The 1917 Revolutions Flashcards
What areas could you discuss when looking at how stable Russia was in the period from 1906 to the outbreak of WW1?
Economic, political and social
Why was Russia in a lot of danger economically from the period of 1906 to the outbreak of WW1?
- Took out a loan from France, reliant
on another country. - As a result of stolypin’s reforms,
Russia = very reliant and
independent in farming showing
instability given a bad season =…. - Agricultural production increased,
lots more peasant households
becoming independent farms. 64%
increase in produce. - However this got worse in 1914
given peasants started to move to
more urbanised areas. - Stolypin’s reforms improved
industry 17.8% factories < 100
workers, 41% 1000 workers + - Overall economic growth 8.5% in
period, sluggish compared to west. - Trans -S Railway incomplete.
How stable was Russia politically in the period of 1906 to the outbreak of WW1?
- Creation of Duma initially caused
some difficulties. - First Duma 1906: limited by
fundamental laws of which gave tsar
large control, restricted the Duma’s
legislative ability, met in mood of
bitterness. - Second Duma, Radical + anti gov,
hostile towards Stolypin and his
reforms and criticized army
organisation. - But opposition group lacked
support, making tsar gov actually
more stable, and many of leaders
were still exiled. - Ultimately Fund laws reduced
challenge that the tsar faced shown
in 3rd and 4th duma.
How stable was Russia Socially in the period of 1906 to the outbreak of WW1?
- Long way behind European powers
in terms of infrastructure. - 1914 just over 1000 towns but only
200 had pipes and 38 had sewage
systems. - Outbreak of Cholera in St
Petersburg caused over 100,000
deaths. - Rising inflation, static wage levels,
poor working conditions fueled
urban discontent. - Lena goldfields incident 1912
helping rising discontent, lots of
miners die. - Large number of strikes.
What were the reasons for Russia’s involvement in WW1?
Russia’s chief concerns:
- Growth of a united Germany.
- Formation of Austro-Hungarian
empire.
- The decline of the Ottoman empire
threatened Russian interests in the
Balkans where Russia saw herself as
the defender of Slav nationalism.
What were the consequences of Russia’s concerns of Germany and WW1?
- Russia draws away from Germany
- Alliances with B+F
- competes with Austria Hungary for
influence in the Balkans. - The Serbia question and the balkan
wars heighten tension (wether
Serbia will become part of Austro-
Hungary.
What were the factors interesting Russia about the Balkans?
- Russia’s role as champion of Slav
culture. - Commercial interest in the area.
What was the immediate effect of Russia being at war?
Enhanced the popularity and the status of the tsar and weakened the anti-war Bolsheviks.
What 4 factors can be looked at when discussing how WW1 contributed to the downfall of the Tsar?
Military failures, living conditions, Tsarina and Rasputin, failure to make political reforms.
How did the military failures of WW1 contribute to the downfall of the Tsar?
- 26th August - 13th Sept, Russia
defeated by Germany at
Tannenberg and Mansurian lakes, >
1 mill casualties. - Issues at high command, Nicholas
reluctant to take advice form his
own gov regarding foreign affairs
and military. - Lack of unity amongst soldiers and
lower ranking officers, socially
polarised by class. - Threat to Tsarism, Nicholas directly
responsible for defeats, defeats
reflected on concept of Tsarism.
How did the living conditions due to WW1 contribute to the downfall of the Tsar?
- Lots of food shortages, food
became more scarce, higher prices
and wages not kept in line with
inflation. - Poor transport.
- 1916 strikes rise sharply .
- Expansion in population.
Describe Rasputin and the Tsarina during WW1?
- Aug 1915, Tsar leaves for Eastern
front, leaves running of country to
wife Alexandra. - She became rapidly controlled by
Rasputin as she struggled. - Alexandra was adamant that no one
would threaten her husbands
authority in Russia. - Rasputins power in St P was
unchallengeable, as long as he had
support of Tsarina he had power. - Rasputin strong believer in
autocracy. - When Duma dissolved in 1915,
Rasputin took full control of gov.
