The February Revolution- course and effects Flashcards
Causes (6)
- The influence of Rasputin on the Tsar and Tsarina
- The desertion of the elites.
- Strikes and demonstrations
- The impact of WW1
- Tsar’s poor leadership skills(e.g becoming commander in chief of the army in 1915.
- The nature of government- lack of reform.
How many desertions were there before February 1917
1.5 million
What had caused an increase in Conservative opposition
The decision of Rasputin and Tsar Nicholas II to make Nicholas decision to make himself the Commander in Chief in September 1915.
How many workers went on strike in Petrograd and in Moscow in Jan 1917
Moscow-30,000 workers
Petrograd-145,000 workers
By how much had the Russian population increased from the years 1855-1897
1855-60 million
Doubled by 1897
2 factors leading to high death rates pre-Feb Rev
Starvation and poor living standards
What 2 things swelled/rose in 1917
Population size swelled and uneployment levels rose.
What were set up around Russia to establish law and order, and what does this show
Set up ‘Military Zones’ showing the corruption/unrest in Russia before the revolution, as well as Tsarist attempt at reform.
How many factories had been closed down by 1915 and what did this show
600 factories had been shut down, showing a lack of funding and a step back in industrialisation.
By what percent did the cost of living increase
By 300%, leaving people in poverty, ripe for revolution.
What did the ‘Progressive Bloc’ demand and what did it oppose
Opposed the Duma and demanded a constitutional monarchy
When did the Tsar suspend the duma and what does it represent
Closed the duma in September 1915 showing he was above democracy and was moving away from any form of a democratic government.
What had been taken by the Germans (in terms of land)
Poland and other industrial areas, severley harming Russia’s industrial output, which was vital in a time of war.
what was Russia’s spending total for 1918
Rose to 14.5 million.
What were the demands of the duma in 1916
The Octoborists in the duma had frequently called for the removal of unwanted ministers and generals.
What made Feb Rev 1917 different to other threats/uprisings (2 factors)
- The range of opposition to the Tsarist gov
2. The speed in which events turned from a protest into a revolution.
What was the Okhrana
The Tsarist secret police.
Which class had hostil feelings towards not only the gov but vs all other social groups
The peasants
Who did the peasnats feel hostile towards
Tsarist gov, as well as all other social classes.
What were closed/banned bt Tsarist gov
Trade Unions
What did the duma president war the Tsar on the 14th of Feb 1917 and what did he add
That ‘very serious outbreaks of unrest’ were imminent. Adding that ‘there is not one honest man left in your entourage;all the decent people have either been dismissed or left.’
What period did the Feb Rev occupy (according to the system of dating in imperial Russia)
18th Feb-4th March 1917.
What began on the 18th Feb 1917
A full scale strike was started by the employees at the Putilov Steel works, the largest and most politically active factory in Petrograd.
What happend during the 5 days after the start of the Feb Rev
The Putilov strikers were joined on the streets by growing numbers of workers, who had been angered by ruomours of a further cut in bread supplies.(Not known that it was just a rumour and there was still enough bread to meet the capital’s basic needs.
What day is the 23rd Feb 1917
International Women’s day
How did International Women’s day effect the Feb Rev
Brought thousands of women to the streets to join the protestors in demanding food and an end to the war.
What was the situation in petrograd by 25th Feb 1917
By 25th Feb Petrograd was paralysed (factories and businesses not functioning) by a city-wide strike. The authorities attempts to disperse the workers were hampered by the growing sympathy amongst the police for the demonstrators. Great sense of confusion and little clear direction at the top. In Petrograd pilitical protest were indistinguishable from the general outcry vs food shortages and the miseries brought from war.
Where was the Tsars military headquarters and how far away was it from Petrograd
At Mogilev, 400 miles from Petrograd. Tsarina still in capital and it relied on letters from her.