The Crumbling Empire
Little Misha peered through the frost-covered window of his family's tiny apartment in St. Petersburg. The winter of 1917 was bitter cold, and his breath made little clouds on the glass. Down below, crowds gathered in the snowy streets. ️
"Mama, why are all those people outside?" Misha asked, turning to his mother who stirred a thin soup over their small stove.
Anna wiped her hands on her worn apron and joined her son at the window. Her face looked tired, but her eyes were bright. "They are workers like your papa, little one. They want better lives for their families."
A City of Struggles
The streets of St. Petersburg weren't always as gloomy. Once, the city sparkled with grand palaces where Tsar Nicholas II and rich nobles lived. But now, in 1917, things were very different.
“We work long hours in the factories, but still can’t buy enough bread,” Papa would say at dinner. “And this terrible war makes everything worse.”
The Great War (which we now call World War I) had been going on for three years. Soldiers like Misha's uncle Ivan fought far away, while people at home struggled to find food.
The Family’s Daily Life
Every morning, Papa left before sunrise to work in the big factory. Misha helped Mama keep their one-room home clean and watched his little sister Natasha. Sometimes, they would hear shouting from the streets.
"Why is everyone so angry?" Natasha would ask.
Mama would pull them close and explain simply: "Some people have too much, while others have too little. And the Tsar – our ruler – doesn't understand how hard life is for regular folks like us."
Changes in the Air
One day, Misha's friend Pavel came running up the stairs, his cheeks red from the cold. "My papa says the workers are planning something big!" he exclaimed. "They say things must change!"
The boys watched from their window as more and more people filled the streets. Workers carried signs and shouted for bread and peace. Even some soldiers joined them instead of making them go home.
• Not having enough food
• The long, difficult war
• Working too hard for too little money
• The Tsar not listening to their problems
Hope and Fear
At night, Misha would listen to his parents whisper after they thought he was asleep.
"Things can't go on like this," Papa would say. "Even the soldiers are starting to side with the workers."
"I'm scared," Mama would reply. "But maybe change will bring something better for our children."
The air felt different now – like before a big storm. More workers joined the protests each day. Police tried to stop them, but there were too many people who wanted change.
Little Misha didn't understand everything happening around him, but he knew his city was changing. As he drifted off to sleep, he could hear the sound of marching feet and voices singing in the streets below. Tomorrow would bring something new, but what exactly, nobody knew.
A City Transformed
One evening, Papa came home early, his eyes bright with excitement. "The soldiers have joined us!" he announced. "Even the Tsar's own guards are taking our side!"
Misha looked out at the streets filled with people. Workers and soldiers marched together, carrying red flags that looked like flames against the white snow. The revolution had begun, and nothing would ever be the same.
The End of the Tsar’s Rule
The cold February morning brought big changes to Petrograd. Misha woke up to the sound of thousands of feet marching in the streets. More people than ever before filled every road and square.
The Big Protest
“Look, Mama!” Misha pointed out the window. “The whole city is outside!”
Women factory workers led the way, carrying signs that read “We Want Bread!” Behind them came men from the factories, students, and even soldiers who had switched sides. The people weren’t afraid anymore.
“The soldiers are with us now,” Papa said with a smile. “They won’t shoot their own brothers and sisters.”
A Brave Decision
In the factory where Papa worked, the workers made a bold choice. They decided to stop working until things got better. This was called a strike.
“But Papa, won’t you get in trouble?” Misha asked worriedly.
“Sometimes we must be brave to make things right,” Papa explained, hugging Misha tight.
• They wanted more food
• They wanted to stop the war
• They wanted better jobs
• They wanted a new leader
The Big Change
News spread quickly through the city. The Tsar’s soldiers were joining the people! Even the special guards who protected the Tsar decided to help the protesters instead.
“The soldiers are our friends now!” Pavel shouted as he ran up the stairs. “My brother says they’re giving their guns to the workers!”
The Tsar Steps Down
One evening, Papa came home with incredible news. The Tsar, who had ruled Russia for so many years, had given up his crown. He wasn’t going to be the ruler anymore!
“What happens now?” Misha asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Now we get to build something new,” Mama said softly. “Something better for all of us.”
A New Beginning
The streets were filled with celebration. People hugged and sang songs about freedom. A group called the Provisional Government took charge of running things until the people could choose new leaders.
