Causes of Russian Revolution, Feb 17

Question 1

What were the long term causes of the Russian Revolution in 1917?

Answer 1

• Tsar failed to deal with social & economic problems facing Russia
• WW1 made many of these problems worse e.g. declining living standards and food shortages
• Damage of peoples morale from horrendous casualties and military defeats
• Poor decisions by Tsar e.g. Commander in Chief, leaving Tsarina in control

Question 2

What were the trigger causes of the Russian Revolution in 1917?

Answer 2

• Jan, demonstrations and strikes in Petrograd
• 9 Jan, 140,000 workers went on strike to commemorate ‘Bloody Sunday’ massacre 1905
• Strikes continued, based on food shortages, poor working conditions
• 19 Feb, gov announced bread rationing - intense anger, panic buying etc.
• 23 Feb, International Womens Day - thousands of workers striking in Petrograd, same time workers from Putilov Engineering works striked
• 25 Feb, 200’000 workers striking in Petrograd
• workers made Soviets to put forward demands
• 1 March, Petrograd Soviet made, issued ‘Order no.1’

Question 3

What was Order no.1?

Answer 3

demanded all officers had to be elected by their soldiers

Question 4

What was the response from the government to the mass strikes and demands of the workers?

Answer 4

Tried to regain control of city - police arrested leaders of workers, newspapers closed down, public transport stopped, loyal troops shot protestors

Question 5

What was the response from the army to the mass strikes and demands of the workers?

Answer 5

• 25 Feb, Cossak troops and elite pavlovsky Life Guards refused to fire on demonstrators
• 25 Feb, troops from Petrograd Garrison mutinied and joined protestors

Question 6

What was the result of armys response to the strikes?

Answer 6

Tsar was losing support of army - he relied on army to maintain power - authority weakened

Question 7

What happened to the Duma on the 26 Feb 17?

Answer 7

Tsar ordered suspension of it - instead Duma established 12 man committee to take over running of Russia - undermined Tsars authority - tsar lost political influence

Question 8

What happened on 28 Feb?

Answer 8

Tsar tried to return to Petrograd - strikes prevented him - tsar abdicated March 2nd.