Unit 2: Nature of Feb Revolution

Question 1

International Women’s Day

Answer 1

On 1917 Int Women’s day, the women were joined by approx 128,000 workers on the first day alone. what initially started as a march against bread rations evolved into anti-government feelings. Violence escalated such as the freeing of prisoners and the looting of shops. This supports the nature of the revolution was unexpected.

Question 2

Lenin did not return for Feb

Answer 2

When the protesting demonstrations escalated, Lenin did not return to Russia to take a greater role from exile. This shows how even he did not expect for the protests to escalate into being revolutionary and the February Revolution was unexpected in nature. If it was more anticipated Lenin and other leaders would have returned to take a greater role.

Question 3

Prince Yusupov

Answer 3

some degree of revolution being expected. In Dec 1916 there was a palace infiltration by Prince Yusupov to kill Rasputin. Shows some evidence of the nobility trying to take control of the siutation and avert disaster. Suggests revolution was more expected.

Question 4

Guchkov asked Russian Generals for support

Answer 4

In the Winter of 1916-17 Guchkov had asked the Russian generals for support of a coup d’état to overthrow the Tsar. The generals did not oppose. This suggests the February Revolution was more planned out as plans were already being made to remove the Tsar.

Question 5

Historians

Answer 5

• Figes
• WH Chamberlin
• James D White
• Sheila Fitzpatrick
• Corin and Fiehn

Question 6

Bolshevik plans

Answer 6

The Bolsheviks initially had plans from May Day and had told the women to go home in February for their plans then. Unexpected as initially the Bolsheviks did not want revolution at this time.

Question 7

Kavurov and the Vyborg Committee

Answer 7

Evidence of Kavurov and the Vyborg Committee trying to lead. They led a raid on arsenal and attacked a police station. Degree of planning, and opportunism that they took advantage of the situation allowed more success to the revolution.

Question 8

Little evidence of main leaders

Answer 8

There was little evidence of main leaders, but their existance could be repressed in history to better highlight the leaders of Stalin and Lenin. Stalin especially would not have wanted other people to have status to better showcase himself. There may have been leaders but little evidence of them have been kept.