The February Revolution

What were the causes, key events and results of the first

revolution of 1917?

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Who were key players?• Interesting fact is that in February 1917 none of the key

revolutionary leaders were present in St Petersburg!

• Lenin ,Trotsky etc. in exile

• The Tsar 650 km away at the front• Who then led and precipitated the revolution?

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Long term causes of the February Revolution Pre 1917

Long term causes

World war 1 – Increased discontentamongst public and armybecause of heavy losses and various shortages.

The Tsar – poor decisions and lack of leadership ability.Criticised for taking commandof Armed Forces during WW1.

Problems with the Duma –Issues of 1905 Revolution Not fully resolved – Duma Unhappy about being ignored – Formation of Progressive Bloc.

Growing opposition groups –Traditional opposition (SDs, SRs etc)-Now also opposition from some People who had been pro-Tsar becauseof mistakes made in WW1

Rasputin and theTsarina – the power the Tsar gave them wascriticised – Rasputin’s badreputation hurt the position of the Tsar.

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The impact of WWI

• Military Defeats– Russian army was big but poorly

equipped– Lost two major battles in 1914– Caused loss of civilian and military

morale– Tsar now held responsible for the defeats

as he had taken charge of the army

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Impact of WWI

Criticism of the Tsar

Poor military commander

Poor political leader

Left the Tsarina in charge of the government

Refused to accept advice from the Duma

Criticism if the Tsarina

Inexperienced and incompetent ruler

Under the influence of Rasputin

Unpopular because she was German

A firm believer in autocracy-had little time for the Duma or the common people.

Role of Rasputin

Claimed to be a healer. Disliked by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and Tsarina. Played major role in instability of govt with hiring and firing of ministers.

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Economic problems

• Over 15 million men joined the army-this created a severe skills shortage• not enough workers in factories and farms• caused severe shortages of food and materials-Moscow only received 50% of

daily flour supply. St Petersburg just 20%!• of 73 factories not operating by Dec 1916, a staggering 50 had closed due to a

lack of fuel to power machinery• Cities suffering from acute shortage of fuel-wood yards empty• Railway system very poor

– could not supply the troops– could not supply the towns– food prices rose-People blamed “speculators and capitalists-who do they

mean by this? – Cold winter of 1916-17 one of coldest on record-many parts of railway line

inoperable-trains could not move and get supplies to cities or front.

Impact WWIImpact WWI

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Social discontent• Food shortages and price rises caused widespread discontent.• The war had seen the population move from the countryside to the

cities• The cities soon became overcrowded and people lived in terrible

conditions• Absolute war weariness had set in particularly amongst soldiers

serving or being sent to the front-• ”Soldiers were increasingly refusing to take up attacking positions,

fraternizing with the enemy, and rejecting the authority of their officers, whom as peasants eager to return to their farms, they now saw more clearly than ever as their old class enemies, the landowners, in uniform Figes,Peoples Tragedy,p303

Impact WWIImpact WWI

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Political discontent• From mid 1915 “pro German, dark forces” held responsible for failings

of regime.• Widely believed that Tsars closest advisers secretly negotiating with

Germany.• The Progressive bloc formed base of a growing campaign to discredit

autocracy.• This was comprised of liberal elements of Duma,zemstva reps and

industrialists.• Main aim of group was to move towards a constitutional monarchy, with

power in hands of educated, property owning class• Despite enjoying widespread support in duma, the progressives failed

to rehabilitate or change autocracy due to mistrust of the masses-afraid of losing control of their agenda and it being hijacked by popular intervention.

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The Revolution – ‘a collapse from within’?

• Rodzyanko (Duma president) predicted that there would be ‘very serious’ unrest if the Tsar failed to act to recognise the concerns of his people – the Tsar did not act – so his people did!!

• Outbreaks of industrial unrest had been occurring since the beginning of 1917 on a regular basis.

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Warnings and advice not heeded (1)

• The Okhrana• The Okhrana intelligence division sent the

Tsar a very clear warning as to the state of feeling amongst the general populace in January 1917. The warnings included evidence that:

• “exceptional feelings of anger and frustration across wide sections of the population….”

