The events of the February revolution were connected with mass demonstration, the disarmament of the police and gendarmerie, the exit of the “bolsheviks” from the underground, activities among workers and soldiers. The first trade unions were organized in the city. All the enterprises and organizations of the city began to hold elections to the Soviet of Workers' Deputies, which began work on March 15. Soon it was merged with the Soviet of Soldiers' Deputies of the Third Army. At the same time, the city and county commissariats began to operate as organs of the Provisional Government. A dual power was established, which lasted for several months.
News of the October revolution in Petrograd was not unequivocally perceived by Polotsk. A large number of soldiers of the 3rd Army of the Western Front influenced the subsequent events. With the support of numerous military units, since November 15 all power in the army has passed into the hands of the Military Revolutionary Committee, formed by the “bolsheviks”.