The Kronstadt rebellion was sparked by a combination of factors including widespread discontent among sailors and citizens in Petrograd. By early 1921, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) was grappling with severe economic hardship, food shortages, and political repression under the Bolshevik leadership. The sailors of the Kronstadt naval fortress, who had been formidable supporters of the Bolsheviks in 1917, began to feel betrayed by the very ideals they had fought for. They raised demands for greater freedoms, including an end to War Communism policies that severely restricted trade and personal liberties.

On March 1, 1921, sailors and workers from Kronstadt openly rebelled against the Bolshevik government, taking control of the fortress and calling for a new democracy. They issued The Kronstadt Manifesto, which articulated their demands, including free elections, freedom of speech, and the dissolution of the Communist Party's monopoly on power. The rebellion not only showcased the deepening rifts within the revolutionary movement but also posed a significant challenge to Lenin’s government, which had portrayed itself as the vanguard of the proletariat.

The Bolsheviks were alarmed by the uprising, fearing it would inspire similar movements across Russia. Within days, they mobilized Red Army troops to quash the rebellion. The conflict escalated, resulting in a brutal suppression of the insurrection by March 17, when the Bolsheviks reasserted control over Kronstadt. This violent clash marked a pivotal moment in the early years of Soviet power, showcasing the clash between revolutionary ideals and the realities of Bolshevik governance.