• “Frequent complaints against the administration and the ruinous path being taken…”

• “Complaints raised: venality (corruptible) nature of officials at the expense of the people…”

• “The burdens of the war and unbearable conditions of everyday life

• What particular burdens might the people be having to endure?

(From : Laver, Russia 1914-1941,1991,p7-8)

• Chairman of Duma• Rodzianko visited Tsar at his HQ on 20

January 1917 and said• "The spirit of the people is such that the

gravest upheavals may be expected…"• " A change in government and appointment

of a RESPONSIBLE premier invested with the confidence of the nation…"

• "Sire ,there is not a single honest or reliable man lefty in your entourage. All the best have either been eliminated or have resigned…"

• What might cause such feelings of outrage amongst the liberals and elite?

• "Indignation and hatred for the empress. Looked on as Germanys champion, a spy…"

( From : Massie- Nicholas and Alexandra,1967 p374

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Warnings and advice not heeded (2)

• British Ambassador• Warned the Tsar in February 1917• Gave a stark warning to the Tsar that

disaster lay ahead of him if action not taken to grant some form of constitutional reform

• “The people and army but one”• "You have now to choose between two

paths...one will lead you to victory and a glorious peace......the other to revolution and disaster...I implore you to choose the former…."

• (From Buchanan- My Mission in Russia,1923)

• Complete the focus questions Malone p93)

• Michael Rodzianko

• Sir George Buchanan

• • General Globachev

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Trouble is brewing…..• January

• January 9: 140,000 strike in Petrograd to commemorate Bloody Sunday; strikes in other cities. • January 24: The Workers Group calls for a strike on February 14 (date of Duma's next recall) to demand overthrow of Tsar and creation of provisional government.• January 31: Strikes across Russia. Consider this statement-

• “Petrograd is starving. The city stockpile for flour will last only 10 more days. Meat supplies are completely depleted. Massive queues for food form, despite excruciatingly cold temperatures. Crowds of women sporadically break into stores. “ Who might write this and for what purpose?

February• February 14: 100,000+ strike in Petrograd; Duma reconvenes and attacks the government over food shortages. The Bolshevik Petrograd Committee calls on workers to overthrow the Tsar. • February 19: Petrograd authorities announce that bread will be rationed from March 1st; panic buying ensues.•Feb 23,Weather improves and temp is a “balmy -5 degrees and will remain pleasant for until 3rd March. People venture out onto streets in search of food….

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Masses:

20,000 workers strike at the Putilov engineering works. Workers demand pay rises and reemployment of sacked workers.

No response from Tsar, Duma or soldiers

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Masses:Bolsheviks of Vyborg district call strike to coincide with International Women’s Day. Female marchers urge male workers to join the strike.100,000 men go on streets in sympathy. Main protest is over lack of bread.

Government:Cossacks reluctant to interfere

Inexperienced and without whips..

Duma:Passes motion to organise food supply. Petitions Tsar for a responsible cabinet to be set up. Request denied.

Revolutionaries:

Bolshevik Vyborg Committee decides to expand movement.14

Masses: Strikes spread to other districts. As many as 200,000 people now on streets. Bread riots Minor violence. Banners-down with war, autocracy

Government:Cossacks still reluctant to suppress strikers as long as bread only demand.

Duma:Growing concern but no action.

Revolutionaries:Socialist agitators urge on protests.Gap between Bolshevik activists and others grows.

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Masses:

General Strike involving 240,000 workers. Petrograd paralysed. Demands for end to war. Newspapers closed

Government:

First Cossacks defect. 9 demonstrators killed by police.

Duma:

Continue to debate about food distribution..

Revolutionaries:

Call for Soviets to be established.Sakhanov-”give the workers a pound of bread and the movement will peter out”

Nicholas II:Informed of disturbances. Orders suppression of disturbances. Alexandra-”This is a hooligan movement. Young people run about and shout there is no bread, simply to create excitement. But all this will pass if only the Duma will behave itself..”

