February Revolution Flashcards
Reasons that the February Revolution can be argued to be spontaneous
- Was an unplanned event sparked by the supposed lack of bread in Petrograd bakery
- Other groups joined organically, such as soldiers joining protesters as a result of hesitance to shoot innocent people with same beliefs
- Uncertainty regarding how to manage the country post-revolution
- All potential Tsars following Nicholas II abdicated the opportunity
- Duma did not lead the revolution, the power was thrust upon them when the Petrograd Garrison mutinied
Reasons that the February Revolution can be argued to be organised
- Women’s Day March organised by Marxist parties
- Before February 1917, there had been plots to depose the Tsar, for instance a number of plots had been put in place by Monarchists
- Octoberist, Guchkov + involved members of the Duma + leading government officials had the idea to force Nicholas to abdicate, therefore leaving his 13 year old son as Tsar which would force Grand Duke Michael to rule as regent
- Prince Lvov (leading figure in the zemstvo) wanted the military to force Alexandria to retire to the Crimea and for Grand Duke Nicholas to take power, but this was never carried out as Nicholas II’s uncle refused to help (but did not even warn his nephew)
- Already strikes organised for that day at the Putilov Steel Works
Historical opinion supporting the view that the February Revolution was spontaneous
“The February Revolution… was the spontaneous outbreak of a multitude exasperated by the privations of the war and by manifest inequality in the distribution of burdens” - E.H Carr
“The revolutionary parties played no part in the making of the revolution. They did not expect it.” - E.H Carr
“spontaneous act of groups or workers without central direction” - E.H Carr
Historical opinion supporting the fact that the February Revolution was organised
“From the very beginning of the war, the German government consistently perused in Russia a Revolutionierungspolitik” - G.Katkov
“In 1917, you had intellectuals gathered in political parties that had well formulated plans for drastic change” - R.Pipes
What system of ruling followed the February Revolution?
Duel Authority
- Provisional Government was led by Prince Lvov, made up of former members of the Duma, was not an elected body, therefore lacked legitimate authority and had no constitutional claim on the loyalty of the Russian people
Petrograd Soviet
- Represented soldiers, sailors and workers
- Soviets were rapidly set up in all major towns and cities in Russia
- Were not opposed to the Provisional Government
Key Events during February Revolution
18th Feb - strike began at Putilov Steel Works
23rd Feb - International Women’s Day marches, organised by Marxist groups
25th Feb - general strike began
26th Feb - desertion of Petrograd garrison
27th Feb - breakaway members of Duma formed a Provisional Committee, Petrograd Soviet was created
28th Feb - Nicholas II was prevented from returning to Petrograd by railway workers
2nd March - Provisional Committee declared itself a Provisional Government, Tsar signed abdication decree
3rd March - Provisional Government declared a revolution had taken place
4th March - Tsar’s abdication publicly proclaimed
Role of the duma leading up to the Feb Revolution
Re-assembled July 1915
- Very influential over public opinion, afraid to appear “not radical enough” therefore constantly criticised the Tsar and his wife
Progressive Bloc
- 236 of the 422 duma members formed a Progressive Bloc comprised of Kadets, Octobrists and Progressives
- SRs did not formally join but voted regarding duma resolutions that criticised the governments handling of the war
November 1916
- Bloc met in secret and accused Prime Minister, Sturmer of treason, designed to force the Tsar into appointing a Government chosen by the Duma
- Milyukov (Kadet leader) complained that the Tsar and his advisors had “brushed aside the hand that was offered them”
Essentially swayed public opinion against the Tsar, encouraged overthrow
