The New Home of Communism
Following the 1917 February Revolution, in which the Tsarist regime was toppled, Moscow was once again bestowed the role of capital of the nation. Red Square held a prominent position, becoming a central aspect of the Communist regime. In fact, ‘the first shots of the Bolshevik Revolution in Moscow were fired’ [1]in the Square, signifying its newly restored position in the Communist regime.
The events that originally unfolded in St Petersburg, following the chaotic turn of events during World War One that saw Nicholas I abdicate and end the Russian autocracy, soon translated to Moscow. Although St Peterburg’s riots were said to have been violent, Moscow’s were ‘all over very quickly: a handful of street skirmishes and nothing more’[2].
A video showing how the October Revolution is celebrated in Red Square, showing us its significance.
Instead, the events in Red Square were overshadowed by the political changes that quickly unfolded. The Square became the centre of the Communist leadership, and by the October Revolution, Red Square became more akin to St Petersburg at the time of the February Revolution. It featured the Bolshevik takeover of power, and this is a contributing reason as to why Communist leader, Lenin, still resides in his mausoleum in Red Square.
Red Square here symbolises a battleground of ideas, with the Communists coming out on top. The mass rioting that took part in the Square appears adds to the notion of the Square as a palimpsest of struggle for change, as is evident across the different events that have taken place in the Square thus far.
[1] Brooke, Caroline, Moscow: A Cultural History, Oxford University Press, 2006, p 34
[2] Brooke, Caroline, Moscow: A Cultural History, Oxford University Press, 2006, p 67
Instead, the events in Red Square were overshadowed by the political changes that quickly unfolded. The Square became the centre of the Communist leadership, and by the October Revolution, Red Square became more akin to St Petersburg at the time of the February Revolution. It featured the Bolshevik takeover of power, and this is a contributing reason as to why Communist leader, Lenin, still resides in his mausoleum in Red Square.
Red Square here symbolises a battleground of ideas, with the Communists coming out on top. The mass rioting that took part in the Square appears adds to the notion of the Square as a palimpsest of struggle for change, as is evident across the different events that have taken place in the Square thus far.
[1] Brooke, Caroline, Moscow: A Cultural History, Oxford University Press, 2006, p 34
[2] Brooke, Caroline, Moscow: A Cultural History, Oxford University Press, 2006, p 67