How did the failure to make political reforms during WW1 contribute to the downfall of the Tsar?
- Failure of Duma’s, held strong
opposition to tsar (1st + 2nd), were
quickly dissolved. Struggled with
unification and decision making (3rd
+ 4th) due to contrasting views. - Increasing political and social
tensions - Russian failures in war,
relied on numbers and a larger
military force. - Lenin + Bolsheviks, anti war position
“peace, land and bread”. - Bolsheviks made population anti-
war promises.
What started the February revolution?
- 22nd Feb 1917, Metal workers in
Petrograd went on strike. - Next day (international woman’s
day) joined by female protesters
marching against food rationing. - More protestors and strikes…… 200,000 filled Petrograd’s
streets, demanding end of war and
replacement of Tsar. - Eventually nearly all industry in
Petrograd was shut down
Following the widespread protests what happened that led to the Tsar’s abdication?
- Tsar ordered commander of
Petrograd Garrison, Khakalov, to
suppress the rioting by force, troops
refused, they mutinied and joined
the protesters. - Having lost support of army and
under advice of army chiefs and
ministers, tsar abdicates for himself
and his son on 2nd March 1917. - His brother refused to succeed
throne, making it the end of the
tsarist regime.
Who ruled Russia after February 1917?
- Power struggle between Petrograd
Soviet and Provisional government
(both want power). - Guchkov “The provisional
government had no real power” - Figes “Temporary committee of the
Duma” “Soviet had will of people but
no authority” “Provisional had
authority but not will of people on
streets”
Who were the members of the Provisional government?
- Mainly leading figures of various
liberal parties. - Dominated by the Kadets and their
leader Milyakov. - One social minister, Alexander
Kerensky. - New prime minister prince G E Lvov
had headed Zemstva
Who were the members of the Soviet?
- Workers
- Soldiers
- Key member - vice chairman of
Petrograd Soviet Alexander
Kerensky. - 10th March it had 3,000 members
only 800 were workers. The rest
represented various army units. - Many were unwieldy so an
executive committee was chosen
that was dominated by Socialist
intellectuals
How was the provisional government formed?
- Chosen by a committee of the
Duma. - intended to run the country until a
constituent assembly had been
elected.
How was the Soviet formed?
- Monday 27th February.
- Was the idea of Menshevik
intellectuals. - Became the focus of working class
aspirations - factories were asked to
elect delegates to attend a full
meeting of the Soviet. - When it met an executive
committee was chosen. - This was dominated by Mensheviks
and non-party socialist intellectuals.
What power did the Provisional government have?
- In theory the right to rule Russia
during this transition period. - In practise it had little power in
Petrograd.
What power did the Soviet have, that the prov gov didn’t?
- Had control through its workers and
soldiers of: railways, soldiers in
Petrograd Garrison, telegraph
station, factories, power supplies, all
weapons. - Soldiers would only obey the orders
of the Provisional gov if Soviets
agreed.
Describe the changes in the Provisional government coalition.
- March 1917, dominated by liberals
(kadets). The only socialist was
kerensky. - May 1917, 5 socialists joined but the
liberals still dominated. - July 1917, Kerensky becomes prime
minister and balance shifted in
favour of socialists, although was
still strong liberal presence.
What was the summer offensive?
(16th -18th June)
- Launched in June on Southwestern
front (Austria). Failed badly. - Those scared of Bolsheviks had
encouraged orders to be disobeyed
and for the Russians to go in against
the Austrians. - Russians no match for Austrians,
Russians repulsed with heavy losses,
especially when German support
arrived. - Destroyed already bad morale,
Bolshevik power increases (anti-
war), idea of war had become even
more hated. - Prov Gov fell apart, 3 week
interregnum while socialist and
liberals tried to piece together new
gov.
What were the July days?
(3rd - 6th July)
- Spontaneous armed
demonstrations by soldiers, sailors
and industrial workers against prov
gov, could overthrow gov…. more
and more join…. getting ideas into
heads.. - Prov Gov acted to repress the
Bolsheviks and drive lenin into
hiding. - Fairly good response, Many
Bolshevik leaders arrested (not
Lenin).
