In November 1914, the activities of the Russian Bolsheviks grew increasingly frequent. They actively sought to rally workers and peasants in factories around Saint Petersburg. Their efforts caught the attention of the Russian government; however, the Tsar remained preoccupied with military matters, seemingly indifferent to the unrest, perhaps having grown numb to the waves of revolt and uprising.
On November 3rd, large-scale strikes and demonstrations erupted across Russia in commemoration of the "Bloody Sunday" of 1905. Workers in the capital responded to the Bolshevik call, chanting slogans such as "Down with the war!" and "Bread and peace!" Subsequently, approximately 130,000 men and women from fifty factories in Saint Petersburg staged strikes and marches, marking the beginning of the February Revolution. By the next day, the number of participants had surged to 200,000.
Under Bolshevik leadership, nearly all workers in Saint Petersburg joined the strikes, further amplifying the movement's scale and drawing the Tsar's attention.
"Your Majesty, the situation in Saint Petersburg has become dire. A multitude of workers, incited by the Bolsheviks, are participating in strikes. The entire capital is descending into chaos. If we do not find a way to quell this unrest, it may very well spread nationwide, which would be exceedingly detrimental for us!" exclaimed Interior Minister Pyotr Stolypin, visibly distressed.
"Scoundrels! Those damned agitators should never have been spared. At a time of national crisis, instead of serving the country, they dare to cause us trouble. I will not let this go unpunished. Inform the chief of police in Saint Petersburg to arrest all the instigators, and those who resist shall be hanged! Furthermore, disperse those rabble-rousers! Their duty is to work tirelessly and supply our army with more war materials, not to heed the deceitful calls of these troublemakers against the government and the nation. If the situation spirals out of control, I authorize the use of military force to suppress it!" Tsar Nicholas II declared with a fierce countenance.
The army's recent humiliations at the front had ignited a fire of rage within him, and now, the prospect of rebellion was intolerable. Consumed by anger, Nicholas had resolved to execute the Bolsheviks he captured, intending to instill fear in any who opposed his rule.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Stolypin nodded. Though he believed the Tsar's orders might exacerbate tensions with the populace, he felt no alternative but to employ ruthless measures at this critical juncture.
On November 5th, a large contingent of police raided the workers' command center, arresting over a hundred Bolshevik members and strike leaders. That evening, in a fit of rage, Nicholas ordered the execution of several individuals without trial; dozens were hanged, their bodies displayed on Nevsky Prospect.
The Tsar intended to send a warning to the striking workers, hoping to dissuade them through this display of brutality—a tactic that had proven effective in previous years. However, contrary to his expectations, the executions ignited even greater fury among the strikers.
Bolshevik leaders, including Ulyanov, seized the moment to rally the workers and the populace to take up arms against the Tsar's tyranny, further intensifying the rift between the workers and the Tsarist government.
By November 7th, tens of thousands of workers had gathered on Nevsky Prospect, vociferously demanding the release of the arrested Bolsheviks and strike leaders. Yet, the Tsar's government remained unmoved. Troops from the Saint Petersburg military district established barricades on Nevsky Prospect, positioning machine guns to prevent any further radical actions from the strikers.
"Release them! Let them go!" the workers shouted in anger.
Suddenly, a sharp gunshot rang out, and a worker leader fell, his chest stained crimson with blood.
"Ah! They've killed him! The army is killing us!" a voice cried out from the crowd, inciting a surge of rage as the workers rushed toward the military.
"Stand back! Retreat! Otherwise, we will fire!" shouted an officer, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
Another gunshot echoed, this time striking the officer in the forehead, a gaping hole appearing as blood mixed with brain matter flowed forth. He collapsed to the ground.
The officer's death sparked chaos, igniting a violent explosion of unrest among the workers.
"Fire! Eliminate those rioters!"
"Rat-a-tat-tat!" The army's machine guns unleashed a torrent of bullets, mowing down countless workers as they fell, blood streaming across Nevsky Prospect.
Under the relentless gunfire, the striking workers suffered grievous losses, ultimately forced to retreat. However, if the Tsarist government believed this would quash the workers' uprising, they were gravely mistaken.
Ulyanov and Joseph, upon hearing of the military's assault on the marching workers, were filled with elation.
"Excellent! This will further erode the government's support. Tonight, let our people take action! We shall decisively overthrow Tsar Nicholas II's tyrannical regime!" Ulyanov's eyes gleamed with ambition as visions of victory danced in his mind. This vast nation was poised for a change of leadership, one that he intended to control.
"Yes, leader," Joseph replied, his face alight with the prospect of success. As Ulyanov's key assistant, a triumphant uprising would elevate his status significantly.
That afternoon, the workers of Saint Petersburg initiated their armed uprising. They seized the police headquarters, captured munitions depots, and distributed weapons to the insurgents. The burgeoning revolutionary forces advanced directly toward government facilities, taking key strategic positions. By nightfall, the situation in Saint Petersburg had spiraled into disarray.