Soviet government appointed Trotsky to lead foreign affairs. He published secret treaties and called for an immediate democratic peace, challenging imperial diplomacy while navigating the...

Trotsky announces “neither war nor peace” at Brest-Litovsk

10 February 1918

Trotsky ended negotiations without signing Germany’s terms and declared that Soviet Russia would demobilize but not continue fighting. German forces soon resumed their advance, exposing the risks of...

Trotsky explains the Soviet government’s withdrawal from Brest-Litovsk

1 March 1918

After refusing to sign the imposed terms and Germany resumed its advance, Trotsky defended the decision to accept a harsh treaty as necessary to preserve the new Soviet government. This was a...

The Soviet government signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

3 March 1918

After the German offensive, the Soviet government accepted a treaty that ceded Ukraine, the Baltic provinces, Finland, and other territories. Trotsky had opposed signing under those terms but...

The Petrograd Soviet creates its Military Revolutionary Committee

People in this event

Leon Trotsky

Petrograd Soviet delegates

soldiers

Organizations in this Event

Military Revolutionary Committee

Petrograd Soviet

Related Events

What was the Military Revolutionary Committee’s role in October 1917?

The Military Revolutionary Committee opposed coordinating garrison units during the October insurrection.