The February 1917 Revolution Flashcards
Why was agriculture problematic during The First World War?
- Agriculture was already inefficient (90% of peasants still engaged in strip farming by 1914) but The War put it under huge strain.
- The army was largely made up of peasant conscripts, and in their absence, women, children and the elderly had to farm instead.
- Some important farmland was occupied by The Germans, which also hindered agriculture.
*Many peasants hoarded grain as they were un-willing
to buy over-priced consumer goods. This meant that by 1917, only 10% of grain that was harvested was sold to markets.
- Additionally, trains were requisitioned for the war effort, meaning that in Moscow, the number of grain wagons dropped from 2,200 per month in 1914, to 300 per month by December 1916. Grain was often left rotting at the side of the railways.
- The army’s rations were cut to just 2,000 calories per day due to grain shortages.
Give some statistics which illustrate the extent of inflation during The First World War.
By 1917, inflation had reached 200%.
The monthly wage of a skilled worker in Petrograd was
₽40. By 1917 it had doubled to ₽80 because of inflation.
This was not a real-terms increase, as the price of a bag of potatoes rose by x7, from ₽1 to ₽7.
Give a quote from an Okhrana which illustrates the tension within Petrograd during The First World War.
“Petrograd’s mothers are stockpiles of flammable material, needing only a spark to set them alight.”
By how much did the national debt grow by during The First World War?
It quadrupled.
Why was Nicholas II’s decision to become commander-in-chief of the armed forces and appoint the Tsarina significant?
He left for the front line and appointed The Tsarina to take over the day-to-day running of affairs in Petrograd. This was significant, as he could then be directly blamed for any military defeats.
The Tsarina was hopelessly incompetent, and changed ministers with bewildering frequency, for instance, 4 different Prime Ministers came and went.
Her German origins and links to Rasputin made her deeply unpopular. She also did not trust The Zemgor or The Central War Industries Committees, which played an invaluable role in the war effort.
Describe the main events which occurred over the 10 days of The February Revolution.
- 22nd February- Workers at The Putilov armaments factory in Petrograd went on strike
- 23rd February- There are more strikes and demonstrations in Petrograd to mark international women’s day
- 24th/26th February- Striking gained momentum, and authorities put troops on the street to maintain order.
- 27th February- Units of the Petrograd garrison mutinied and refused to fire on the crowds. The Petrograd Soviet announced Order #1.
- 2nd March- Nicholas II abdicated in favour of his brother Grand Duke Micheal.
- 3rd March- Grand Duke Micheal also abdicates, bringing 300 years of Romanov rule to an end.
What was The April Crisis and why was it significant?
The Provisional Government was pro-war, which became know through a leaked letter from Milyukov to the allied governments, which sparked mass demonstrations.
This was a mistake, as the public was vehemently anti-war, desertions actually increased; and it is estimated that 1 million soldiers deserted in the period between the 2 revolutions.
Guchov and Milyukov were forced to resign. They were replaced by Tsereteli, Chernov and Kerensky, who were also active members of The Soviet
Who was head of The Provisional Government?
Prince Lvov. He represented privilege and the autocracy.
Name 3 notable military defeats during The First World War.
The Battles of Tannenburg and The Mansurian Lakes in August 1914 and The Brusilov offensive in 1916.
Identify a statistic which illustrates the extent of Russian military incompetence.
Some artillery units on the front line could only fire 3 shells per day, due to shortages.
When did The Tsar abdicate?
2nd March 1917
Why did Tsarism survive in 1905 but not 1917?
An important difference between 1905 and 1917 was the outlook of of elite institutions: the army, the bureaucracy and the industrialists. In 1905, they were behind The Tsar. Whereas in 1917 they were not; as they were hugely frustrated with the incompetence and mis-management.
In 1917, the Progressive Bloc in the Duma wanted Nicholas to abdicate, his ministers deserted him and the army made no move to save him.
Increased anti-Government feeling in all groups of society- more intense in 1917.
In 1905, The Liberals saw The Tsar as a barrier to reform, whereas in 1917 they also saw him as a barrier to victory.
Peasants were impoverished in 1905, but in 1917 they were bereaved as well.
Wartime inflation ensured that working class living standards were lower in 1917 than they had been in 1905.
IN EFFECT, WW1 MADE A BAD SITUATION EVEN WORSE
