Section 1: Why did the Tsarist regime collapse in 1917?
Focus Points
- How well did the Tsarist regime deal with the difficulties of ruling Russia up to 1914?
- How did the Tsar survive the 1905 revolution?
- How far was the Tsar weakened by the First World War?
- Why was the revolution of March 1917 successful?
Russia up to 1914
Sergei Witte's Reforms
The economic slump after 1902 led to high unemployment amongst Russians and social tensions in town. Poor harvests in 1900 and 1902 led to starvation and violence in the countryside, which worsened the problem. Under Witte’s industrialization policy, urban workers and peasants were pushed very hard by indirect, yet very high taxes and low wages to pay them. Witte used the surplus from this to pay off interest on foreign loans and buy capital equipment. During his time in office, Witte nearly doubled the kilometers of railway in operation. He also negotiated huge foreign loans, particularly from the French. The problem with these loans was that interest had to be payed regularly.
The economic slump after 1902 led to high unemployment amongst Russians and social tensions in town. Poor harvests in 1900 and 1902 led to starvation and violence in the countryside, which worsened the problem. Under Witte’s industrialization policy, urban workers and peasants were pushed very hard by indirect, yet very high taxes and low wages to pay them. Witte used the surplus from this to pay off interest on foreign loans and buy capital equipment. During his time in office, Witte nearly doubled the kilometers of railway in operation. He also negotiated huge foreign loans, particularly from the French. The problem with these loans was that interest had to be payed regularly.
The Russian Orthodox Church
The Tsar was the head of the Church. Accordingly, the Church reinforced his authority. Among the huge peasant population, the Church was very influential, since the Tsar's ideas could not be spread to his vast and mostly illiterate population through the use of pamphlets or similar documents. Official Church doctrine stated that the Tsar was appointed by God, and that any challenge to the Tsar - the 'Little Father' - was an insult to God. The Church made sure that peasants kept on hearing this message.
The Tsar was the head of the Church. Accordingly, the Church reinforced his authority. Among the huge peasant population, the Church was very influential, since the Tsar's ideas could not be spread to his vast and mostly illiterate population through the use of pamphlets or similar documents. Official Church doctrine stated that the Tsar was appointed by God, and that any challenge to the Tsar - the 'Little Father' - was an insult to God. The Church made sure that peasants kept on hearing this message.
The 1905 Revolution
Causes of the 1905 Revolution
Dissatisfaction with living and working conditions amongst workmen in Russia's cities (e.g. in factories in Moscow and St. Petersburg) was a major part of Russian society as well as one of the main causes of the 1905 revolution. Dissatisfaction with living and working conditions led to revolution because workmen wanted reform and their only way for the Tsar to notice them was for them to protest on the streets. Failure of autocracy to listen to these protests and fail to reform socially, economically and politically led to animosity against the Tsar. Because people lived and worked in cities and factories, ideas of revolution could be spread more easily.
Revolutionary groups such as the social revolutionaries and social democrats had been prominent for quite some time, but in the years leading up to 1905 their demonstrations had become larger and more frequent. However, it was not just the workers who wanted reform: the intelligentsia had been alienated for quite some time. Middle-class liberals wanted to participate in government and wanted to form an elected national assembly. The lack of progress led to even more discontent and made the need for reform ever more urgent. Even though the different groups who wanted reform were separated, the regime appeared to be under threat.
Russia was ruled by a Tsarist regime, led Nicholas II, a weak, indecisive ruler. The government was repressive, with no intention of becoming a constitutional government. Russian people were denied basic freedoms such as freedom of press and the freedom to form political parties. Any protests that took place were repressed.
The government also followed a policy of Russification. This entailed forcefully making the national minorities in Russia more 'Russian'. These national minorities opposed this policy, wanting nothing more than autonomy and independence for themselves. This led to stirrings of revolt against Russification.
The Tsar was worried about the loyalty of the army and the war with Japan had broken the Russian economy. They were bankrupt, and Russia was the laughing stock of Europe as it was the first time an Asian power had defeated a European power. Russian defeat on land and at sea shocked the public and the war caused shortages of food, fuel, high prices and unemployment. There was a huge upsurge of discontent as the Tsar's government was perceived to be incompetent.
