WWI, February Revolution, Collapse of Autocracy

How did workers influence politics before 1914?

Workers supported strikes, protests and socialist parties, increasing pressure on the Tsarist regime

How did peasants influence politics before 1914?

Peasants demanded more land and supported parties promising land redistribution

How did minorities influence politics before 1914?

Nationalist groups challenged Russian control and demanded autonomy or independence

Was Russia becoming modern before 1914?

Economically and socially yes, but politically it remained autocratic

Was autocracy adapting before 1914?

Only partially, as reforms were limited and the Tsar retained most power

What role did reform play before 1914?

Reforms attempted to modernise Russia and reduce unrest

What role did repression play before 1914?

Repression was used to control opposition and maintain autocratic rule

How secure was Nicholas II in 1914?

His position appeared stable but underlying tensions threatened the regime

What were the greatest threats to autocracy by 1914?

Worker unrest, peasant dissatisfaction, nationalism and political opposition

What role did industrialisation play in the collapse of autocracy?

It created an urban working class that became increasingly politically active

What role did World War One play in the collapse of autocracy?

It intensified existing economic, military and political problems

When did Russia enter World War One?

August 1914

Why did Russia enter World War One?

To support Serbia and maintain influence in the Balkans

How did Russians initially react to World War One?

Many showed patriotic support for the war effort

What military problems did Russia face in World War One?

Poor leadership, inadequate equipment and weak transport networks

What was the Battle of Tannenberg?

A major Russian defeat against Germany in August 1914

Why was Tannenberg significant?

It exposed weaknesses in the Russian military

What was the Battle of the Masurian Lakes?

A German victory that forced Russian forces to retreat from East Prussia

How successful was the Russian army in 1914–15?

It suffered heavy losses and major defeats

What equipment shortages affected the Russian army?

Shortages of rifles, ammunition, boots and medical supplies

How many casualties did Russia suffer during World War One?

Millions were killed, wounded or captured

Why did military defeats damage Nicholas II?

The public increasingly blamed him for failures

Why did Nicholas II become Commander-in-Chief in 1915?

He hoped to improve military leadership and morale

Why was becoming Commander-in-Chief a mistake?

Nicholas became personally associated with military failures

What happened when Nicholas left Petrograd in 1915?

Alexandra and her advisers gained greater influence over government

Why was Alexandra unpopular during the war?

She was German-born and seen as politically incompetent

Who was Rasputin?

A Siberian mystic who gained influence over the royal family

Why did Alexandra trust Rasputin?

She believed he could help her son Alexei's haemophilia

Why was Rasputin controversial?

Many believed he had excessive influence over government decisions

How did Rasputin damage the monarchy?

His influence undermined confidence in the royal family

When was Rasputin murdered?

December 1916

Why was Rasputin murdered?

Nobles believed he was damaging the monarchy's reputation

What economic problems did World War One create?

Inflation, food shortages and transport disruption

Why did inflation increase during the war?

Government spending and shortages drove prices upward

How did inflation affect workers?

Wages failed to keep pace with rising prices

Why did food shortages occur during the war?

Transport problems prevented supplies reaching cities

How did transport problems affect Russia?

Railways struggled to supply both the army and civilians

What effect did the war have on peasants?

Many were conscripted, reducing agricultural productivity

What effect did the war have on workers?

Long hours, shortages and poor living conditions increased unrest

How did public confidence in the government change during the war?

Support steadily declined

What was the Progressive Bloc?

A group of Duma members demanding more effective government

Why was the Progressive Bloc formed?

To address the failures of wartime administration

How did Nicholas II respond to the Progressive Bloc?

He rejected its demands

Why did political opposition increase during the war?

Government failures became more obvious

How important was the Duma during World War One?

It criticised government failures but lacked real power

What was the mood in Petrograd by early 1917?

Anger, frustration and growing revolutionary sentiment

What caused strikes in Petrograd in 1917?

Food shortages, inflation and dissatisfaction with the war

When did the February Revolution begin?

February 1917 according to the Russian calendar (March 1917 in the Western calendar)

How did the February Revolution start?

Strikes and demonstrations broke out in Petrograd

What role did women play in the February Revolution?

Women workers initiated demonstrations on International Women's Day

Why were women protesting in February 1917?

Food shortages and poor living conditions

How did workers contribute to the February Revolution?

They joined mass strikes and demonstrations

What role did soldiers play in the February Revolution?

Many mutinied and refused to suppress protesters

Why was the army's response significant?

Without military support the regime could not survive

What happened during the Petrograd garrison mutiny?

Soldiers joined protesters instead of obeying orders

Why did Nicholas II lose control in February 1917?

Government institutions and the army stopped supporting him

When did Nicholas II abdicate?

2 March 1917 according to the Russian calendar

Why did Nicholas II abdicate?

He lacked support from military leaders and politicians

What was the significance of Nicholas II's abdication?

It ended over 300 years of Romanov rule

What happened to the Romanov dynasty in 1917?

It collapsed with Nicholas II's abdication

What was the Provisional Government?

A temporary government established after the February Revolution

Who led the Provisional Government initially?

Prince Georgy Lvov

What was the Petrograd Soviet?

A council representing workers and soldiers

Why was the Petrograd Soviet important?

It held significant influence over workers and troops

What was Dual Authority?

The sharing of power between the Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet

Why was Dual Authority a problem?

It created confusion and weakened decision-making

What was Order Number One?

A Petrograd Soviet order increasing soldiers' control over military affairs

How did Order Number One weaken authority?

It reduced officers' power over soldiers

Why did the Provisional Government struggle?

It lacked legitimacy and faced competing centres of power

What role did the war play in the fall of Tsarism?

The war intensified all of Russia's existing problems

How important were economic problems in causing the February Revolution?

They created widespread hardship and dissatisfaction

How important were military failures in causing the February Revolution?

Defeats undermined confidence in the regime

How important was Nicholas II's leadership in the collapse of autocracy?

His poor decisions accelerated the regime's downfall

How important was opposition in the collapse of autocracy?

Opposition groups helped mobilise resistance to the regime

How important were workers in the February Revolution?

Their strikes triggered mass unrest in Petrograd

How important were soldiers in the February Revolution?

Their refusal to support the Tsar ensured the revolution's success

How important were peasants in the collapse of autocracy?

Peasant grievances weakened support for the regime

How important was World War One in the collapse of autocracy?

It was the key short-term cause of the regime's downfall

What were the long-term causes of the collapse of autocracy?

Political repression, social inequality and economic problems

What were the short-term causes of the collapse of autocracy?

War, food shortages, strikes and military mutiny

Why did autocracy survive 1905 but collapse in 1917?

The army supported the regime in 1905 but not in 1917

How did Nicholas II compare with Alexander III?

Nicholas was less decisive and less effective at maintaining authority

What weaknesses of Tsarism were exposed by World War One?

Administrative inefficiency, poor leadership and economic weakness

Why did support for the monarchy decline?

Military failures and economic hardship damaged confidence

How significant was Rasputin in the collapse of autocracy?

He damaged the monarchy's reputation but was not the main cause

How significant was Alexandra in the collapse of autocracy?

Her unpopularity contributed to distrust of the regime

Why is 1917 considered a turning point in Russian history?

It marked the end of Tsarist rule and the beginning of a new political era

What was the main reason for the collapse of autocracy?

The pressures of World War One combined with long-term political, social and economic weaknesses