1917 Revolutions Flashcards
When did political collapse begin?
A demonstration of 150,000 workers on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday hinted at things to come.
14th February - 100,000 workers from 58 factories go on strike. News that bread would be rationed from 1 March brings round the clock queues and police are attacked.
22 February - workers continue striking.
23rd - 90,000 workers on strike and 50 factories close. There is over 240,000 our on the streets.
24th - 200,000 on strike, overturning statues of the Tsar
25th - 250,000 on strike, Police Chief killed and civilians killed by soldiers. Some Cossacks refuse to fire on strikers.
26th - the Duma President tells the Tsar that the situation is serious and asks for help, but Nicholas just tells the Duma to stop meeting.
27th - the Tsar orders military force and 49 demonstrators are killed. 66,000 soldiers mutiny and arm protestors. The Duma sets up a provisional comittee. The army support the Duma. The Petrograd soviet is set up and organised food supplies.
28th - Nicholas starts to make his way back to Petrograd.
What was order no 1?
The Petrograd Soviet set up a charter of soldiers rights. They promised:
• all units elect a deputy to the soviet and agree to the political control of the PS.
• the Military Comission of the Duma to be obeyed
• all weapons controlled by elected soldiers committees.
• full citizens rights when off duty
• No honorific titles
Why did Nicholas abdicate?
All but one of his generals asked for his resignation. He named his brother as his successor on the 2nd March, but Mikhail refused the throne.
What was the Provisional Government?
Under Prince Lvov. It’s members represented the elite. It was supposed to be only temporary, as a new Constituent assembly would be elected. It was accepted as legitimate.
What was the Petrograd Soviet?
Represented the rights of the workers.
What was dual power?
The PS and PG worked together. The PG promised: amnesty for political prisoners, basic civil liberties, abolition of legal disabilities, legal Trade Unions and a Constituent Assembly. They abolished the death penalty at the front. The PG tried to discipline deserters and rioters but the Soviet encouraged defiance of authority. The PG wanted to continue the war which led to a mass demonstration.
What was the Kornilov coup?
He was the commander in chief and ordered 6 regiments of troops to march on Petrograd. Kerensky armed the Soviet and they halted the coup.
Why did support for the Provisional Government fall?
Food supplies were chaotic, real wages fell and prices rose. They confirmed the right for factory owners to dismiss striking workers. They continued the war.
What were the April theses?
Lenin demanded:
Power to the Soviets
End to the war
Reallocation of land.
Lenin also stressed a policy of no cooperation with the PG. the initial reaction to his reappearance was mixed. The Mensheviks feared he would undo all their work. By the end of April Lenin had won over the Bolsheviks with his sheer force of personality. Trotsky began to support the Party in July.
What were the July days?
Grain prices rose. 20,000 armed Kronstadt sailors joined workers and soldiers on the streets. They changed Bolshevik slogans etc. Warrants for the arrests of Bolsheviks are issued, as they were blamed. The Soviet newspaper suggested Lenin was working for the Germans.
How did the Kornilov coup help Lenin?
They formed the Red Guard with their arms. They basked in the reputation of having opposed Kornilov. Support increased by 164% between June and December. Membership reached 200,000 by October. Trotsky become President of the Soviet in September.
How did the Bolsheviks seize power?
10th October - revolution agreed
20th - Military Revolutionary Committee of the PS meet
24/25th - Armed workers and soldiers organised by the MRC seize key buildings and communication centres.
25/27th - the winter palace is stormed and the PG arrested, Kerensky already fled. The revolution is announced at the second Congress of Soviets and Lenin is appointed chairman.
