February Revolution Flashcards
(42 cards)
What are the causes of the February Revolution?
- Impact of war
- The role of the Tsar
- failure to make political reform
- decision making and incompetence - Desertion of the elites
- strikes and demonstrations
What is the arguement of doubters?
The revolution was the concluding sequence in the collapse of imperial Russia as a result of it’s failure to modernise. Even without the war, the system was already beyond recovery
Why do doubters believe that imperial Russia was headed for revolution regardless of the war?
It was not capable of becoming a modern state due to under lying weaknesses such as a repressive political system, inept government, rapid urbanisation, insufficent economic system and presence of minorities seeking independence
What is the arguement of believers?
Russia in 1914 was not in irrecoverable decline and thus the war was the cause of the revolution
Why do believers believe that Russia would not have had a revolution without WW1?
Other nations such as Japan were capable of quickly modernising and Russia had the means to overcome its backwardness. The devestating effects of WW1 put an end to this
What were the casualties for the Russian Army in WW1?
1.7 millions deaths, 8 million wounded and 2.5 million PoWs
Whom did the Russian Amry consist of?
Largely of rapidly drafted and trained peasants with inexperienced officers from the ranks of the intelligencia
What added to low morale?
inadequate supplies, equipement, food and clothing
What added to the lack of supplies at the front line?
The closing of the Dardanelle straits, a major supply line, caused by Turkey’s entry into the war
How many Russians survived Tannenberg in 1914?
10,000 of 150,000
Notable Russian defeats?
- Tannebberg
2. Masurian Lakes
Where was most of the disillutionment in the army felt?
The rear, with most soldiers at the front remaining loyal
What did Nicholas do which added to bad morale amoung soldiers?
Allowed a large amounts of exemptions from conscription for upper classes
How was demoralisation shown?
Mass surrenders and desertions
How did WW1 lead to a fall in revenue?
decline in foreign trade, pause in grain exports and closure of important trade routes
what drop in revenue did Nicholas contribute to and how?
30% because he banned the production and sale of alcohol, which the ministry of finance relied on for tax revenue
By how much did workers wages and the cost of living rise by due to WW1?
Wages rose 100% and the cost of living rose 300%
What added to food shortages and poor conditions in cities?
rapid urbanisation
What problem did landowners face as a result of the war?
Found it hard to find labourors as peasants were drafted
What percentage of the grain harvest went to cities in 1914 and what had it declined to by 1917?
from 25% of the harvest to 15%
what non-governmental organisations did the Tsar fail to work with?
Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils
What organisation did the Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils for?
The Union of Zemgor
What was the Union of Zemgor and what did it show?
A joint organisationn formed to help with the war effort in 1915 which hinted at a workable alternative to Tsardom
Who headed the Union of Zemgor?
Prince Georgy Lvov
