Feb/March Rev of 1917 Flashcards
What did the Feb Rev indicate?
Beginning of the end of Tsarist autocracy, and the rise of Soviet power
Who was Leon Trotsky?
Marxist revolutionary and theorist
How many workers demonstrated on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday?
150,000 Petrograd workers
January 1917
What was the 1st stage of the Feb Rev?
14th Feb- 100,000 workers from 58 factories on strike in Petrograd. Bread rationed from March 1st brought queues and police were attacked as they struggled to keep order.
What was the 2nd stage of the Feb Rev?
22nd Feb- 20,000 workers locked out of the Putilov Steel Works by management after pay talks collapsed. Workers in other factories went on strike in support.
What was the 3rd stage of the Feb Rev?
23rd Feb (international women’s day)- 90,000 workers on strike and 50 factories closed. Striking workers joined the traditional women’s march. City fell into chaos-240,000 people on the streets
What was the 4th stage of the Feb Rev?
24th Feb- 200,000 workers on strike. Crowds overturned Tsarist statues, wore red rosettes and sang ‘La Marseillasise’ (French national anthem, shows support for the ideals of French Rev-liberty+equality)
What was the 5th stage of the Feb Rev?
25th Feb- over 1/2 capitals workforce on strike, major factories and shops closed. No newspapers or public transport.
Violence escalated as head of the mounted police tried to control the masses. He was dragged from his house and shot.
Band of civillians killed by soldiers, Cossacks refused to attack procession of strikers when ordered to do so.
What was the 6th stage of the Feb Rev?
26th Feb- Duma President sent Tsar telegram warning him of serious situation in Petrograd. Tsar ignored it and ordered to dissolve Duma next day
What was the 7th stage of the Feb Rev?
7th Feb- Tsar ordered Commander of Petrograd Military to restore order by military force. Soldiers on streets and 40 demonstrators were killed.
Mutiny began in Volynskii regiment where a sergeant shot his commanding officer dead.
66,000 soldiers joined protestors, arming them with 40,000 rifles.
Duma held a meeting (despite Tsars orders) and set up 12 man Provisional Committee to take over gov
Revolutionaries set up a Soviet intending to take over gov
What was the 8th stage of the Feb Rev?
Tsar left military headquarters and offered to share power with the Duma. Leader said it was too late
How was this uprising as a result of the class struggle?
There were no Bolshevik leaders present
Revolutionary opposition prefer to accept the idea of a spontaneous rising driven by the oppressed working class
What started emerging in towns and cities?
Soviets
When did the Tsar abdicate?
March 2nd 1917
PG was formed
What were short term reasons for the tsars abdication?
- liberal group were planning a coup
- Tsar losing Octoborist support
- Russia’s poor performance in the war-Tsar was figurehead of a failing army-took over in 1915
- Role of Rasputin-corruption
5.Tsar lost control of Petrograd during Feb rev
6.Tsar was indecisive and resistant to reform
What were long term reasons for the tsars abdication?
- Bloody Sunday
- Bolshevik movement
- Economic hardship and famine
- Autocratic rule and political stagnation-refusal to reform alienated much of the Russian population
5.Inequality between classes fuelled resentment towards Tsarist regime - Russification caused tension
Who was in the PG?
Cross-section of influential elites and comprised those who had formerly favoured constitutional monarchy-liberals, moderate socialists and Kadets
What were the PG’s aims?
Temporary gov
Elections to be held ASAP for a new Constituent Assembly which would draw up a new constitution for Russia
What were PG policies?
- Continue Russia’s involvement in WW1
- Promise of democratic reforms
Who were key figures in the PG?
- Alexander Kerensky-served as Minister of Justice and PM
- Prince Lvov-first head of PG
What were PG attitudes towards PS?
Wary of PS influence as it was radical and had popular support
Attempted to co-exist with Soviet while undermining it’s power
What type of people were involved in the PS?
Composed of radical socialist intellectuals, Mensheviks and Social Revs, small number of Bolsheviks
What were the PS’s aims?
Represent interests of workers and soldiers in Russia
Establish a more democratic and socialist gov
What were PS policies?
- general amnesty for political prisoners
- civil liberties
- abolition of legal disabilities based on class, religion, nationality
- freedom to organise trade unions and strike
- election of a Constituent Assembly to determine Russia’s future
ORDER NO.1
