History - Revolutions of 1917

Threats to the Tsarist Regime

Included political unrest, economic hardship, the incompetence of Tsar Nicholas II, which sparked widespread discontent among various social classes in Russia.

What happened in the February Revolution of 1917

Feb 22 - workers at putilov works went on strike after failure of pay talks

Feb 23 - series of demonstrations in connection with international Women’s day

Feb 25 - 250,000 strikers and demonstrators, the Tsar ordered the army to restore order and fire on demonstrators

Feb 27 - soldiers mutiny and join protestors; Tsar loses support and control

who was the tsar’s successor

Grand Duke Michael, his brother, who refused the position due to the lack of support of the people.

causes for the 1917 february revolution

The causes included worsening economic conditions, food shortages, dissatisfaction with the Tsar's leadership, widespread social unrest among workers and soldiers and the Tsar’s absence from the Petrograd.

consequences of the February Revolution

The consequences included the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government.

Provisional Government reforms

abolished the okhrana, removed tsarist governors, allowed freedom of speech, abolished the death penalty, released political prisoners and gave amnesty to the opponents of the Tsar.

Who did the Provisional Government share power with

the Soviet, a council representing workers and soldiers. A dual power structure emerged, leading to tensions between the two entities. A key example of this power was Order No. 1.

What consequences did the dual power have on the army

It led to divisions within the army, decreased discipline, and increased influence of revolutionary committees, undermining the military's effectiveness. There were very few troops who could be relied on to follow orders

main reasons for dissatisfaction with the provisional government

its failure to tackle three main issues: continuation of WWI, demands for land and economic and social problems facing the population

Reason for continuation of WWI

Investment benefits of allyship from Britain and France

Fear of the demands Germany might make if Russia asked for peace

People thought victory of war would unite the people

Why not fulfilling the demands for land

the government wanted to leave this issue until after the elections

Economic and social problems facing the population

Continued shortages of food in cities throughout 1917

food riots were common as the price of food rose much faster than wages

What was the june offensive

The June offensive was a Russian attack organised by Alexander Kerensky to push back the Austro-Hungarians and Germans to win the war. It was a disaster. It was launched as an attempt by Russia to achieve a crushing military victory and end the war.

Who was Alexander Kerensky

He served as minister for war and later as prime minister for the prov gov

Results of the June offensive

huge losses of 400,000 men, also led to mutinies and chaos

both the prov gov and Kerensky, as the minister for war, were blamed for the failures in the war, which led to resignations

what is the kornilov revolt

kornilov and kerensky both agreed that petrograd needed more soldiers

however kornilov decided that russia needed military rule and sent troops to petrograd in order to shut down the petrograd soviet on the 24 august. Kerensky saw this as a threat to the prov gov

kerensky allowed the bolsheviks to arm their supporters to defend petrograd from kornilov’s troops. these armed supporters were named the red guard

railway workers blocked kornilov’s route into petrograd, and the bolsheviks met the troops and convinced them not to attack.

why did the kornilov revolt happen

In July 1917 Kerensky made kornilov the head of the army in order ot improve discipline

they both agreed that more soldiers were needed in petrograd, however kornilov decided that russia needed military rule. kerensky saw this as a threat to the prov gov

kornilove sent troops to petrograd in order to shut down the petrograd soviet

kerensky allowed bolsheviks to arm their supporters in order to defend petrograd from kornilov’s troops

railway workers blocked kornilov’s route to petrograd and bolsheviks met the troops and convinced them not to attack

what were the july days

a period of unrest in petrograd, russia, in july. Spontaneous armed demonstrations by soldiers, sailors and industrial workers engaged against the prov gov

consequences of the kornilov revolt

It weakened the position of the Provisional government. Theyt lost support from the right-wing because they had given weapons to the Bolsheviks. They lost support from the left wing because Kerensky had tried to compromise with Kornilov at first.

Bolsheviks had more support as they defended petrograd from kornilov

kerensky’s plan to act as the saviour of petrograd backfired - the people saw the red guard as having defended petrograd, not kerensky

bolsheviks were able to gain control of the petrograd soviet by september 1917 because their position was strengthened - they won most seats in teh petrograd soviet

morale and discipline in the army decreased even more

what was the Bolshevik October Revolution of 1917

It was a Bolshevik-led revolution to remove the prov gov from power. It was organised by the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky played a major role in the organisation of it.

24-25th October, guards took control of banks, government buildings and railway stations

25th October the Red Guards entered the Winter Palace and arrested the members of the prov gov that were present

26th October Lenin announced a new communist government called the council of the People’s Commissars

Causes for the July days

Bread rationing was brought in by the prov gov due to shortages in March 1917

The June Offensive totally failed and poeple were war weary

The Bolsheviks, under Lenin, had very successful anti-prov gov propoganda