The Revolutions of 1917

Question 1

How many men were conscripted to fight in the First World War?

Answer 1

15 million men were conscripted.

Question 2

Describe the type of people were conscripted in the First World War?

Answer 2

The majority were peasants, they were ill equipped and poorly trained.

Question 3

How many rifles were there for every 3 men in 1914?

Answer 3

2 rifles for every 3 men.

Question 4

Describe the effectiveness of the military between 1916 and 1917?

Answer 4

The effectiveness of the military increased between 1916 and 1917, the number of weapons increased with 10,000 rifles manufactured every month. However, this gradually declined as the military strain increased.

Question 5

How many people died by the time Russia surrendered in 1917?

Answer 5

Deaths were estimated at 1.7 million

Question 6

When did Nicholas II support Russian entry into the First World War?

Answer 6

War caused political tension. August 1914, Nicholas II supported Russian entry into the First World War. Duma agreed, excluding social revolutionaries.

Question 7

How did the public reaction to Russia entering the First World War change?

Answer 7

There was a wave of support across the empire and citizens showed their enthusiasm and patriotism. However, this was quickly reversed following early losses, for example, the Battle of Tannenburg 1914 nearly completely destroyed the Russian Second Army

Question 8

When did Nicholas II appoint himself as leader?

Answer 8

In 1915, Nicholas II took control and appointed himself as Commander in Chief. This placed great strain upon his reputation (military and political).

Question 9

Why did Nicholas II face huge criticism?

Answer 9

Nicholas II also faced huge criticism. In the face of increasing losses and economic pressure. As a self appointed leader, he was personally accountable for military failures.

Question 10

What was another dangerous political development?

Answer 10

Dangerous political development was the growth of organisations to help the war effort. These were beyond Nicholas II’s control and became hubs for an alternative government as growing numbers of people began to question his actions.

Question 11

How did the First World War place strain on Russia’s economy?

Answer 11

The First World War also placed strain on Russia’s economy. Russia’s main trading partner was Germany. This ended when they entered the war on opposing sides.

Question 12

How did Nicholas II worsen the economy?

Answer 12

Worsened the Russian economy by banning the sale of alcohol, being Russia’s biggest source of revenue. In 1916, Government began to increase taxation and borrowing. It also began printing extra money to meet demands and led to inflation and a fall in value of the currency.

Question 13

What was the impact of the First World War on the homefront?

Answer 13

Food resources were prioritised for the front line. Towns experienced a rapid growth in population. Many citizens were forced to relocate to work in factories.

Question 14

What did the First World War result in?

Answer 14

• Sharp decline in living standards.
• Increasing food shortages.

Question 15

How did the population of Petrograd change after the First World War?

Answer 15

Those contributing flocked from the countryside into towns. Petrograd population increased from 2.1 million to 2.7 million in under 3 years.

Question 16

What did rapid urbanisation lead to?

Answer 16

Internal pressure within towns and cities, living conditions were poor. This was worsened by the government printing extra money to fund the war effort in 1916. Wages rose, but so did the cost of living.

Question 17

How much of Petrograd’s monthly grain requirement was provided?

Answer 17

Did not receive the amount of grain necessary. In early 1917, Petrograd was only provided with 48% of its monthly grain requirement. Growing unrest quickly led to strikes. Hunger riots broke out. Anger was directed towards the Royal Court.

Question 18

How did rural areas suffer from shortages?

Answer 18

Many had been forced to abandon their lands to work for the front or to work in factories contributing to the war effort.

Question 19

What happened to those who remained in rural areas?

Answer 19

Forced to sell their grain. In 1916, unable to secure stable prices for their produce. By 1917, many were forced to hoard their grain and only 10% was sold to market.

Question 20

What date did Tsarist control of the Empire end?

Answer 20

In March 1917, Russia entered a revolution and Tsarist control of the Empire ended. Romanov dynasty was overthrown.

Question 21

How many people went on strike to commemorate Bloody Sunday and when?

Answer 21

Riots stemmed from hunger protests in Petrograd as citizens desperately searched for bread. On 22 January 1917, around 140,000 people went on strike to commemorate the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905.

Question 22

When did the Government announce further rationing and when was International Women’s Day?

Answer 22

On 4th March, Government announced further rationing due to bread shortages. On 8th March (International Women’s Day), thousands of women went on strike, joined by the Putilov Engineering Works strike, protesting against poor wages.

Question 23

What happened after the Tsar dissolved the 4th Duma?

Answer 23

12 man committee was established, which further undermined the Tsar’s authority. Tsar formally abdicated on 15th March 1917.