Dissatisfaction with living and working conditions amongst workmen in Russia's cities (e.g. in factories in Moscow and St. Petersburg) was a major part of Russian society as well as one of the main causes of the 1905 revolution. Dissatisfaction with living and working conditions led to revolution because workmen wanted reform and their only way for the Tsar to notice them was for them to protest on the streets. Failure of autocracy to listen to these protests and fail to reform socially, economically and politically led to animosity against the Tsar. Because people lived and worked in cities and factories, ideas of revolution could be spread more easily.
Revolutionary groups such as the social revolutionaries and social democrats had been prominent for quite some time, but in the years leading up to 1905 their demonstrations had become larger and more frequent. However, it was not just the workers who wanted reform: the intelligentsia had been alienated for quite some time. Middle-class liberals wanted to participate in government and wanted to form an elected national assembly. The lack of progress led to even more discontent and made the need for reform ever more urgent. Even though the different groups who wanted reform were separated, the regime appeared to be under threat.
Russia was ruled by a Tsarist regime, led Nicholas II, a weak, indecisive ruler. The government was repressive, with no intention of becoming a constitutional government. Russian people were denied basic freedoms such as freedom of press and the freedom to form political parties. Any protests that took place were repressed.
The government also followed a policy of Russification. This entailed forcefully making the national minorities in Russia more 'Russian'. These national minorities opposed this policy, wanting nothing more than autonomy and independence for themselves. This led to stirrings of revolt against Russification.
The Tsar was worried about the loyalty of the army and the war with Japan had broken the Russian economy. They were bankrupt, and Russia was the laughing stock of Europe as it was the first time an Asian power had defeated a European power. Russian defeat on land and at sea shocked the public and the war caused shortages of food, fuel, high prices and unemployment. There was a huge upsurge of discontent as the Tsar's government was perceived to be incompetent.
Events of the 1905 Revolution
Between January 3 and 8, many workers went on strike in St Petersburg. On January 22, Gapon organized a peaceful demonstration in order to reason with the Tsar for better living and working conditions. However, the army took action and the peaceful demonstration ended in bloodshed and this was called ‘Bloody Sunday.’ The rest of January saw reactions to the massacre and many more demonstrations took place. By February, these strikes spread and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandervich was killed by a social revolutionary. Unrest reached Siberia and the Urals by March and notably large rural disorder took place. In May, a Russian fleet was sunk after having spent eight months sailing to Japan. In August, the first conference of the Peasant’s Union took place in Moscow and the Tsar issued a manifesto. This was rejected by revolutionaries. Soon after, the Treaty of Portsmouth finally ended the Russo-Japanese War. On October 17, the October Manifesto was issued. It offered civil liberties. However, groups on opposing sides of the October Manifesto took to the streets and in December, people in St Petersburg were arrested en masse after weapons were handed out. Rebels and militia attempted to take Moscow, but their uprising was crushed.
Between January 3 and 8, many workers went on strike in St Petersburg. On January 22, Gapon organized a peaceful demonstration in order to reason with the Tsar for better living and working conditions. However, the army took action and the peaceful demonstration ended in bloodshed and this was called ‘Bloody Sunday.’ The rest of January saw reactions to the massacre and many more demonstrations took place. By February, these strikes spread and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandervich was killed by a social revolutionary. Unrest reached Siberia and the Urals by March and notably large rural disorder took place. In May, a Russian fleet was sunk after having spent eight months sailing to Japan. In August, the first conference of the Peasant’s Union took place in Moscow and the Tsar issued a manifesto. This was rejected by revolutionaries. Soon after, the Treaty of Portsmouth finally ended the Russo-Japanese War. On October 17, the October Manifesto was issued. It offered civil liberties. However, groups on opposing sides of the October Manifesto took to the streets and in December, people in St Petersburg were arrested en masse after weapons were handed out. Rebels and militia attempted to take Moscow, but their uprising was crushed.
