The February Revolution: 1917
How did the revolution cause the end of the Romanov Dynasty?
With Mikhail's refusal to become the new Tsar on Friday 3rd March, the 304 year old Romanov Dynasty came to an end and was replaced by two new authorities: The Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.
What were the long-term causes?
Economic and social inequality - Russia's autocratic system was designed to support the privilege powers of the ruling classes. Taxation, serfdom and low wages kept the working class and peasants bitterly poor. Attempts to change this inequality in 1905 were suppressed by the Tsar, generating anger and social discontent. Political crisis - rapid economic growth from the late 19th century led to a growing urban working and middle class. Rising class expectations were dashed by Nicholas, who continually refused to reform or give any power to the Duma. This severed the link between the Tsar and his people, leaving him alone as the focus for discontent.
What were the short-term causes?
Impact of war - military failure resulted in a loss of support for the Tsar from the army and the families of the conscripted. Allowing the Tsarina and Rasputin to control politics disillusioned the ruling elites and intelligentsia. Economic hardships in the war made life increasingly unbearable for the urban working class and peasants. This made the need for change seem vital for many, rather than just a political pipe-dream.
How did the revolution cause a crisis of dual authority?
On 28th February, two rival authorities were created in the chaos of revolution. The Provisional Government form from the Duma and represented the Upper Classes. The Petrograd Soviet was formed by workers and soldiers. Tensions between the two would eventually result in the October Revolution.
What were the immediate causes?
Winter of 1916/1917 - with temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 35 degrees celsius, fuel supplies disappeared, with more than 1000 railways engines freezing and bursting. Factories shut down. Petrograd only received 20% of its necessary daily flour supplies. This catalysed as already volatile situation. Failure to heed warnings - Tsar Nicholas personally received warnings about the severe potential for revolution in but did nothing with them. In January 1917, the Okhrana reported on the troubled mood within Petrograd. On 20th January, Chairman of the Duma Rodzianko met with Nicholas and pleaded with him to institution reforms. Finally in February the British ambassador Sir George Buchanan warned him of impending revolution. With the outbreak of protests, Nicholas failed to respond decisively to the warnings he was receiving from Petrograd, enabling the protests to grow to fever pitch.