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Police vs soldiers• The police were hated and seen as “theirs”• Also known as “pharaohs”• Rumour that police chief had promised 500 roubles for each wound

inflicted on a protestor!• Army and its soldiers on other hand courted• Soldiers seen as “ours", of the people• “It was hoped that if they were ordered to fuse force against the

crowds they would likely come over to the peoples side….Once this was clear that this would be so-from the soldiers hesitation to disperse the demonstrators, from the expressions on the soldiers faces and the odd wink by a soldier to the crowd-the initiative had passed to the peoples side. This was a crucial psychological moment in the revolution” Figes, A peoples Tragedy,p310

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Masses:

Troops firing on crowds regularly. This enrages crowd and will have consequences.

Government:

First whole company deserts. Government suspends Duma and begins to rule by decree.

Duma:

Informed Nicholas that Petrograd was in anarchy. Tsar asked to appoint a new ministry.

Revolutionaries:

Trotsky defines this day as decisive-why?

Nicholas II:Dismissed Rodzianko warnings as ‘nonsense’, and ordered army to suppress disturbances, despite commanders’ concerns over troop loyalty. Orders dismissal of duma. 18

Masses:170,000 troops revolt with mutiny of Volynsky Regiment. Rebels arrest Duma ministers. Workers control entire city except Winter Palace.

Protestors release 15,000 from jails

Government:

Government resigned. Ministers arrested by rebels.

Duma:

Provisional Committee of the Duma is formed.

Revolutionaries:

Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers’ Deputies is formed at the Tauride Palace.

Nicholas II:

Russian Army Command (Stavka) receive contradictory orders from Nicholas and forces in Petrograd.

Soviet

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Masses:

All military units join the insurrection. Freed Prisoners cause chaos. A Workers Militia is formed in Vyborg, and its deputies elected to the Soviet.Government:

Troop loyalty collapses.

Duma:

Provisional Committee decides to take power and orders the formation of a city militia.

Revolutionaries:Petrograd Soviet issues its first paper, Izvestia, issues Order No 1-soldiers to only recognize authority of soviet.

Nicholas II:

Stavka decide on counter-revolutionary action.

Nicholas decides to return to Tsarkoe Selo, Petrograd.

Soviet

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Masses:

Workers’ militia formed in all districts. Army declared itself to be under control of Soviet under Order Number One. Moscow follows Petrograd.

Government:

No government.

Duma:

Provisional Committee discuss Nicholas’ abdication. Tsar’s train stopped outside Petrograd.

Revolutionaries:

Discussed whether to form coalition with Provisional Committee.

Nicholas II:

Stakva alarmed at spread of revolution to Moscow and Kronstadt. Nicholas stopped from reaching Petrograd by army, and advised to resign.

Soviet

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Masses:

Hostility to suggestion that monarchy may continue. Beginning of campaign to seize property.

Duma:

Guchkov worked to secure Tsar’s abdication. Milyukov announced formation of Provisional Government.

Revolutionaries:

Negotiations between Provisional Committee and Petrograd Soviet leads to formation of Provisional Government.

Nicholas II:

Nicholas agrees to abdicate.

Soviet

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Masses:

Streets begin to return to normal.

Duma:

Prince Lvov proclaimed as new head of a Provisional Government.

Revolutionaries:

Izvestia printed both Provisional Government and Soviet proclamations. Terms for the conditional support of the Soviet drawn up.

Nicholas II:

Nicholas’ abdication accepted by Army.

Soviet

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18th to the 25th of February

• 18 Feb – Putilov 20,000 workers go on strike in disagreement over pay

• 23 Feb – International Women’s Day – female demonstrators join those already protesting. Demands included an end to bread rationing, better wages and an end to the first world war.

• 25 Feb – A General strikeparalyses Petrograd – a wide range of opposition now showing their discontent. The police do little – in fact many have sympathy with the protestors.

• The Tsar remains 400 miles from Petrograd – relies on his advisors and the Tsarina for information. Tells his General in Petrograd to end the problems quickly.

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Real Revolution 26th February – 3rd March

• 26 Feb – Khabalov (Petrograd army commander) fails to put down the demonstrators. Majority of Petrograd army garrison deserts and some join the protestors.

• 27 Feb – Tsar dissolves the Duma.

12 Duma members refuse to be dismissed and form the Provisional Committee – open defiance to the Tsar – Kerensky calls for the Tsar to quit.

• The Petrograd Soviet is set up.

• The Provisional Committee and the Soviet form a Dual Authority and become a ‘de facto’ government.