What was the kornilov affair?
- Coup d’état by general of Russian
army Kornilov, attempted against
prov gov 27th - 30th Aug 1917. - Also headed by Petrograd Soviet of
soldiers and workers deputies. - It was defeated, Kornilov removed
from position and incarcerated
along with 30 others. - Prov gov lost all credibility and
crumbled.
In the build up to October 1917 what was the political shift in Petrograd?
- Mid September, Bolsheviks had
gained majority in both the
Petrograd and Moscow Soviets -
reflected changing nature of Soviets
(enthusiasm had waned after
Feb1917, but Bolsheviks were
dedicated attenders, therefore could
exert influence out of proportions
with numbers). - Lenin felt there was a choice to be
made, “either a Soviet government
or Kornilovism. There is no middle
course”
What was Lenin’s strategy during the build-up to October 1917?
- “History will not forgive us if we do
not assume power” 12th sept 1917 - Lenin = sense of urgency.
- worried bolsheviks could be limited
by either the meeting of the all-
Russian congress of Soviets or the
nov. election of the constituent
assembly (Bolsheviks unlikely to do
well, and also constituent assembly
would be difficult to challenge as
reformers = high hopes).
During the build up to October 1917 what was pre-parliament?
- Kerensky wanted to make his gov
less exposed - created a ‘pre-
parliament’ designed to fill interim
before constituent assembly - was
to be drawn from range of parties
and therefore represent a greater
range of political opinion. Bolsheviks
who attended it first divided it and
then walked out.
Describe the return of Lenin to Petrograd on the 7th October?
- Urged party to prepare for
overthrow of prov gov and returned
to Petrograd in effort to enforce will
as some Bolsheviks not sure. - Eventually central committee
agreed to armed insurrection but
didn’t agree date.
What did Kerensky do when he heard rumours of Coup?
- Newspaper closed and gov
attempted to round up Bolsheviks. - Lenin ordered planned insurrection
to begin?
Describe the role of Trotsky in the build up to the October revolution?
- The Bolshevik plan was down to
Trotsky rather than Lenin, Lenin
influenced, Trotsky organised as he
was chairman of Petrograd Soviet. - The Soviet set up the Military
Revolutionary Committee (MRC) to
defend Petrograd against
Germans/Kornilov. - Trotsky helped run the MRC and
therefore had an effective military
force at his disposal (also
theoretically legitimate as acting on
behalf of Soviet).
Describe how the Provisional government fell and the city fell under Bolshevik control from the 25th - 27th October?
- Little fighting and only 6 deaths (all
red guards) - Provisional government had hardly
any military forces to rely on - only
had a few loyal officer cadets from
the Petrograd Garrison, some
cossacks and a unit of female
soldiers called the ‘Amazons’. - When Bolshevik forces marched to
the winter palace, there was nobody
defending the gates - the red guards
simply strolled through the back
door and the small forces of the
prov gov surrendered. - Remaining members of the prov gov
escaped largely unnoticed from the
winter palace - Kerensky escaped to
America.
How did the Bolsheviks confirm the power after storming the winter palace?
- When the all Russian congress of
Soviets began their first session,
Kamenev (a Bolshevik) informed the
delegates they were now the
supreme authority in Russia -
Petrograd Soviet had seized power
in their name and formed a new
government. - 14 names were read out - the new
commissars were all Bolsheviks/left
wing SRs with Lenin as chief
minister. - Mensheviks and right wing SRs
walked out claiming a Bolshevik
coup.
What were the weaknesses of the provisional governement?
- Never intended to be permanent.
- Lacked popular support.
- Internal divisions.
- Failure to destroy Lenin when had
chance. - Failure to solve land problem.
- Strain of continuing war.
- Low morale.
- Deserted by Petrograd Garrison.
What were the strengths of the Bolsheviks?
- Driving sense of purpose.
- Absence of challenge from other
parties. - Radicalization of politics in
Petrograd. - Lenin’s leadership.
- Trotsky’s organisation.
- Control of the MRC