Consequences of the 1905 Revolution
The revolution obviously failed because the regime survived and stayed in power until 1914. Nicholas II granted concessions through the October Manifesto to divide the regime’s opponents. The promise of a constitution had the immediate effect of splitting the revolutionaries even further than before. The October Manifesto promised:
The Tsar had no intention of honoring these promises and certainly did not want a democratic Russia. Also, liberals were separated from the hardline revolutionists who were looking for overall political reform rather than just constitutional reform. Those wishing for a regime change were a minority. Force was used to crush the revolution as well as peasant disturbances. The bulk of the population remained loyal to the existing order mainly because they had a stake or because they traditionally supported the Tsar. The bulk of the army stayed loyal to the Tsar and this was completely crucial.
The revolution obviously failed because the regime survived and stayed in power until 1914. Nicholas II granted concessions through the October Manifesto to divide the regime’s opponents. The promise of a constitution had the immediate effect of splitting the revolutionaries even further than before. The October Manifesto promised:
- a parliament that would be elected by the people and would represent their views and interests
- basic civil rights such as freedom of speech
- the right to form political parties
- an end to press censorship
The Tsar had no intention of honoring these promises and certainly did not want a democratic Russia. Also, liberals were separated from the hardline revolutionists who were looking for overall political reform rather than just constitutional reform. Those wishing for a regime change were a minority. Force was used to crush the revolution as well as peasant disturbances. The bulk of the population remained loyal to the existing order mainly because they had a stake or because they traditionally supported the Tsar. The bulk of the army stayed loyal to the Tsar and this was completely crucial.
Russia up to 1914
The Duma
Although the Tsar had survived the 1905 revolution, he was determined to undermine the move towards a constitutional government in Russia. Elections were held in March 1906 and the meeting of the first Duma was held in April.
The First Duma lasted from April to July 1906. It was radical in its approach to the problems facing Russia. Disagreements occurred amongst the parties represented and Tsar Nicholas and the Prime Minster, Stolypin, decided to dissolve it.
The Second Duma lasted from February to June 1907. New elections saw a move towards political parties on the ‘left’ side. The Mensheviks won 9% of the seats and the Social Revolutionaries won 7% of the seats. The Duma criticized the running of the army and were unwilling to work with the Prime Minister, Stolypin, on land reforms. Following an ‘alleged’ plot to assassinate the Tsar by the Social Revolutionaries and the Social Democrats the Duma was dissolved.
The Third Duma lasted from November 1907 to June 1912. Stolypin altered the voting system for the third Duma and this resulted in the virtual exclusion of peasants and industrial workers from the vote. There were fewer critics of the Tsar and some reforms were introduced such as national insurance.
The Fourth Duma lasted from November 1912 to August 1914. The Duma did not achieve much as World War I was declared in August 1914. The main change was the the Tsar was finally starting to work with the idea of the Duma.
Although the Tsar had survived the 1905 revolution, he was determined to undermine the move towards a constitutional government in Russia. Elections were held in March 1906 and the meeting of the first Duma was held in April.
The First Duma lasted from April to July 1906. It was radical in its approach to the problems facing Russia. Disagreements occurred amongst the parties represented and Tsar Nicholas and the Prime Minster, Stolypin, decided to dissolve it.
The Second Duma lasted from February to June 1907. New elections saw a move towards political parties on the ‘left’ side. The Mensheviks won 9% of the seats and the Social Revolutionaries won 7% of the seats. The Duma criticized the running of the army and were unwilling to work with the Prime Minister, Stolypin, on land reforms. Following an ‘alleged’ plot to assassinate the Tsar by the Social Revolutionaries and the Social Democrats the Duma was dissolved.
The Third Duma lasted from November 1907 to June 1912. Stolypin altered the voting system for the third Duma and this resulted in the virtual exclusion of peasants and industrial workers from the vote. There were fewer critics of the Tsar and some reforms were introduced such as national insurance.
The Fourth Duma lasted from November 1912 to August 1914. The Duma did not achieve much as World War I was declared in August 1914. The main change was the the Tsar was finally starting to work with the idea of the Duma.
