“The great era of a new life began”. The February events of 1917 in the perception of society: a regional aspect

The Russian revolution of 1917 is considered in the regional aspect as a reaction of the population, the religious organizations and the provincial authorities to the February events in Petrograd, i.e. the overthrow of autocracy and the rise to power of the Provisional Government. Based on documents and published materials, the study shows the new trends in public life of Ufa province, the activities of leading religious denominations and authorities, the establishment of the new government bodies and the citizens’ expectations of their actions. The author focuses on the changes in the Muslim society of Russia and Ufa province under the revolutionary events and the attitude of the Muslims to them. The study notes more active involvement of the Muslim community, especially women, in social and political life. The resolutions on a women’s issue adopted by the Russian Muslim congresses and further woman’s election to the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims confirm the above-mentioned fact. In general, the population, religious and public organizations, authorities of the region reacted calmly to the February Revolution of 1917. It proved their readiness for different innovations related to the Constituent Assembly activities.