dissent and revolution, 1917 Flashcards
what impact did ww1 have on the middle class? x3
The cost of living rose by 300%
strikes and fuel shortages meant that factories couldn’t run, and were closed
progressive bloc emerged 1915 + wanted a more representative style of government
what impact did ww1 have on the aristocracy? x4
discontent grew at the top
conscription of 13 million meant loss of peasant labour affected their livelihood, causing discontent
the tsarina, Alexandra was unpopular because she was German and took advice from rasputin, embarassing they royal family and court - aristocratic plot to murder rasputin
what economic consequences were caused by ww1? x8
to pay for the war, the government increased taxes and raised huge loans from the abroad, adding to inflation
cost of living increased by 300% by 1917
money became worthless
markets in the countryside collapsed
millions of conscripted men left labour shortages, and food was left to rot in the fields as it couldn’t be harvested
German and Ottoman blockades of sea ports, and german occupation of Poland robbed Russia of vital industrial and trading capability
unemployment increased
breakdown of railways
what social consequences were caused by ww1? x4
led to an outburst of patriotism initially
morale fell after defeats at Tannenburg and the Mansurian lakes
food shortages in towns and cities
poor sanitation and diet
poor hygiene
eventually caused feb 1917 rev
strikes
what impact did ww1 have on the workers? x8
in Jan 1917, 30,000 went on strike in Moscow, and 145,000 in Petrograd
Strikes were mostly caused by bad working conditions
Police intervention in the strikes led to many dead and wounded
living standards decreased
rising priced destroyed buying power of wages= little incentive or peasants to sell their goods and produce
strikes were encouraged to undermine russias wartime capability
started supporting more radical parties, such as the SRs and Bolsheviks
what impact did ww1 have on the army?
caused deep discontent after they were poorly supplied, and treated awfully by officers.
Failures at Tannesburg, Mansurian Lakes and Galcia undermined war effort
Many supported Bolsheviks by 1917
1.5 million deserters
how did economic backwardness contribute to revolution in 1917?
no industrialisation, meant that Russia had a weak economy compared to the west
inflation
how did social oppression of lower classes contribute to revolution in 1917?
failed emancipation of serfs angered the working class
how did historic military humiliation contribute to revolution in 1917?
Humiliation of ww1 failures such as Tannesberg, and Galcia, and the Russo-Japanese War, as they lost Port Arthur and caused growing anger at the tsar
how did failure to politically reform in both the long and short term contribute to revolution in 1917?
Alexander III didn’t do any social reforms, and the Duma being dissolved caused anger towards the tsar
how did war failures and suffering on the home front contribute to revolution in Feb 1917?
Failures at Tannesburg, Mansurian Lakes and Galcia caused a loss in morale and hope.
how did the economic disaster contribute to revolution in 1917?
the cost of living rose by 300%, which upset and angered the middle and lower class
how did the government of Tsarina Alexander contribute to revolution in 1917?
It was advised by Rasputin, and was very inefficient
how did the Tsar Nicholas’ decision making contribute to revolution in 1917?
inefficient
what happened on the 14th of February 1917, the first day of the revolution?
100,000 workers from over 50 factories went on strike across Petrograd.
Women spent up to 24 hours in queues for food and goods
Workers who had been laid off wondered in the streets
triggered by a shortage of bread, and bread rationing
what happened on the 22nd of February 1917?
Further strikes occured
Talks for Pulitov steel works collapse caused 20,000 workers to go on strike.
what happened on the 23rd of February 1917?
March to commemorate International Womens Day was joined by 240,000 striking metal workers
March visited factories and taunted men for not supporting
female tram drivers pushed trams over to block the streets
what happened on the 24th of February 1917?
200,000 strikers whipped up crowds (of all classes) in Petrograd to make emotive speeches in city centre
They demanded bread, and the end to the war, and tsarism
Bolsheviks spread protest and got more workers on the streets
what happened on the 25th of February 1917?
General strike
major factories, resturants and shops closed down
over half of the Petrograds workforce (250,000) refused to work
what happened on the 26th of February 1917?
soldiers joined in with the demonstration, mostly NCOs as they have a more direct relationship with soldiers, dozens of them were killed by regiments
regiments decided not to fire into crowd
young reservists were desperate not to be sent to the frontline
what happened on the 27th of February 1917?
Nicholas followed tsarina’s advice, and ordered new military chief of Petrograd (General Khabalov) to restore oder immediately. Tsar ordered Duma to dissolve (they kept temporary committee) and returned to the capital
Regiments moved to people’s side- 66,000 soldiers mutinied
number of officers killed
what happened on the 28th of February 1917?
Regiments that supported the cuase threw police snipers off roofs, crowds broke into prisons and barracks, burnt down police stations. Winter Palace seized.
Leaders emerged from the tsars most famous prison, or gained respect eg Alexander Kerensky
out of control
what happened on the 1st March 1917?
Bolsheviks were reluctant to declare themselves new government without royal or popular approval
Soviets issued order no 1, and effectivley took control
Duma dispatched delegation of deputies to form PG led by Alexander Guchkov
what happened on the 2nd March 1917?
Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne to the Grand Duke (brother) who rejected the throne
the Romanov rule ended
what were the aims of the provisional government? x6
immediate amnesty for all political prisoners
immediate freedom of speech
abolition of religious and social privileges
preparations for a constituent assembly where everybody could vote
police replaced by miltia
local councils and zemstva elected
what were the aims and principles of the Petrograd Soviet? x6
All military units were to elect committees from their lower ranks
All military units were to elects representatives to attend the Soviet
The orders of the Soviet should take priority over the PGs orders
All weapons should be controlled by military committees not officers
Soviets must observe military discipline, but attention and saluting when not on duty should be abolished
Addressing officers by Your Honour/Excellencey should be replaced with Mister…
why was support for the PG reducing among the soldiers, workers and peasants?
they were viewed as a self-appointed, illegitimate committee composed of the wealthy. They began to believe that the Petrograd Soviet was the true voice of a new Russia.