Question 24

Who surprisingly played the biggest part in the February revolution?

Answer 24

Revolutionary parties played a very small role, in fact groups such as the Bolsheviks were weak and small in number. Many of their leaders were in exile (including Lenin). Revolution was driven by the people of Russia and not by. revolutionary groups.

Question 25

What happened after the Tsar’s formal abdication?

Answer 25

Duma took temporary control and became the provisional government, headed by Prince George Lvov. As a self appointed group, legitimacy was questioned.

Question 26

What were the two groups competing for power in Russia?

Answer 26

Provisional government recognised by allies as ruling power, but unofficially shared power with Petrograd Soviet (represented workers and soldiers).

Question 27

When was Order Number One issued?

Answer 27

14th March 1917, Soviets issued Order Number One, connecting the two groups.

Question 28

What did the Provisional Government fail to do in its 8 months in power?

Answer 28

Stop Russia’s participation in the war and the fair distribution of land.

Question 29

What did the Provisional Government do in a bid to ground in the war and bolster support?

Answer 29

Provisional government ordered a huge military offensive in July 1917, failing catastrophically. Lacking morale, many soldiers deserted and there was naval mutiny in Kronstadt.

Question 30

What happened in the July Days?

Answer 30

Following the military defeat, unrest began to spread. Provisional Government quickly lost control. Between 16th to 20th July, demonstrations against the government by soldiers and industrial workers took place.

Question 31

When and how did the Provisional Government’s weaknesses become obvious?

Answer 31

In September 1917, Provisional Government’s weaknesses became obvious, headed by popular Alexander Kerensky. Forced to ask Petrograd Soviet for help in dealing with the Kornilov Affair. Undermined Provisional Government, suggesting they were unable to manage the country successfully.

Question 32

What was the Kornilov Affair?

Answer 32

Attempted coup in which Commander in Chief of Russian army General Kornilov attempted to overthrow the government.

Question 33

What date did the Provisional Government end?

Answer 33

October 1917

Question 34

What happened with the Bolsheviks at the start of 1917?

Answer 34

Bolsheviks were small, poorly disciplined party. Divided on best ways to attain power in Russia. Lenin was keen to seize control following the abdication of the Tsar in March 1917. He found it hard to convince the Bolshevik Central Committee.

Question 35

What was Lenin’s plan to attain power?

Answer 35

Gain control of the Petrograd Soviet, expand into other Soviets and use them to gain authority over Russia. In April 1917, Lenin returned to Russia from exile to carry out his plan.

Question 36

What was the April Theses?

Answer 36

Series of ten directives calling for further revolution. The theses used the power slogan ‘peace, bread and land’ to attract support and designed to appeal to both urban workers and the peasantry.

Question 37

When and how did the Bolsheviks try to seize the Winter Palace?

Answer 37

On the 6 November, Bolshevik units took control of key areas in the city such as transport and communications. The Aurora moored and trained its guns on the Winter Palace.

Question 38

When did the Bolsheviks storm the Winter Palace and arrest the Provisional Government?

Answer 38

Between the 7th and 8th November, Bolsheviks stormed the Winter Palace and arrested the Provisional Government. Lenin proclaimed a new government of Russia, by the Soviets.

Question 39

Outline the 3 main reasons for Bolshevik success?

Answer 39

The role of Lenin the Bolshevik leader, the role of Trotsky and the weaknesses of the Provisional Government.

Question 40

What was the role of Lenin the Bolshevik leader?

Answer 40

Spent much time in exile between February and October 1917. Influence on the Bolsheviks cannot be ignored; domineering personality and continued to control the actions of the Party from abroad. November 1917, Lenin’s dominance and commitment to the uprising forced the Bolshevik Party to proceed.

Question 41

Who did not agree with Lenin during meetings deciding when to begin revolution?

Answer 41

Lev Kamenev and Grigori Zinoviev

Question 42

What was the role of Trotsky for Bolshevik success?

Answer 42

Fundamental to the success of the October revolution. Lenin campaigned for thee uprising whilst Trotsky was the one to organise it. He established the Military Revolutionary Committee, used to defend Petrograd. It gave Trotsky control of Petrograd as he commanded the only effective military force. Trotsky used his troops to seize important communication and transport points.

Question 43

How did the weaknesses of the Provisional Government help the Bolshevik success?

Answer 43

Never legitimised. Not solved main issues that faced the people. Provisional Government was never meant to last. It was very easy to undermine its authority in favour of other political parties.