E1: Dissent and Revolution, 1917

Give one fact about Russia before 1914 for each of the following headings: People/Nationalities Transportation/Communication

Russia was only 50% comprised of people who were Russian. The other 50% was home to a diverse set of ethnic groups, the largest of which being Ukranians.
Russian roads were packed earth, which turned to mud under rain. Rivers were used for longer journeys.

What was the policy of ‘Russification’?

The belief that the Russian way of life was superior to the cultures of all other ethnic groups. Forcing them to adopt Russian customs and habits, such as being forced to exclusively speak Russian.

What is the meaning of autocracy?

The monarch rules with absolute power. No opposition to their power is tolerated.

What was the main religion of Russia in 1914?

Russian Orthodox Christianity

Give three causes of the 1905 Revolution:

1904 Russo Japanese War: Losses shocked the public, caused shortages of food and fuel, inflation and unemployment.
Tsarist Regime: Weak, indecisive Tsar and repressive government.
National Minorities: Wanted more independence, end to Russification.

What four things did Tsar Nicholas promise in his October Manifesto of 1905?

Freedom of speech. Freedom from unwarranted arrest. Creation of a Duma that could block laws, but not suggest or pass them.

How did the First World War contribute to the Tsar’s downfall?

Military failures on the Eastern Front: 1914 Battles of Tannenberg and Mausurian Lakes.
Difficult living conditions in Russia: Massive amounts of inflation as a result of taxes and money is worthless.
Role of the Tsarina and Rasputin: Alexandra meddled in political appointments and policy decisions. Rasputin was a womaniser and drunkard, both severely damaged the Tsar’s reputation via his choice to put them in charge.
Failiure of the Tsar to make political reforms; Refused the request of the Duma to establish constitutional monarchy.

Who were the main political parties in Russia?

Kadets: Constitutional Democrats, wanted a democratically elected assembly, freedom of speech and press, civil rights for all citizens.
Octoberists: Named after the October Manifesto, believed that the manifesto should go no further than it had. Highly conservative and supportive of the Tsar.
Socialist Revolutionaries: Wished for a revolution brought on and controlled by the peasants, in which the Tsar would be overthrown and replaced with a democratic republic.
Bolsheviks: Similar to SRs, but placed their faith in the workers instead. Believed in a more centralised leadership. Critics believed that a centralised party would lead to dictatorship.
Mensheviks: Allowed anybody of any social standing to participate in revolution. Believed in democracy and encouraged trade unions to improve workers’ rights.

Describe conditions in Russia in the winter of 1916.

Temperatures fell to -35 degrees on the front line. Guchkov converses with other progressive bloc members about a possible coup.

Events of the 1917 February Revolution

14th Feb: 100,000 workers from 58 factories go on strike in Petrograd. 23rd Feb Striking workers join with women’s day parades, 240,000 protesting overall. 26nd Feb: Rodizianko sends the Tsar a telegram warning of the dangerous situation in Petrograd, they are ignored. 27th Feb: Tsar orders soldiers to stop protestors, 66,000 soldiers mutiny and arm protestors. 28th Feb: Tsar returns to Petrograd and offers to share power with the Duma, Rodzianko informs him that “the measures you propose are too late, there is no return.”. 2nd March: Tsar’s train is intercepted by revolutionaries. Romanovs placed under house arrest.

Explain the following bodies and their differences: Provisional Government, Petrograd Soviet.

PG: Temporary governmental body that would govern Russia until elections could be held, holds dual power with the PS. PS: Councils elected by workers, soldiers, and sailors, holds dual power with the PG.

How did Dual Authority work?

The PG had legislational authority, while the PS had control of the military and telegram lines.

Who were Lvov, Kerensky, and Milyukov?

Prince Lvov, appointed PG Prime Minister after Grand Duke Mikhail refused the Tsar’s order to become the new Tsar. Kerensky: Minister of Justice after February Revolution, became Prime Minister after Kerensky. Milyukov: Founder of the Kadets, Foreign Minister post Feb Revolution.

What were the main problems facing the Provisional Government in 1917?

The PG’s insistence to keep fighting in WW1 caused a large amount of protest. Milyukov forced to resign after announcing it. Elections were constantly postponed, and key policy changes were slow. The PS did not offer a better alternative.

What did Lenin call for in his April Theses?

Peace, bread and land. An immediate end to the Provisional Government and for the Petrograd Soviet to take power.

Who were the Kronstad Sailors?

20,000 sailors who rioted following the doubling of grain prices and the loss of 100,000 jobs. PG brought in reinforcements supported by PS to crush the protests. Also used to try and crush the Bolshevik Party, Lenin forced into hiding.

What was the Kornilov affair?

After Kerensky’s appointment of Kornilov to Commander-In-Chief, who reintroduced the death penalty for soldiers in order to reduce mutiny and desertion. Kornolov ordered six regiments of troops to march on Petrograd in order to establish a military dictatorship. Kerensky sought aid from Soviets and workers and armed them to stop Kornilov. Kornilov gradually lost support and was stopped without any conflict.

What roles did the following play in the October Revolution? Lenin, Trotsky, Kerensky.

Lenin persuaded the Central Committee to prepare for revolution, the vote was 10-2, Kamanev and Zinoviev voted against. Trotsky sent Bolshevik supporters around factories in order to build up support for the MRC, controlled 200,000 Red Guards. The MRC moved in the night on the 24th October and took over key buildings and communication centres. Red Guards storm the Winter Palace and take over with little resistance. Sovnarkom made to run the government.

What positions did the following have in the Sovnarkom? Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Rykov, Lunarcharsky.

Lenin: Chairman, Trotsky: Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Rykov: Commissar for Internal Affairs, Stalin: Commissar for Nationalities, Lunarcharsky: Commissar for Popular Enlightenment.

What decrees were passed by the Sovnarkom between October and December 1917?

Workers’ decree: established 8 hour working day. Press dress: banned opposition press. Decree of Peace: end of war. Decree on Land: abolished private ownership of land and legitimised peasant seizures. Right of The People of Russia Decree: abolished titles and class ranks. Bank Decree: nationalised banks. Decrees on The Church: nationalised church land.

What happened to the Soviet with the establishment of the Sovnarkom?

Cheka secret police established, Kadets, SRs, and Mensheviks rounded up and imprisoned.