February 1917 Revolution and the Provisional Government

Question 1

Key Events:

Answer 1

• February 14th: More than 100,000 workers are still on strike; the Duma attacks the government failing to respond to food shortages.
• February 19th: The February Revolution begins
• February 22nd: Due to maltreatment from bosses 20,000 workers at Pulitov Engineering Works go on strike
• February 23rd: Marchers gathered for International Women’s Day are joined by striking workers and socialist agitators.
• February 25th: Strikes continue to expand, with more than 240,000 workers now involved, leading to occasional violent clashes between protesters and police.
• February 26th: The tsar orders troops to fire on unruly protesters, dozens are killed. He also orders the Duma to be permanently dissolved, however, this is ignored. Petrograd Mutiny as over 100,00 soldiers desert the army.
• February 27th: Mensheviks and striking workers reform the Petrograd Soviet.
• February 28th: The tsar attempts to return to Petrograd but is delayed by railway problems in Pskov. The Duma and the Petrograd Soviet both meet to plan a course of action.

Question 1

What happened after the Provisional Government took control?

Answer 1

• March 1st: Petrograd Soviet issue ‘Order Number 1’ - asked for meritocracy in military, honorific titles abolished, orders of Duma Military Commission can only be carried out if Petrigrad Soviet agree
• March 2nd: Provisional Government is formed, Prince George Lvov is Prime Minister
• March 3rd: Army accepts N2’s abdication, Mikhail refuses throne - Romanov dynasty is over. Lvov issues first proclamations