Stolypin's Reforms
Stolypin carried out many reforms as Prime Minster of Russia. In the countryside, he tried to make agriculture more efficient. He did so by introducing reforms to encourage the ‘best elements’ amongst the peasants. Peasants were allowed to buy up strips of land from their less enterprising neighbors to make one single land holding, which they owned wholly. Stolypin set up a peasants bank to provide loans for them to this. He believed that peasants would want to improve their own land and use modern methods to produce more food. He also hoped to create a new class of prosperous landowning peasants; ‘Kulaks’ who would be loyal to the Tsar. About 15% of peasants took up his offer and there were improvements. There was a record harvest in 1913 but unfortunately war broke out in 1914 and interrupted the reforms. The reforms did have a negative consequence: the poorer peasants were forced to sell their land and become laborers.
Stolypin also carried out reforms in the cities. Between 1906 and 1914, there was an industrial boom in Russia. Russia became the world’s fourth largest producer of coal, pig iron and steel. By 1914, two-fifths of factory workers were in factories which were more efficient. This setup made it easier to organize strikes. However, the workers did not benefit much from the industrial boom. Working conditions improved a little bit. Average wages were below the levels of 1903. Prices had risen so much that workers could only just manage to buy the bread they needed. In 1912, a strike in the Lena goldfields occurred because of the poor working conditions. The protestors clashed with troops and 170 workers were killed with many others wounded. The Lena goldfields strikes inspired many other strikes across Russia.
To help keep order and control in Russia, Stolypin set up military courts, which could sentence and hang a person on the spot. Thousands of people were executed by these courts and the hangman’s noose became known as Stolypin’s Necktie. The Okhrana, the secret police, were still very active, with thousands of informants. Everybody had to carry internal passports and travelers had to register with the police outside their home districts. Newspapers were fined form writing articles offending the government and frequently were published with white spaces where material had been censored.
Stolypin carried out many reforms as Prime Minster of Russia. In the countryside, he tried to make agriculture more efficient. He did so by introducing reforms to encourage the ‘best elements’ amongst the peasants. Peasants were allowed to buy up strips of land from their less enterprising neighbors to make one single land holding, which they owned wholly. Stolypin set up a peasants bank to provide loans for them to this. He believed that peasants would want to improve their own land and use modern methods to produce more food. He also hoped to create a new class of prosperous landowning peasants; ‘Kulaks’ who would be loyal to the Tsar. About 15% of peasants took up his offer and there were improvements. There was a record harvest in 1913 but unfortunately war broke out in 1914 and interrupted the reforms. The reforms did have a negative consequence: the poorer peasants were forced to sell their land and become laborers.
Stolypin also carried out reforms in the cities. Between 1906 and 1914, there was an industrial boom in Russia. Russia became the world’s fourth largest producer of coal, pig iron and steel. By 1914, two-fifths of factory workers were in factories which were more efficient. This setup made it easier to organize strikes. However, the workers did not benefit much from the industrial boom. Working conditions improved a little bit. Average wages were below the levels of 1903. Prices had risen so much that workers could only just manage to buy the bread they needed. In 1912, a strike in the Lena goldfields occurred because of the poor working conditions. The protestors clashed with troops and 170 workers were killed with many others wounded. The Lena goldfields strikes inspired many other strikes across Russia.
To help keep order and control in Russia, Stolypin set up military courts, which could sentence and hang a person on the spot. Thousands of people were executed by these courts and the hangman’s noose became known as Stolypin’s Necktie. The Okhrana, the secret police, were still very active, with thousands of informants. Everybody had to carry internal passports and travelers had to register with the police outside their home districts. Newspapers were fined form writing articles offending the government and frequently were published with white spaces where material had been censored.
The Situation in 1914
In 1914, Tsar Nicholas II ruled an authoritarian regime with an autocratic government. He employed a secret police and used the army to get what he wanted by force. The Tsar was vulnerable and dependent on the elite and his police force to suppress revolutions.
