socialistic party in Russia. From the beginning they had opposed
the control of affairs by the moderate revolutionists under Kerensky. At
last, in the fall of 1917, helped by the depression caused by the German
advance and by the strikes and food riots which once more broke out in
the capital, they succeeded in winning over to their side the Petrograd
garrison and the navy, and drove Kerensky from the city (November 7).
Their revolt was led by two of the most extreme members of the party,
Lenine and Trotzky, who had at their disposal large sums of money
furnished by Germany.

No sooner were the Bolsheviki in control than they announced themselves
in favor of an immediate peace. They proclaimed that all the land should
at once be divided among the peasants. When the new representative
assembly met to make a constitution, it was found to be too moderate to
suit the Bolshevik leaders, who dispersed it before it could accomplish
anything. The rule of Lenine and Trotzky promised to be even more
tyrannical than anything that had preceded it in Russia.

[Illustration: EUROPEAN BATTLE FRONTS End of 1917]

Meanwhile the Bolsheviki had arranged for an armistice with Germany with
a view toward immediate negotiations for peace. This arrangement for the
cessation of military operations became effective December 7. In spite
of its provisions, however, the Germans, who had taken Riga (ree'ga) in
September, continued their advance into Russian territory. By the close
of 1917 peace negotiations were in progress between Russia and her
enemies. Russia under Bolshevik control had definitely deserted her
allies.

THE BRITISH IN MESOPOTAMIA.--It will be remembered that the Allied war
plans in 1916 had included the junction of Russian armies operating from
the Caucasus with British troops advancing north from the Persian Gulf.
After the disaster at Kut-el-Amara the British still held the territory
about the mouth of the Tigris. In January, 1917, they began a new
advance up the river in the direction of Bagdad. This time their efforts
proved successful. In February, Kut-el-Amara was retaken from the Turks,
and on March 11 the British entered the city of Bagdad. They also
continued their advance a considerable distance along the Bagdad Railway
and occupied much of the Euphrates valley.

Still more important victories would probably have resulted from this
campaign had it not been for the outbreak of the Russian revolution.
This had the eff