The revolutions of 1917 : 2.1 Triggers for Revolt (The February Revolution)

Question 1

Summarise the combination of triggers that led to the revolt

Answer 1

1) Long-term discontent (Russification)
2) Growth of Opposition (Bloody Sunday and 1905 revolution - political parties etc)
3) Impacts of WW1 (Military, political and socio-economic effects)
4) Events of the winter 1916-1917 also played a role

Question 2

Effect of Rasputin’s death

Answer 2

Murder of Rasputin did not bring any stability

Question 3

What were the consequences of the harsh winter weather of December 1916 and January 1917?

Answer 3

This affected food supplies to cities and towns : prices rose rapidly and rationing led to further discontent - in Petrograd, there were strikes and people began to demand food.

Question 4

Strikes and Mutinies?

Answer 4

Strikes became an everyday occurrence in Petrograd (early 1917), huge crows on the streets and no work being done. The soldiers garrisoned in Petrograd mutinied, taking sides with the demonstrators.

Question 5

Political conflicts?

Answer 5

Tsar Nicholas II was still very stubborn and refused any advice from the president of the Duma or the Duma itself - which had been recalled in 1915. Events eventually spiralled out of control in February 1917.