The event that led to the rise of the Bolsheviks was the October Revolution of 1917. This uprising was fueled by widespread discontent with the provisional government established after the February Revolution earlier that year. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, capitalized on the people's desire for "peace, land, and bread” and garnered support among workers and soldiers. They staged a coup against the provisional government, successfully seizing power and establishing a socialist state. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a radical transformation in Russian society, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union and extensive political and social changes.