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WORKERS AND SOLDIERS MARCHING IN THE STREETS OF SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIAN EMPIRE, AFTER TAKING OVER CONTROL OF THE CITY, FEBRUARY 1917

The figure presents a photograph that shows a large group of people carrying rifles as they march down a city street. The people include both men and women. Some of the men are wearing soldiers’ caps and uniforms, but most of the people appear to be civilians.
Keystone-France/Contributor
The makeup of the force shown in the image is best explained by the fact that by 1917

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Final answer:

The image reflects the February Revolution in Russia where soldiers joined workers in protesting against the Tsarist government, leading to Tsar Nicholas II's abdication and the rise of soviets and the Soviet narrative, celebrating figures like Stalin and Lenin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The makeup of the force shown in the image from February 1917 can be best understood in the context of the February Revolution in Russia. A series of events led workers and soldiers to come together against the Tsarist government. Initially, nearly 100,000 people went on strike in Petrograd to protest against the conditions of the time, including the price of food. This strike swelled as days passed, and the government’s attempt to suppress it by calling in soldiers failed when the soldiers, sympathizing with the protestors, refused to fire and ultimately joined the demonstrations.

The situation escalated to the point where the Duma, the Russian legislative body, demanded that Tsar Nicholas II abdicate, which he did in early March. This marked the fall of the Tsarist regime and set the course for the eventual rise of the Soviet government. In the aftermath, soviets, or councils of workers and soldiers, emerged and claimed authority, reflecting the popular desires for 'peace, land, and bread', a phrase that was chanted by the masses. The involvement of both soldiers and civilians in this historical event signifies the broad support for the revolution, as they marched together with a unified goal of change.

Moreover, the figure shows the importance of the Red Army and the Soviet narrative that followed, with leaders like Stalin and Lenin being celebrated for their roles in subsequent revolutions and the victories of socialism. The events of February 1917, therefore, set a precedent for revolution that included a wide array of society members, from different backgrounds and occupations, all engaged in a common revolutionary effort.

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