The Duma was the parliament at the time. The Tsar’s ministers sat in the Duma but reported directly to the Tsar. This meant that the Duma had next to no power. The Duma was not representative of the general population - the elite elected the people who participated in the Duma. Some parties had support and votes, but they boycotted the Duma - they did not participate as they thought it was a ‘glorified talking shop’.
By 1914, the Tsar had a Duma which did not do anything. Even if it did do something, he would not have listened to it. Prior to World War I, the lack of political participation by the general population and the frustration that rose from this was one of the crucial points that led to revolution.
Up to and including 1914, there was no chance of reform: Tsar Nicholas II was a reactionary and was reluctant to make the jump to constitutional government. Most other modern nation states had constitutional government but this did not appeal to the Tsar.
Despite Stolypin’s reforms (he wanted to make the Kulaks’ production more efficient), Russia was still economically and agriculturally backward. They could not produce enough food to feed their population and insufficient transportation methods led to further shortages.
Stolypin’s reforms created the centralization of Russian agriculture. Many people had been using strip farming prior to the reforms. Kulaks were rich peasants who owned animals and hired labour (almost a middle class of peasants; an oxymoronic ‘wealthy peasant’). The reforms united the Kulak’s land by giving Kulaks the opportunity to buy other people’s land and this created larger farms. This was good because there was less waste and whole fields could be put to work. Usually much more productive and successful - there was more food produced. However, poorer peasants were alienated by these reforms and Stalin was incredibly resentful to the Kulaks. He went after them in the 1930s. Many poorer peasants travelled to cities to find work (mainly starting in 1912). These peasants were already resentful towards the regime and they were in the cities, working in factories alongside already-angry workers.
Some peasants were so poor that they couldn’t afford to move to the city - they stayed and became angry farm laborers. Stolypin can be partly credited for the successes of his reforms, but in the years that they were carried out, the weather was very good for harvest and it could have just been a coincidence. However, the flip-side of the reforms eventually led to revolution, this time with peasant support.
In cities, urbanization continued, partly because of the migration of workers due to Stolypin’s reforms. Between 1906 and 1914, there was a boom in the Russian economy. There had been lots of money and technological expertise coming in (mainly from the French). The French and the Russians signed their Reinsurance Treaty which put the Germans in a position which threatened them with a war on two fronts. For the first time, there were modern factories in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Railroads were also built (e.g. the Trans-Siberian railway). The funding for this was primarily obtained from the French. The better factories and machinery led to a growth in production. The industrialization led to the loss of artisan jobs (like the 1848 revolutions but many decades later). Modern machinery was now being used to make industrially manufactured products rather than making them by hand or very crudely with outdated machinery.
One of the positive effects of industrialization was more entrepreneurship which furthered Russia’s economic prosperity. However, as with all things in history, there’s a Beyonce moment:
The factory workers did not see the benefits of the improvements that industrialization offered. Between 1903 and 1914, wages did not rise at all but inflation rose so this meant that in real terms their wages went down. Working and living conditions were dreadful and workers were losing their jobs to new machinery in factories.
Up to 1914, there had been hundreds and hundreds of strikes because people didn’t want work due to horrible conditions.
In 1914, Russian support for Serbia led to their entry into World War I. The period between 1914 and 1917 saw the downfall of the Tsar. However, the question remains: did World War I cause the Tsar’s downfall or was it something else? There are two different options in terms of arguments for and against the question:
In 1914, Tsar Nicholas II ruled an authoritarian regime with an autocratic government. He employed a secret police and used the army to get what he wanted by force. The Tsar was vulnerable and dependent on the elite and his police force to suppress revolutions.
The Duma was the parliament at the time. The Tsar’s ministers sat in the Duma but reported directly to the Tsar. This meant that the Duma had next to no power. The Duma was not representative of the general population - the elite elected the people who participated in the Duma. Some parties had support and votes, but they boycotted the Duma - they did not participate as they thought it was a ‘glorified talking shop’.
By 1914, the Tsar had a Duma which did not do anything. Even if it did do something, he would not have listened to it. Prior to World War I, the lack of political participation by the general population and the frustration that rose from this was one of the crucial points that led to revolution.
