5. The February Revolution Flashcards
What urban unrest occurred?
Strikes and protests began to occur in cities such as Moscow and Petrograd as good became increasingly scarce due to the war. With inflation growing, the value of wages of industrial workers was halved in 1916. Millions of refugees arrived in the crowded cities, straining facilities. By 1916, there were 880,000 workers on strike.
What unrest occurred in the countryside?
Young male peasants were conscripted which led to a drop in the rural workforce. Horses were requisitioned, grain prices were kept low and the standards of living fell.
What was the Tsar’s response to the widespread unrest?
The Tsar was aware of the unrest, yet complacent. After the 1905 Revolution, the Tsar assumed the gov could survive large-scale unrest.
What happened on international women’s day?
In February, the gov announced that bread would be rationed from the 1st of March. This led to panic buying, food shortages and strikes. On the 23rd, thousands of women took to the streets of Petrograd to celebrate International women’s day. Female workers in Petrograd’s major textile factories went on strike to protest bread rationing with male workers at the Putilov Engineering Works joining the strike.
What happened at the General strike in Petrograd?
By the 25th of Feb, 200,000 people were protesting in Petrograd. The workers established Soviets to put forward their demands. Cossack troops, refused to put down the rebellion - some reports reached the Tsar that his own troops were handing out rifles and bread to the people of Petrograd.
How did Nicholas abdicate?
On March 15th, Nicholas abdicated the throne and name his brother Michael heir. Michael refused the throne.
