World War I to Provisional Government Flashcards
1 Feature economic effect of WWI on Russia
Transport system outdated in Russia
- reliant on railway system as few proper roads
- broke down under the strain of transporting weapons, troops, food and resources
- inefficiencies meant goods left by the side of the tracks
Conscription into the army meant labour shortages in factories and farms, so there was a shortage of goods and food
- Russia’s debt increased so the government borrowed money and increased taxes to pay for the war. Government printed more money which caused the rouble to fall in value, so high inflation which resulted in worsening domestic poverty.
- By 1915, Germany occupy parts of Russia that included ports to import/export goods (eastern ports froze over in winter)
1 feature of the social effect of WW1 on Russia
Public discontented with military defeats and blamed the Tsar for:
- poor state of army
- insufficient supplies
- Tsar in charge of the army, so responsible for the Germany occupying parts of Russia and the defeats of the Russian army.
Food shortages due to requisitioned to feed the army, the broken transport system, and conscription meant no farm workers
1916 - inflation 200% as prices increase faster than wages, government printing money
High unemployment in cities as demand for goods drop as factories not get raw materials as the transport system collapsed with goods at the wrong place as Russia unable to import or export goods.
1 feature of the political effect of WW1 on Russia
Fourth Duma initially support Russia entering World War 1 but increasingly opposed the Tsar, and involvement in the war.
Tsarina Alexandra appointed regent when the Tsar took personal control of the war. Tsarina viewed as incompetent.
- sacked capable ministers
- government not support her
- public not support her as she was German, and her perceived affair with Rasputin, and his influence over the royal family
Tsarina believe in autocracy and not work with the fourth Duma, so the Duma critical of her.
1 feature of the influence of Rasputin
Tsarina Alexandra had complete faith in Rasputin and his healing powers.
- believed he had mythical healing powers
- possessed utter faith in his ability to help, her son Alexei with haemophilia
- would not listen to any criticism of him and his influence over the royal family
2nd feature of the influence of Rasputin
Rasputin viewed as a fraudster by the public. Perceptions was that he:
- was too powerful at court
- influenced decisions made by the Tsar and Tsarina to do with Russia, and how to fight the war
- interfered with political decisions and advised on appointments
- Rasputin accepted bribes and sexual favours from those at court
Rasputin hated so much that her was murdered by a group of aristocrats in December 1916. Hatred reflected in Rasputin being poisoned, shot and drowned.
1 feature of the cause of the February Revolution 1917
The Tsar and his government failed to resolve the key issues at the heart of the 1905 revolution. These were land, food, working conditions and sharing political power which affected all classes in Russian society,
- Peasants still in poverty and no land reforms
- middle class unhappy with the Duma’s who had no real political power or representation
- the various nationalities wanted independence and end to Russification
- Upper class erode support with lack of constitutional reform and continued participation in World War I
2nd feature of the cause of the February Revolution 1917
Russia’s continual involvement in World War I eroded support for the Romanov’s rule of Russia
- The Tsar was personally responsible for military defeats
- Tsarina incompetent as regent and not interested in working with the Duma’s
- Germany occupied important industrial parts of Russia, including port access and access to the allies
- continued poverty and famine with food and fuel shortages in 1916 winter, as supplies going to the war
- hastened the collapse of a monarchy that refused to change from absolute rule.
1 feature of events in Petrograd
Massive strikes in Moscow and Petrograd
- 19 February Petrograd announces bread rationing in March
- 23 February on International Women’s Day a march against food and fuel shortages turns in an anti-government protest against war and Tsar
- 25 February 200,000 on strike in Petrograd
Tsar orders Fourth Duma to close and they refused
2nd feature of events in Petrograd
27 February - the Petrograd Soviet (workers council) created by Trotsky
- mix of radical socialists, and a small number of Bolsheviks as well as Kerensky
- formed due to massive unrest, government collapsing, and soldiers declaring support for the protesters and revolution
- 28 February - the Petrograd Soviet issued Order Number 1: armed forces should only obey the orders of the Soviet.
Order Number 1 put the Petrograd Soviet in an influential position when the Bolsheviks seise control
1 feature of army mutiny
Tsar had lost control of the army, in his capital city, with himself in personal command of the army.
- 27 February, Tsar orders army to shoot 200,000 protesters
- Petrograd army garrison refuse to obey the Tsar orders
- 150,000 soldiers unite with 250,000 protesters and take over the weapons store
Tsar not rely on army to prop up the government, fear that if troops from outside Petrograd sent in, they would mutiny
1 feature of abdication of the Tsar
Abdication of Tsar ended 300 years of Romanov rule over Russia.
- abdicated 2 March on behalf of himself and his son
- lost support of Petrograd army, General Ivanov ordered to retake the capital and restore order but troops start to mutiny
- concerns it would provoke a revolution, as well as still fighting World War 1
- Senior Army officers and some members of the Duma travelled to meet the Tsar and urge him to abdicate to save Russia
2nd feature of abdication of Tsar
Tsar had lost support from all sectors:
- Lost support of the army, in his capital city, with himself in personal charge
- lost support of the aristocrats and Duma as seen when they travelled to meet him outside Petrograd, to urge him to abdicate.
- lost support of public as blamed for World War 1 defeats, loss of territory, shortages
Unlike 1905, there was an alternative government in existence, the Provisional Government created by the Fourth Duma and supported by the Petrograd Soviet.
1 feature of setting up the Provisional Government
Power vacuum caused by revolution avoided as 12 Duma representatives set up the Provisional Government
- mixture of Kadets and Octobrists
- led by Prince Lvov as leader
- run Russia until democratic elections within 6 months
2nd feature of setting up the Provisional Government
Provisional Government shared power with the Petrograd Soviet
- previous St Petersburg Soviet with soldiers to become Petrograd Soviet of soldiers and workers
issue 8 principles for government including:
- freedom of press, speech and political prisoners
- would write a constitution
Petrograd Soviet influenced the Provisional Government to make sure that military units from the revolution would not be disbanded or sent to fight in World War I