Up to and including 1914, there was no chance of reform: Tsar Nicholas II was a reactionary and was reluctant to make the jump to constitutional government. Most other modern nation states had constitutional government but this did not appeal to the Tsar.
Despite Stolypin’s reforms (he wanted to make the Kulaks’ production more efficient), Russia was still economically and agriculturally backward. They could not produce enough food to feed their population and insufficient transportation methods led to further shortages.
Stolypin’s reforms created the centralization of Russian agriculture. Many people had been using strip farming prior to the reforms. Kulaks were rich peasants who owned animals and hired labour (almost a middle class of peasants; an oxymoronic ‘wealthy peasant’). The reforms united the Kulak’s land by giving Kulaks the opportunity to buy other people’s land and this created larger farms. This was good because there was less waste and whole fields could be put to work. Usually much more productive and successful - there was more food produced. However, poorer peasants were alienated by these reforms and Stalin was incredibly resentful to the Kulaks. He went after them in the 1930s. Many poorer peasants travelled to cities to find work (mainly starting in 1912). These peasants were already resentful towards the regime and they were in the cities, working in factories alongside already-angry workers.
Some peasants were so poor that they couldn’t afford to move to the city - they stayed and became angry farm laborers. Stolypin can be partly credited for the successes of his reforms, but in the years that they were carried out, the weather was very good for harvest and it could have just been a coincidence. However, the flip-side of the reforms eventually led to revolution, this time with peasant support.
In cities, urbanization continued, partly because of the migration of workers due to Stolypin’s reforms. Between 1906 and 1914, there was a boom in the Russian economy. There had been lots of money and technological expertise coming in (mainly from the French). The French and the Russians signed their Reinsurance Treaty which put the Germans in a position which threatened them with a war on two fronts. For the first time, there were modern factories in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Railroads were also built (e.g. the Trans-Siberian railway). The funding for this was primarily obtained from the French. The better factories and machinery led to a growth in production. The industrialization led to the loss of artisan jobs (like the 1848 revolutions but many decades later). Modern machinery was now being used to make industrially manufactured products rather than making them by hand or very crudely with outdated machinery.
One of the positive effects of industrialization was more entrepreneurship which furthered Russia’s economic prosperity. However, as with all things in history, there’s a Beyonce moment:
The factory workers did not see the benefits of the improvements that industrialization offered. Between 1903 and 1914, wages did not rise at all but inflation rose so this meant that in real terms their wages went down. Working and living conditions were dreadful and workers were losing their jobs to new machinery in factories.
Up to 1914, there had been hundreds and hundreds of strikes because people didn’t want work due to horrible conditions.
In 1914, Russian support for Serbia led to their entry into World War I. The period between 1914 and 1917 saw the downfall of the Tsar. However, the question remains: did World War I cause the Tsar’s downfall or was it something else? There are two different options in terms of arguments for and against the question:
- Things were getting better in the period leading up to the war; progress was being made. It was the war the caused a sequence of events that led to the downfall of the Tsar.
- Little progress had been made pre-1914 and the war began and made these problems worse.
Russia and World War I
The Romanov Family
Tsar Nicholas II was the last Tsar of Russia. He was shot dead with his family in 1918. He was married to a German woman called Alexandra and their son was called Alexei. In the Russian patriarchal society, he was the heir to the throne. The problem was that Alexei was not healthy - he suffered from hemophilia. It was unlikely that he would live to the age to become Tsar. Alexandra’s cousin was Kaiser Wilhelm II. This was a complication since Russia was at war with Germany during World War I.
Tsar Nicholas II was the last Tsar of Russia. He was shot dead with his family in 1918. He was married to a German woman called Alexandra and their son was called Alexei. In the Russian patriarchal society, he was the heir to the throne. The problem was that Alexei was not healthy - he suffered from hemophilia. It was unlikely that he would live to the age to become Tsar. Alexandra’s cousin was Kaiser Wilhelm II. This was a complication since Russia was at war with Germany during World War I.
