The February Revolution

Question 1

When did the February revolution occur?

Answer 1

Feb 1917

Question 2

How were strikes and demonstrations triggers for revolt in the February Revolution?

Answer 2

Food shortages in Petrograd and Moscow
increased social tensions; strikes in bakeries
added to the food shortage crisis.

Question 3

What happened on 18 February 1917?

Answer 3

Strike at the Putilov Steelworks.

Question 4

What happened on 23 February 1917?

Answer 4

On International Women’s Day, women joined striking workers in anti-government demonstrations; crowds grew ever larger when the government announced bread rationing might have to begin.

Question 5

What happened on 14 February 1917?

Answer 5

Demonstration in support of the Duma.

Question 6

What happened in late February 1917?

Answer 6

Weather became unusually warm, encouraging people to join street protests.

Question 7

What happened on 23-25 February 1917?

Answer 7

250 000 people demonstrated in Petrograd – crowds became too big for police to control.

Question 8

What happened on 26 February 1917?

Answer 8

Soldiers were ordered to fire on demonstrators; 40 people were killed. Some soldiers were unhappy about what their officers were asking them to do. This mutiny was suppressed.

Question 9

What happened on 27 February 1917?

Answer 9

Some regiments refused to obey orders to shoot against demonstrations and protests.

Question 10

What happened on 28 February 1917?

Answer 10

A military report to the tsar declared that Petrograd was out of control.

Question 11

What happened on 22 February 1917 in relation to the Tsar?

Answer 11

Nicholas left Petrograd for army headquarters 780 km away, totally unaware of the rapidly growing crisis.

Question 12

What happened on 25 February 1917 in relation to the Tsar?

Answer 12

Nicholas sent an order to the police and army in Petrograd to end the unrest immediately.

Question 13

Why was the public unhappy with the tsarina?

Answer 13

Tsarina Alexandra was unpopular with the people and with the Duma. She relied on the dubious advice of her friend, the mystical healer Rasputin, on how to govern, rather than the Duma. This infuriated the Duma who felt the tsarina should not be allowed to govern.

Question 14

What were the consequences of the February Revolution?

Answer 14

• Abdication of the tsar
• Establishment of a provisional government
• End of the monarchy and beginning of a democratic Russia
• Increased political freedom
• Economic and social reforms
• Participation in WW1