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The Tsar is advised by Rodzyanko to abdicate but instead he decided to return to Petrograd – as he hopes it will calm the situation. His train is intercepted by anti-Tsar protestors and he finally decides to abdicate.2 March – Tsar Nicholas II officially abdicates in favour of his brother but his brother turns down the throne – The Romanov dynasty is over!!!

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3 March – The Provisional Committee supported by the Petrograd Soviet announced to the world that a revolution had occurred and that the Tsar had abdicated. Russia was now to be ruled by the Dual Authority – Centuries of Tsarist rule were over!!!!!

Kerensky (centre in white)

A meeting at the Soviet 27

Russian Russian CalendCalenderer

Western Western CalendaCalendarr

Key Crisis or event in PetrogradKey Crisis or event in Petrograd

18 Feb18 Feb 3 March3 March 20,000 workers strike at Putilov steel works20,000 workers strike at Putilov steel works23 Feb23 Feb 8 March8 March 90,000 protestors at International Women’s day 90,000 protestors at International Women’s day

marchmarch24 Feb24 Feb 9 Mar9 Mar 200,000 workers on strike. Soldiers patrol city200,000 workers on strike. Soldiers patrol city25 Feb25 Feb 10 Mar10 Mar Strikes closes entire cityStrikes closes entire city26 Feb26 Feb 11 Mar11 Mar Soldiers join protesters, firing on police. Tsar does Soldiers join protesters, firing on police. Tsar does

not believe Rodzianko’s warnings of revolution, not believe Rodzianko’s warnings of revolution, 27 Feb27 Feb 12 Mar12 Mar The entire army revolts and the Duma forms the The entire army revolts and the Duma forms the

Provisional CommitteeProvisional Committee28 Feb28 Feb 13 Mar13 Mar Fighting between soldiers and loyal police. Prov Fighting between soldiers and loyal police. Prov

Committee declare themselves the Prov Committee declare themselves the Prov Government. Petrograd Soviet formed by workers Government. Petrograd Soviet formed by workers & soldiers& soldiers

1 1 MarchMarch

14 Mar14 Mar Petrograd Soviet assert control; Tsar allows Prov Petrograd Soviet assert control; Tsar allows Prov Govt and starts return journey to PetrogradGovt and starts return journey to Petrograd

2 2 MarchMarch

15 Mar15 Mar Tsar abdicates; Prov Govt takes control of RussiaTsar abdicates; Prov Govt takes control of Russia

3 3 MarchMarch

16 Mar16 Mar Fighting ends. Grand Duke Mikhail abdicates Fighting ends. Grand Duke Mikhail abdicates ending 300 years of Romanov Dynastyending 300 years of Romanov Dynasty

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Was the February Revolution an ‘overthrow from without or a

collapse from within’?

Prepared by Mr. Harris 29

Activities• 1) *Malone-(pp97) Activity- complete your own table of the key events

providing an overview like mine above Also may use HTAV P79-80 for information.

• *Show video clip- Russian rev in color part 1.

• 2) Malone (p97) Discussion- synthesis- Which day do you consider to be most important? Provide evidence. Is there a single event that is most significant? Provide evidence. What was the most important factor in the causes of the Feb rev? Leaders? ideas? or popular movements?

• 3)Malone (P97) Empathy- imagine you are a key player in the Feb rev. This may be done in form of a debate or a radio interview.

• Prepare an account from your perspective

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Activities• 4) Historians perspectives-Malone (p98) Key debate question: Was the Feb rev

spontaneous or organized? Look at two different opinions and answer questions. Discuss as a group.

• 5) Document analysis- The Tsars abdication Malone (p99) Read around the abdication from various different sources and answer the questions. Cite your sources in your answers. Htav p82

• 6) Historians perspectives-key debate question 2: Was the Tsar pushed off his throne or did he choose to give up willingly?" Malone (p101) Answer questions and read around this key question, citing your evidence as gathered from your research and historiography.

• 7) The proclamation of the Provisional govt Htav p81- a good primary source document to look at to get some insight into the makeup and initial aims of the provisional government.

• Extension activity: Historiography• Students can view the documents on the wiki and after initial discussion

complete the historiographical exercise.

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