February 1917 Revelation

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Before 1917, the Tsar almost lost his power in 1905 and made none of the changes he promised the people. In February 1917, mass violent protest erupted and caused the Tsar to have to abdicate. This essay will examine Impact of WWI, Incompetence of Nicholas II, Peasant discontent , Role of Tsarina Alexandra and Worker Discontent. Peasant Discontent was an important reason but the Impact of WWI was the most important reason for the February 1917 revolution.

Question 2

Impact of WWI-

Answer 2

Russia gained ground in one of the biggest victories for any of the allies over Austria-Hungary, in June 1916 during the Brusilov Offensice.

Question 3

Impact of WWI-

Answer 3

This victory was short lived and due to them sustaining heavy losses, the Russians could no longer launch any offensive attacks for the rest of the war.

Question 4

Impact of WWI-

Answer 4

Mutinies spread across the Eastern Front as Russian soldiers left to go home in 1917.

Question 5

Impact of WWI Analysis

Answer 5

This was important as a reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because morale had dropped so low by 1917 that soldiers began mutinies across the Eastern Front which led to the Tsar having to abdicate as he’d lost control of the Army.

Question 6

Impact of WWI Analysis+

Answer 6

However, it could be argued that this wasn’t an important reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because morale rose within the army in the Summer of 1916 as Russian made big advancements during the Brusilov Offensive. This meant that soldiers stayed loyal to the Tsar and stayed to fight for Russia. It boosted the morale of the army.

Question 7

Incompetence of the Tsar-

Answer 7

The first Duma met in May 1906. It only lasted seventy-five days before Tsar Nicholas surrounded it with troops and broke it up.

Question 8

Incompetence of the Tsar-

Answer 8

After huge defeats at the start of the war, the Tsar took personal command of the army in 1915.

Question 9

Incompetence of the Tsar-

Answer 9

The Tsar let Stolypin introduce reforms to help over 2 million peasants own their own land by 1914.

Question 10

Incompetence of the Tsar Analysis

Answer 10

This was important as a reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the peasants didn’t like how the Tsar didn’t listen to them and follow up on his promises. He creates a government but gets rid of it as he’s scared of the change they will make. It shows how incompetent the Tsar really is.

Question 11

Incompetence of the Tsar Analysis+

Answer 11

However, it could be argued that this wasn’t an important reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the Tsar allowed Stolypin to introduce policy to help peasants and this made them support the Tsar as he was making their lives better. He was listening to some of what they had said to the Tsar and improving their lives.

Question 12

The Role of Tsarina Alexandra-

Answer 12

The Tsarina had a large amount of control over the Tsar and encouraged him to keep the Autocracy and strengthen it.

Question 13

The Role of Tsarina Alexandra-

Answer 13

The Russian people thought the Tsarina was a Spy when they declared war on Germany as the Tsarina was German born and Protestant but converted to Russian orthodox when she married the Tsar.

Question 14

The Role of Tsarina Alexandra-

Answer 14

There was a rumoured romantic relationship between the Tsarina and Rasputin when the Tsar was fighting on the eastern front.

Question 15

The Role of Tsarina Alexandra Analysis

Answer 15

This was important as a reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the Romanov’s reputation was damaged by the close relationship with Rasputin and this caused the Russian people to not trust the Tsar as they didn’t trust Rasputin and the control he had over the royal family and the country as a whole.

Question 16

The Role of Tsarina Alexandra Analysis+

Answer 16

However, it could be argued that this wasn’t an important reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the revolution happened a month after Rasputin’s murder so he had no influence over the Royal family when the revolution broke out. Also the Tsarina had a deep division to the Orthodox church so this made peasants trust her.

Question 17

Worker Discontent-

Answer 17

Petrograd only received 50% of its grain requirements. Food prices for those in the cities rose by up to 200%.

Question 18

Worker Discontent-

Answer 18

Unemployment soared as factories could not get the materials to make vital war goods. On the 22nd February, over 100,000 workers went on strike at the Putilov Iron Works in Petrograd.

Question 19

Worker Discontent-

Answer 19

They marched the streets with signs such as ‘Down with the Tsar’ and ‘Bread’.

Question 20

Worker Discontent Analysis

Answer 20

This was important as a reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the workers of Petrograd couldn’t survive on the food being given to them so they rioted and protested against the Tsar.

Question 21

Worker Discontent Analysis+

Answer 21

However, it could be argued that this wasn’t an important reason for causing the 1917 Revolution because the strikes and protests from workers had little direction from revolutionaries and were not led by any single group. This meant that the protests weren’t organised and coordinated meaning they weren’t as effective at spreading the anti-Tsarist message as many were just unhappy with the working conditions.