Russian Revolution Flashcards
What were the immediate causes of the February Revolution in 1917?
Widespread discontent due to WW1 losses, economic hardships, food shortages, and the ineffective rule of Tsar Nicholas II.
Describe the events of the February revolution
In February 1917, strikes and protests in Petrograd over food shortages led to widespread unrest. The military eventually joined the protesters , forcing Nicholas II to abdicate and leading to the establishment of the Provisional Government.
Who were the key figures in the October Revolution?
Vladimir Lenin (leader of the Bolsheviks), and Leon Trotsky (Also in the Bolsheviks) who organized the Red Guards and led the military Revolutionary committee.
What was the role of the Provisional Government between February and October 1917?
The provisional Government, led initially by Prince Lvov and later by Alexander Kerensky, struggled to maintain order and address critical issues like war, land reform, and economic distress.
How did the Bolsheviks seize power in the October Revolution?
On October 25-26, 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky , stormed key governmental buildings in Petrograd, including the winter palace, effectively overthrowing the provisional Government.
What were the consequences of the Russian Revolution?
The establishment of a communist government, civil war between Red army (communist Bolsheviks) and white army (capitalist middle class), withdrawal from WW1 with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk , and significant socio-economic transformations.
