1.2 The February Revolution Flashcards
What was the Progressive Bloc? (Aug 1915)
This was an alliance between political parties occupying 53% of the Duma.
Aimed to create a “government of confidence”.
Believed in Political and Religious freedom, freedom for Poles and Jews and supported Trade Union strike action.
Outline the events of the 1917 February Revolution.
14th Feb: 100,000 strike over new bread rations for March
22nd Feb: 20,000 Putilov Steelworkers strike, demanding for higher wages
23rd Feb: International Women’s Day. Woman joined in on the strike, amassing 240,000 strikers.
27th Feb: Tsar orders the use of violence to subdue protesters
28th Feb: Army mutinies against the government. The Tsar dissolves the Duma but they reform as the Provisional Committee.
15th March: Tsar Nicholas II abdicates the throne.
What caused the February Revolution?
Food Shortages:
- 100,000 workers went on strike after new bread rations were proposed for March
-Famines were widespread, many starved to death
War Failures:
- Russia had few war victories. Defeats such as Tannenberg caused low morale
- People were expected the war to be quick, but it became evident the war would not end anytime soon
- Russia had never been in the state for war
Tsar’s Ignorance:
- Peasants believed the Tsar was too oblivious
- The Tsar had titled himself as Chief in Command of the Army making himself responsible for military failures
Who were the Kadets?
A Russian political party who advocated for radical change, favouring a constitutional monarchy like that of Britain.
Who were the Bolsheviks?
Part of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party who sought to overthrow the government and replace it was a Marxist Communist regime.
Who were the Mensheviks?
Part of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party who believed in gradual shift to Socialism and viewed democracy more positively than the Bolsheviks.
Who were the Social Revolutionaries?
They were the main Socialist faction in Russia and extremely popular with the peasantry. They wanted to redistribute the Tsar’s land to the working class. Known for being violent.
Who were the Octobrists?
A political party less radical than the Kadets, which also believed in a constitutional monarchy but one in which the Tsar would take advice from the Duma.
Who were the Tsarists?
Those who supported the Tsar’s regime. Consisted mainly of senior military figures.
Which two groups made up the Dual Authority?
The Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviets.
Who made up the Provisional Government?
Ex-members of the Duma, Kadets and Liberal Parties (Octobrists)
Who made up the Petrograd Soviets?
Initially dominated by Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries.
Also made up of workers elected from factories.
The Bolsheviks would become more influential.
What were the aims of the Provisional Government?
- Promised to govern until a Constituent Assembly elected a new Constitution
- Decided to continue WWI despite public unrest
- Soldiers were only allowed to accepted orders from the PG.
What were the weaknesses of the Provisional Government?
- Only consisted of one socialist (Alexander Kerensky)
- Unpopular due to their decision to continue with war
- As all off the members were middle class, they did not understand the needs of the people
What were the aims of the Petrograd Soviets?
- Aimed to protect the rights of workers
- Created to deal the with massive unrest caused by the Tsar’s failing government
