Russia In Early 1917

Question 1

The revolutions of 1917

What were the threats to the tsarist regime?

Answer 1

Discontent among peasants (80% of Russian population at the time) had poor living conditions. Wanted Rich landowners to lose their land a redistribute it among peasants. Resented government interference, known for uprisings against landlords and government officials.

Workers-had poor living conditions. Tsars police made it difficult for workers to form trade unions to campaign for better wages and conditions. Soldiers often sent to end strikes.
INFLATION: 1914-1916 average wages went up by 200% but fuel/food went up 400%

Question 2

Military impact

Answer 2

Millions of soldiers and civilians die, loss of Russian territory

Question 3

Economic impact

Answer 3

Massive inflation, high taxes, russia falls into debt

Question 4

Social impact

Answer 4

Farming disrupted (peasants hoarding it) , food shortages, transport system near breaking point

Question 5

Political impact

Answer 5

Tsar and advisers lose support, Duma becomes more powerful

Question 6

The tsar as commander-in-chief

Answer 6

BAD MISTAKE!! Nicholas was now blamed for the defeats in the war. Handed responsibility of Russia to tsarina but she was not trusted due to her German background (thought to be a German spy) and her relationship with Rasputin

Question 7

Trigger for revolt - immediate causes of February revolution

Answer 7

International women’s day - 23rd February 1917. Shortage of food brought people onto the streets in protest

Mutiny in the army - soldiers refusing to obey orders

Question 8

Demonstrations

Answer 8

9th January 1917, 150,000 workers had marched in memory of Bloody Sunday, when the tsars soldiers had opened fire on a peaceful demonstration and had killed many

Question 9

Role of kerensky

Answer 9

July 1917 after the June offensive, kerensky became minister chairman of the PG.
made some crucial mistakes
•continued with the war, angering soldiers.
•loosing support of army officers by reducing their authority
•actions to weaken old ruling groups lost him the support of the conservatives
•FAILED to take tough action against the bolsheviks.

Question 10

Problems facing the PG

Answer 10

• PG did not call a general election
• PG had NOT been elected
• PG did not offer land reform
• Petrograd garrison issues order no1 (army and navy would only obey orders from PG if hey were also approved by the Petrograd soviet - gave PG less power/control over the army)
• Petrograd soviet adopts order no1
• Failure of June offensive
• growing support for the Bolsheviks

Question 11

June offensive

Answer 11

PG ordered new attack on Austrian and German armies- but was a disaster as Russian soldiers refused to advance and army was driven backwards as Germans advanced into Ukraine

Question 12

July days

Answer 12

• Large protest against PG developed w/ soldiers refusing to go to frontline at war
• factory workers in Petrograd and sailors at Kronstadt supported bolsheviks
• they arranged a march on the Tauride palace where PG was based, demanding they give power to the soviets
• bolsheviks blamed for this protest and many bolsheviks fled when PG brought in troops to crush the protest (Lenin returned to Finland)

Question 13

Kornilov revolt

Answer 13

Seemed that bolsheviks were crushed by kerensky
However, when general kornilov launched his revolt, kerensky needed the Bolshevik red guards to help him defeat kornilov.
He gave them weapons and they succeeded in keeping the PG safe
Many people felt the bolsheviks had saved them from a return of tsarism

Question 14

April theses

Answer 14

Rejection of the PG 
All power to the soviets 
Workers to enjoy the wealth of Russia
An end to the war 
Taking over land or rich landowners 

PEACE, BREAD AND LAND

Question 15

Reasons for the treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Answer 15

• bolsheviks to get their rule organised without being overwhelmed by military and economic problems caused with fighting the war
• had to strengthen its position and hold on Russia, increasing its support and preparing to defend themselves from threats WITHIN Russia
• bolsheviks hoped revolution would break out accros Europe

Question 16

Outcomes of the treaty

Answer 16

• Russia lost all its western lands - Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and parts of Poland
• Russia lost 62 million people - 26% of its population
• Russia lost 27% of its farmland, 26% of its railways and 74% of its iron ore and coal
• Russia had to pay Germany 300 million gold roubles

Question 17

Foreign intervention

Answer 17

Whites were helped by foreign intervention. British, french, US and Japanese soldiers landed outside Russia and encouraged the whites to fight the reds and to prevent stores of weapons and ammunition donated to the whites by the allies falling into the hands of the reds
Wanted to stop spread of Bolshevik ideas
Made whites seem stronger than they really were
Bolsheviks used this and could appeal to Russian national pride to support them as whites accepted foreign help

Question 18

White weaknesses

Answer 18

• geographically too spread out - had to travel larger distances to supply their armies than the Reds did
• controlled few areas with industry or natural resources that could supply their armies
• far fewer whites than reds
• many whites linked to certain areas and could not fight beyond it
• competition between white leaders
• whites unpopular as they treated peasants badly and planned to force non-Russians back under Russian control