Rasputin
In 1915, shortly after war broke out, Nicholas II left St. Petersburg and he became occupied with the war. This left a power vacuum in Moscow and St. Petersburg and this was filled by the Tsar’s wife, Alexandra (she became the Tsarina). She had to run the war as well as the government. She was heavily manipulated by Rasputin. Crucial to this is the fact that it was not his sexual magnetism (rumors about Rasputin's giant [and I mean giant] penis were rampant at the time) which enabled him to manipulate her, but it was the fact that he was seen as a healer. The Tsar and his wife were Orthodox Christians, who believed that there were holy men who could heal people. Rasputin got close to the Tsarina and claimed that he could heal Alexei.
In 1915, shortly after war broke out, Nicholas II left St. Petersburg and he became occupied with the war. This left a power vacuum in Moscow and St. Petersburg and this was filled by the Tsar’s wife, Alexandra (she became the Tsarina). She had to run the war as well as the government. She was heavily manipulated by Rasputin. Crucial to this is the fact that it was not his sexual magnetism (rumors about Rasputin's giant [and I mean giant] penis were rampant at the time) which enabled him to manipulate her, but it was the fact that he was seen as a healer. The Tsar and his wife were Orthodox Christians, who believed that there were holy men who could heal people. Rasputin got close to the Tsarina and claimed that he could heal Alexei.
World War I
In 1914, Russia entered the war against Germany and Austro-Hungary, and alongside the French, British and Serbians. Russia had a massive army but it was badly equipped. The army was badly equipped because Russia’s industry was backward, which meant weapons and ammunition could not be produced. The army as also led by poor generals, because most were from the noble classes. Tsar Nicholas promoted the nobility’s sons to generals in the army and this got the army and the nobility on the Tsar’s side. Supply and communications were generally slow in Russia because of the lack of industrialization. Food transport was inefficient because Russian agriculture was poor and there was a lack of transport network. Russia had barely any telegraph lines and these did not span across the entire country, like their railroads.
Tsar Nicholas II took charge of the army in 1915. As a consequence, he was personally responsible for Russia’s military defeats. The Russian people no longer blamed the generals because the Tsar was at the war front. It was now when Rasputin started to exert his control upon the Tsarina, who was naive and inexperienced.
Russia had a series of military defeats in World War I. They lost two major battles in 1914 - Tamenburg to Austria and Masurian Lakes to the Germans, which caused a loss of civilian and military morale. The Tsar was held responsible for these defeats. World War I played a significant role in the fall of the Tsar, because people could criticize him:
Rasputin claimed to be a healer. He was disliked by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and Tsarina. The Russian aristocracy were not happy because their influence was being taken away by Rasputin. They eventually killed Rasputin.
In 1914, Russia entered the war against Germany and Austro-Hungary, and alongside the French, British and Serbians. Russia had a massive army but it was badly equipped. The army was badly equipped because Russia’s industry was backward, which meant weapons and ammunition could not be produced. The army as also led by poor generals, because most were from the noble classes. Tsar Nicholas promoted the nobility’s sons to generals in the army and this got the army and the nobility on the Tsar’s side. Supply and communications were generally slow in Russia because of the lack of industrialization. Food transport was inefficient because Russian agriculture was poor and there was a lack of transport network. Russia had barely any telegraph lines and these did not span across the entire country, like their railroads.
Tsar Nicholas II took charge of the army in 1915. As a consequence, he was personally responsible for Russia’s military defeats. The Russian people no longer blamed the generals because the Tsar was at the war front. It was now when Rasputin started to exert his control upon the Tsarina, who was naive and inexperienced.
Russia had a series of military defeats in World War I. They lost two major battles in 1914 - Tamenburg to Austria and Masurian Lakes to the Germans, which caused a loss of civilian and military morale. The Tsar was held responsible for these defeats. World War I played a significant role in the fall of the Tsar, because people could criticize him:
- He was a poor military commander
- He was a poor political leader
- He left the Tsarina in charge of the government
- He refused to accept advice from the Duma
- She was an inexperienced ruler
- She was under the influence of Rasputin
- She was unpopular because she was German
Rasputin claimed to be a healer. He was disliked by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and Tsarina. The Russian aristocracy were not happy because their influence was being taken away by Rasputin. They eventually killed Rasputin.
