The February/March revolution Flashcards
Pre-revolution unrest in Petrograd
Demonstration of 150 000 workers on anniversary of Bloody Sunday in January.
Key events of revolution
14th February news that bread would be rationed led to violence and strikes.
22nd workers locked out of Putilov Steel Works triggering industrial strikes.
23rd International womens day, 90 000 workers on strike joined the women’s march, around 240 000 on the streets.
24th 200 000 on strike and sang ‘La Marseillaise’ from French revolution.
25th over half the capital’s workforce on strike, and Cossacks resisted attacking strikers when ordered to.
26th Rodzianko warned Tsar which he ignored.
27th Tsar ordered use of force leading to army mutiny of 66 000 soldiers, provisional committee set up in Duma and Soviet set up.
28th Nicholas headed back to Petrograd too late.
Who were already planning a coup in Russia
Small liberal group including Milyukov and Guckhkov, although worried February events may get out of hand.
Origins of Soviets
Appeared during 1905 revolution, literally just ‘councils’ lots set up post February by Petrograd Soviet the main one.
Petrograd Soviet and the army
Pressure from army and Kronstadt for regiments to send representatives to the Soviet, ‘Order No. 1’ March 1st promised this and that the Duma be obeyed only on the Soviet’s orders, control of weapons and dissolution of titles.
Numbers of the Petrograd Soviet
Had 3000 members by 10th March, most work done by executive committee dominated by socialist intellectuals like Kerensky.
Unrest beyond Petrograd
Workers took over factories and lots of regional assemblies set up, national minorities declared their independence, All-Russian Congress of Soviets met in June 1917 with representatives from 350 towns, military bases etc.
Provisional Government
Formed by left-wing members of the Duma and ones who had favoured a constitutional monarchy like he Kadets, originally intended to be temporary but Grand Duke Mikhail gave up throne and transferred them authority, set up in right wing of Tauride palace.
Popularity and power of the Petrograd Soviet
PG seen as a self-appointed committee tainted by the Tsar, the PS was seen as more democratic, mostly radical socialists like the Mensheviks, accepted the PGs promises of civil liberties, amnesty for political prisoners, a constituent assembly and freedom of TUs, further reforms gave freedom of religion, and gave more power to the Zemstva.
Problems of dual authority
Order No. 1 meant army controlled by the Soviet, PG wanted to restore discipline but PS encouraged peasants to assert rights, and wanted to end the war as soon as possible whereas PG felt bound by Western loans to continue. Elections delayed as clear the SRs would win support, but things put off until a constituent assembly such as land redistribution, Soviet did not offer alternative leadership result was complete paralysis.
Milyukov’s fall
Announced in April 1917 that the war would be continued until a ‘just peace’ led to protests forcing Milyukov and Guchkov to resign, replaced by socialists Chernov and Kerensky, who eventually became Chairman in July 1917.