That night, as Misha lay in bed, he heard music and happy voices from outside. The city felt different – lighter somehow, as if a heavy weight had been lifted. But this was just the start of even bigger changes to come. ⭐
Through his window, Misha watched the sun set on a city that wasn’t the same as it had been that morning. The old Russia was gone, and a new one was being born right before his eyes.
Lenin Returns Home
The train pulled into Finland Station on a chilly April evening. A man with a bald head and short beard stepped onto the platform. This was Vladimir Lenin, and he was finally home after many years away.
A Special Welcome
Misha and Papa squeezed through the crowd at the station. Hundreds of people waved red flags and cheered. Soldiers played music on shiny brass instruments.
“Who is that man, Papa?” Misha asked, trying to see over the tall people in front of him.
“That’s Lenin,” Papa explained. “He had to leave Russia because the Tsar didn’t like his ideas. Now he’s back to help make things better.”
New Ideas for Russia
Lenin spoke to the crowd with a strong, clear voice. He stood on top of an armored car, waving his cap. ️
“We need peace!” he called out. “We need bread! We need land for the farmers!”
• Stop the war
• Give food to hungry people
• Let farmers own their land
• Let workers run the factories
Summer Changes
As summer came, more and more people started listening to Lenin and his friends, the Bolsheviks. They wore red armbands and handed out papers full of new ideas.
“The government isn’t doing enough,” Pavel’s older brother said one day. “People are still hungry. The war is still going on.”
The October Storm
One cold October night, Misha woke up to loud noises. Red Guards – workers and soldiers who followed Lenin – were taking over important buildings all over the city. ️
“Stay inside,” Mama told him firmly. “It’s not safe outside tonight.”
Through the window, Misha saw groups of people hurrying through the dark streets. Some carried rifles, others carried lanterns.
A Big Victory
The next morning, Pavel burst into their apartment, his eyes bright with excitement.
“We did it!” he shouted. “The Bolsheviks won! Lenin is in charge now!”
Papa nodded seriously. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “Now the real work starts.”
Changes Come Fast
Things started changing quickly after that. The Bolsheviks made new laws almost every day. They promised to end the war and give land to farmers. They said workers would run the factories.
But not everyone was happy about these changes. Some people were scared of what might happen next. Others were angry and wanted to fight back.
As winter came, Misha could feel that bigger changes were coming. The revolution wasn’t over – it was just getting started. Through his frosted window, he watched Red Guards marching through the snowy streets, carrying their red flags high.
Sword and Fire
The snow fell softly outside Misha’s window as he watched soldiers march down the street. But these weren’t the Red Guards he was used to seeing. Their uniforms were different – white and gold.
Two Armies Clash
“Those are White Army soldiers,” Papa explained quietly. “They want to fight against Lenin and the Red Army.”
“But why are they fighting, Papa?” Misha asked, his breath fogging the cold window.
“Some people don’t like the changes Lenin made. They want things to go back to how they were before.”
A City Divided
Life became harder in the city. Food was scarce, and Mama had to stand in long lines to get bread. The streets weren’t safe anymore.
• Empty shops
• Soldiers everywhere
• People leaving the city
• Fighting in the streets
Pavel Makes a Choice
One morning, Pavel came to say goodbye. He wore a new Red Army uniform with a shiny star pin.
“I’m joining the fight,” he said proudly. “We have to protect what we won in the revolution.”
Misha felt tears in his eyes. Pavel had been like a big brother to him. “Will you come back?”
“Of course I will!” Pavel smiled, but his eyes looked sad. “When we win, I’ll come back and tell you all about it.”
The World Takes Sides
Other countries sent soldiers to help the White Army. They brought big guns and tanks. The Red Army got stronger too, with more people joining every day.
Trotsky, a friend of Lenin’s, rode around in a special train. He gave speeches and led the Red Army in battles. His train was painted bright red and had a big star on it.
A Family Split Apart
One day, Misha’s cousin Ivan visited. He wore a White Army uniform.
“You should leave the city,” Ivan told Papa. “It’s not safe here anymore.”
Papa shook his head. “This is our home. We’ll stay and help build the new Russia.”
Ivan left without saying goodbye. Misha never saw him again.
