The February Revolution 1917
how did war cause the February revolution ?
1914 - The Russians invaded Eastern Germany with two large armies but they were totally routed by smaller German forces at the battles of Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes. 1915 - Germany turned the full weight of its power against Russia and launched a series of offensives against the Russian army. The Russians were beaten and large areas of Russian territory were overrun. 1916 - For a time, the Russians did win some victories against the Austrians and regained some territory. But then the German army attacked in support of their Austrian ally and, again, Russia suffered a heavy defeat. - two million soldiers were killed, as were a similar number of civilians - Morale during this time was at a very low ebb and soldiers and civilians alike were looking for someone to blame. - The army was badly led and poorly equipped. - Russian defeats at Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes - the Russians lost 200,000 men - lost the government the support of the army. -The war took 15 million men from the farms and trains had to be used for the war (so they could not bring food to the cities) so there were food shortages and food prices rose, all of which created anger and unrest in Petrograd -The winter of 1916-17 was severe. Food shortages got worse - there was a famine in the cities.
Who arguably was another cause of revolution ?
Gregor Rasputin
Describe Lvov's role
He was heavily involved in the coordination of the Zemstvo attempts to aid war effort & domestic administration in the preceding years. For this reason he was elected the new president of the PG following the Tsar's abdication.
What advantageous and disadvantageous about him ?
He was used to working with different parties who all wished to work in the national interest and so was unsuited to dealing with competing political agendas and parties. He retained 'optimistic liberalism', trusting in the good sense of the Russian people despite the revolutionary turmoil, and for this reasons insisted on drawing up arrangements for a constituent assembly. However this brought delay and undermined what confident existed in 'dual power'.
What did Lvov feel toward the PS ?
That Soviet support lent much- needed legitimacy to a temporary government.
despite 'dual power', who seemed more in charge ?
The PS seemed to have a greater influence over the people, and the liberals who made up the PG seemed to need assistance from the PS in order to bolster their legitimacy to rule.
What was the PS attitude toward the PG ?
This was not the moment for a revolutionary government, and a soviet with influence but without responsibility was the most advantageous role for socialists.
How did government cause the revolution ?
Tsarina Alexandra, now in control of Russia, gained increasing influence over the appointment of ministers to the government. She was determined that no member of the imperial government should ever be in a sufficiently strong position to challenge the authority of her beloved husband. As a result, members of the government tended to be increasingly weak and ineffective men who owed their positions not to their ability and effectiveness, but to winning favour with the Tsarina.
How did the Tsar taking charge of the army cause the revolution ?
he thought that by taking charge, his army would be inspired and would fight with renewed vigour. Unfortunately, the Tsar knew little about the command and organisation of large military forces, and the series of defeats and humiliations continued.The organisation of the Russian army deteriorated and there were massive shortages of ammunition, equipment, and medical supplies. Furthermore the people now felt that he was personally responsible for the defeats in Russia.
What was the majority opinion of the PS ?
that Russia was not ready for a socialist revolution, but rather must undergo a lengthy stage of bourgeois development.
What did people argue about Kerensky ?
that he was much more at home with liberal politicians than socialists and that his role in the Soviet was mainly to make grand speeches. It could be argued that Kerensky enjoyed listening to the sound of his own voice and encouraged a cult of personality around himself.
Describe the return of Lenin
- on 3rd April, Lenin, who had been in exile, was smuggled on a train by the Germans to Petrograd. They hoped that Lenin would act to cause further disturbance in Petrograd and contribute to removing Russia from the war. - he arrived at Finland station in the heart of the working districts of Petrograd on 3rd April.
who are the different people that historians over who was responsible for the fall of the Romanovs ?
- the Tsar for ordering a crackdown on the protests without fully knowing the situation in Petrograd, and being forced to abdicate. - the general staff and Duma leaders who pushed for abdication - the workers of Petrograd in demonstrating and challenging authority -the troops in Petrograd who refused to fight and joined the demonstrations -socialist leaders in politicising the protestors
What was the course of the February revolution ?
1) 14th Feb - Duma reconvened for the first time 2) 23rd Feb - International Women's day led to mass demonstrations in Petrograd 3) 23rd Feb - 200 000 idle workers join demonstrations in Petrograd 4) 24th Feb -Demonstrations continue, Menshevik Duma Deputies discuss the formation of a soviet ( a worker's council ). Tsar sent troops to restore order in Petrograd. 5) 26th Feb - 40 civilians killed at rally, then troops in Petrograd garrison refuse to shoot civilians 6)27th Feb - Nicholas II ordered Genera Ivanov to return to Petrograd with elite troops to restore order 7) 28th Feb - Nicholas II began his return to Petrograd, but his train was diverted to Pskov because of warnings of hostile troops en route. Mensheviks and Central Workers group formed the Petrograd Soviet 8) 1ST March - order no.1 gave soviet control of the armed forces. General Alexeev recalled General Ivanov's expedition 9) 2nd March a Provisional government formed, headed by Prince Lvov. Kerensky was made minister of justice . Negotiations between Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government established dual power. Tsar Abdicates.
What did the PG do in response to the 3rd July?
Called in loyal troops to end the demonstrations and to arrest Bolshevik leaders and clear their headquarters. Kerensky proposed the idea that Bolsheviks were part of a German plot to undermine the February revolution. By 7th June, Lenin had gone into hiding and Trotsky was arrested with other Bolsheviks. Kerensky formed a new coalition government in 9th July, replacing Lvov as Prime Minister.
What was the sovnarkom ?
Council of People's Commissars formed shortly after the October Revolution. It was a legislative body, chaired by Lenin charged with restructuring government systems to build the Soviet Union. There were eleven members called 'Comissars'.
What was the role of the Bolsheviks in the July days ?
Disputed - Lenin was unsure wether the time was right, and possibly faced with the opportunity for power lost his nerve. Or , it may simply be that he did not see it as the right time to strike.
What happened in the 3rd July ?
Encouraged by Bolsheviks in the garrison, workers, soldiers and sailors from the Krondstadt naval base acted as they did in February, this time under the slogan 'All power to the Soviets'. Lenin and the Bolshevik central committee ( elected by the Party Congress, it was where the policy of the Communist party was decided ) gave it their general support, but were hesitant to do anything more.
When was Kerensky appointed & to what ?
In July Lvov resigned and was replaced by Alexander Kerensky as president of PG. Kerensky was a Socialist Revolutionary in the Petrograd Soviet and, to begin with, was Minister ts. for Justice in the Provisional Government. His position was therefore unique.
What was Bloody Sunday?
On the 9 January 1905 a demonstration of factory workers campaigning for better working conditions was brutally put down by Russian soldiers. Up to 200 people were killed and the aftermath brought about a short-lived revolution in which the Tsar lost control of large areas of Russia. Although the revolution failed, it served as a serious warning of what might happen in the future.
Did the July crisis help or hinder the Bolshevik's reputation ?
Whilst it was used by their rivals to damage their name and hinder their activities, it demonstrated their difference from all other parties & their uncompromising stance against the PG.
After the revolution, how was power over Russia distributed ?
the Petrograd Soviet issued Order no1 claiming for itself to control the armed forces - the Soviet must approve orders from the Provisional Government. The PS and PG met in the Tauride Palace and agreed on a document that gave official responsibility to the PG and the power to veto its legislation to the PS. It was called 'dual power ' This mainly involved questions on the control of the military and its democratic structure