Economic Problems
Over fifteen million men joined the Russian army during the war. This led to there not being enough workers in factories and in the farms. Production slowed down, causing economic problems. A lack of food being produced in the farms led to inflation and starvation. The railway system in Russia was very poor, so the troops and towns could not be supplied. Food prices rose.
Over fifteen million men joined the Russian army during the war. This led to there not being enough workers in factories and in the farms. Production slowed down, causing economic problems. A lack of food being produced in the farms led to inflation and starvation. The railway system in Russia was very poor, so the troops and towns could not be supplied. Food prices rose.
Social Discontent
Food shortages and price rises caused widespread discontent. The war had seen widespread urbanization taking place. The cities became overcrowded and people lived in terrible conditions.
Food shortages and price rises caused widespread discontent. The war had seen widespread urbanization taking place. The cities became overcrowded and people lived in terrible conditions.
The March Revolution of 1917
Events of the March Revolution
On February 22, 1917, 20,000 steelworkers went on strike. The next day, women took to the streets to demonstrate. By February 25, over half of the population of Petrograd was on strike. Tsar Nicholas II ordered the army to crush the revolution the next day (he was still at the Eastern Front at the time). Forty people were killed.The Tsar closed the Duma shortly afterwards because of their ‘unreasonable’ requests regarding the shootings. On February 27, the soldiers carried out an open rebellion against authorities and established the Petrograd Soviet, which consiste of workers and sailors. A soviet is a worker’s council, and the Petrograd Soviet was a separate government in Petrograd. The Petrograd Soviet decided that Petrograd would no longer be a part of Russia. The Tsar decided to return to Petrograd on the 28th because of the severity of the situation. By March 1, the Tsar realized he had lost support of the army - this was the single biggest difference between 1905 and 1917. The Tsar abdicated on March 2. The throne was offered to Grand Duke Michael, who refused.
On February 22, 1917, 20,000 steelworkers went on strike. The next day, women took to the streets to demonstrate. By February 25, over half of the population of Petrograd was on strike. Tsar Nicholas II ordered the army to crush the revolution the next day (he was still at the Eastern Front at the time). Forty people were killed.The Tsar closed the Duma shortly afterwards because of their ‘unreasonable’ requests regarding the shootings. On February 27, the soldiers carried out an open rebellion against authorities and established the Petrograd Soviet, which consiste of workers and sailors. A soviet is a worker’s council, and the Petrograd Soviet was a separate government in Petrograd. The Petrograd Soviet decided that Petrograd would no longer be a part of Russia. The Tsar decided to return to Petrograd on the 28th because of the severity of the situation. By March 1, the Tsar realized he had lost support of the army - this was the single biggest difference between 1905 and 1917. The Tsar abdicated on March 2. The throne was offered to Grand Duke Michael, who refused.
Consequences of the March Revolution
The Provisional (temporary) Government was formed. It was a twelve-member government led by Kerensky. The new government planned to rule until elections could be held. This government was in place by mid-March. The members of the provisional government had been in the Duma. The provisional government lasted until October 1917 - a lot longer than expected. The Petrograd Soviet was a council of 2,500 deputies who were determined to share power with the provisional government. The political parties, workers and revolutionaries joined the Petrograd Soviet. The Tsar was exiled and went to live in his country palace on the outskirts of the city.
The Provisional (temporary) Government was formed. It was a twelve-member government led by Kerensky. The new government planned to rule until elections could be held. This government was in place by mid-March. The members of the provisional government had been in the Duma. The provisional government lasted until October 1917 - a lot longer than expected. The Petrograd Soviet was a council of 2,500 deputies who were determined to share power with the provisional government. The political parties, workers and revolutionaries joined the Petrograd Soviet. The Tsar was exiled and went to live in his country palace on the outskirts of the city.