Hard Times Get Harder
Winter turned colder. Mama couldn’t find enough firewood to keep their apartment warm. They wore all their clothes to bed at night.
“At least we’re together,” Mama would say, hugging Misha tight. ❄️
Sometimes at night, Misha could hear shooting in the distance. He would pull his blanket over his head and try to remember happier days, before the fighting started.
News came from far away about battles between the Red and White armies. Cities changed hands, then changed again. The map of Russia looked like a giant chess game, with pieces moving back and forth.
A Time of Hunger
The winter of 1920 was the hardest anyone could remember. Misha’s stomach growled as he helped Mama look for food in their empty kitchen.
Empty Shelves
“Why can’t we buy more food?” Misha asked, looking at the bare cupboards.
“The government needs all the food for the Red Army,” Mama explained. “They call it War Communism. Everyone must share what they have.”
But there wasn’t much to share. The shelves in all the stores were empty. Even the bread lines got shorter because there was less bread to give out.
The Farmers Fight Back
In the countryside, farmers were angry. Soldiers came to take their food for the army.
“It’s not fair!” Misha heard a farmer shout in the street. “We worked hard to grow this food!”
• Government took control of factories
• Farmers had to give up their food
• No more buying and selling in markets
• Everyone got the same small amount of food
Secret Trading
Papa came home one night with a small bag of potatoes.
“Where did you get those?” Mama whispered.
“Best not to ask,” Papa said quietly. “Some farmers are trading food in secret.”
News from Pavel
A letter came from Pavel. His handwriting was messy, like he wrote it in a hurry:
“Dear friends,
The fighting is hard but we are winning. Many farmers are joining the Green Army – they fight against both Red and White armies. But we will make things better soon.
Stay strong,
Pavel”
Changes in the City
The government sent people to run the factories. Workers couldn’t choose where to work anymore. Everyone had to follow strict rules.
“Remember when we could buy candy at the corner store?” Misha asked his friend Natasha.
“Those days seem so long ago,” she said sadly.
Hope in Hard Times
One evening, Papa brought home exciting news. “Lenin is thinking about changing things,” he said. “Maybe we’ll be able to trade at markets again soon.”
Mama smiled for the first time in weeks. “That would be wonderful.”
Outside, the spring sun was melting the last snow. Misha watched a small green shoot pushing up through the dirt in their window box. Maybe things would get better soon.
Seeds of Hope
Spring brought warm sunshine and big changes to Russia in 1921. Lenin announced something new called the NEP – New Economic Policy.
Good News Spreads
“Mama, look!” Misha shouted, pointing to the market square. People were setting up wooden stalls and tables.
“The markets are open again!” Papa said with a big smile. “Now farmers can sell their extra food.”
Small shops started opening too. The shelves weren’t empty anymore. People could buy and sell things like before the war.
A Surprise Visit
One sunny morning, there was a knock at the door. When Mama opened it, Pavel was standing there!
“You’re home!” Misha ran to hug his old friend.
Pavel looked different – older and tired. But his eyes were bright. “The fighting is mostly over now,” he said. “Russia is becoming something new.”
• Markets reopened
• People could own small businesses
• Farmers kept some of their food
• Workers got paid with money again
Building Something New
The city was changing fast. New red flags flew everywhere. Schools taught new things about sharing and working together.
“What’s happening to Russia?” Misha asked Pavel.
“We’re building the first country where workers are in charge,” Pavel explained. “It’s called the Soviet Union.”
Looking Forward
One evening, the family sat together for dinner. The table had more food than they’d seen in years.
“Remember how hungry we were last winter?” Natasha said.
“Things are better now,” Mama smiled. “And they’ll keep getting better.”
A New Beginning
At school, Misha learned about other countries starting to talk to the Soviet Union. Russia wasn’t alone anymore.
“The world is watching us,” Pavel told him. “We’re trying something that’s never been done before.”
As summer came, the window box was full of flowers. Misha thought about how much had changed since that first day when workers marched in the streets. Russia was different now. The old world was gone, but a new one was growing in its place.
That night, looking at the stars, Misha felt hopeful. The hard times weren’t over, but people weren’t hungry anymore. They were building something new together. And even though no one knew exactly what would happen next, they faced the future with courage and determination. ⭐