1917 was a pivotal year, marked by significant political and social upheaval, particularly surrounding World War I. This period witnessed major shifts in the global balance of power and profoundly impacted the 20th century.
Political Events
January 16 (Russia): Tsarist government orders the arrest of the leaders of the Central Military-Industrial Committee's Workers Group.
February Revolution (Russia): Beginning in March (late February according to the Julian calendar then in use in Russia), widespread protests and strikes in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg) led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II on March 15. This marked the end of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of a Provisional Government. This event profoundly weakened Russia's war effort and paved the way for the Bolsheviks rise to power later in the year.
March 12 (United States): The United States arm merchant ships so that they may defend themselves from U-boats.
April 6 (United States): The United States officially declares war on Germany, entering World War I. This decision was largely influenced by Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, particularly the sinking of passenger ships like the Lusitania, and the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States.
May 16 (France): Philippe Pétain is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Army, replacing Robert Nivelle.
July 2 (Greece): Greece declares war on the Central Powers, officially joining the Allied side in World War I.
July Crisis (Germany): A political crisis grips Germany with the failure of Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg to secure peace terms, leading to his resignation.
October Revolution (Russia): Beginning on November 6 (late October according to the Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power from the Provisional Government in a nearly bloodless coup. This established the world's first communist state and led to Russia's withdrawal from World War I, solidified in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918.
December 6 (Finland): Finland declares its independence from Russia.
December 7 (United States): The United States declares war on Austria-Hungary.
December 9 (Palestine): Jerusalem is captured by British forces under General Edmund Allenby, marking a significant moment in the Middle Eastern theater of World War I and leading to the eventual British Mandate of Palestine.
Scientific Events
Albert Einstein's Cosmological Constant: While not a single event, 1917 saw the publication of Einstein's paper introducing the cosmological constant to his theory of general relativity. This term was added to achieve a static, non-expanding universe, a prevailing belief at the time, although Einstein would later call it his "biggest blunder" after Edwin Hubble's discovery of the expanding universe.
Cultural Events
The Rite of Spring Riots Continue: While first performed in 1913, Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring continued to provoke strong reactions, with performances and discussions around the controversial ballet resonating throughout 1917. It remained a pivotal work in the development of modern music and dance.
Publication of T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock": This groundbreaking poem, first written years earlier, gains wider recognition in 1917, marking a significant moment in the development of modernist poetry and solidifying Eliot's place as a major literary figure.
Technological Events
Continued development of tanks and aircraft: While not a single groundbreaking invention, 1917 saw significant advancements and tactical development in the use of tanks and aircraft in World War I. These technologies were being rapidly refined and integrated into military strategy.
Events Relevant to the United States
Entry into World War I: As noted above, the United States's declaration of war on Germany in April was arguably the most significant event for the nation in 1917. It marked a departure from a long-standing policy of isolationism and had profound consequences for American society, economy, and international relations.
Espionage Act: Passed in June, the Espionage Act of 1917 was designed to prevent support for enemies of the United States during wartime. However, it also became controversial for its restrictions on free speech, particularly criticism of the government and the war effort.
1917 was a year of profound transformation, shaping the course of the 20th century in ways that continue to resonate today. The political and social upheavals in Europe, particularly the Russian Revolution and the United States's entry into World War I, fundamentally altered the global landscape.