revolution of march 1917 - wordpress.com€¦ · 06-05-2019 · revolution in russia. causes 1)...
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Background
While Marxism was still popular among the
workers and peasants, there was little threat of
a revolution in 1914.
The most radical leaders were outside of the
country, the Okhrana (secret police) had
infiltrated most of the groups, and the
conservative Duma appeased enough of the
population to ensure stability.
However, WW1 would tip the balance towards
revolution in Russia.
Causes
1) World War I
Initially the war led to great support for the Czar. Russians were committed to winning the war and showed great patriotism and loyalty.
By 1917 the opposite was true – defeatism and revolution were in the air. Why?
A. Defeat – the Russian offensives in 1914-1915 were crushed by the Germans and Austrians.
EX – Battle of Tannenberg – 30,000 were killed and 95,000 were captured along with Russian artillery.
Battle of Masurian Lakes in 1915 ended the Russian offensives – horrors of trench warfare begin.
The backwardness of Russia played a role. They
lacked sufficient amounts of resources like coal.
They lacked efficient railways to compensate for
the long supply lines. They had inferior weapons.
These things did not allow Russia to take
advantage of the fact they had the largest army.
B. Morale of the Troops
Trench warfare was difficult – lack of food and
horrible carnage (1.8 million killed by the end)
Many hated their officers who came from the
upper classes. Discipline was severe.
Encouraged by the Bolsheviks many desert and
return to the cities to join revolutionaries.
2) Conditions in Russia
The war effort required sacrifices on the home
front. There were bread and fuel shortages and
several strikes protesting low wages.
The Czar decided to take personal command of
the troops despite his lack of military training.
Defeats became linked with him.
Hatred towards the Czarina and her mystic
confidant Rasputin were on the rise. The corrupt
Rasputin became a political force with her support.
He was hated by almost everyone. The Czarina
was seen as a German sympathizer.
They were seen as symbolic of what was wrong
with the monarchy.
3) Revolutionary Parties
The war gave them an opportunity to gain more
support. The SRs encouraged the peasants to
rise up against the Czar and the Duma.
Lenin’s writings had influence. In his opinion the
war only served the interests of the capitalists, yet
it was the workers who suffered most.
He called for a civil war against the Czar from his
home in Austria.
4) Strike in Petrograd
Leads to the abdication of the Czar (see handout).
Filling the Power Vacuum......
Provisional Government
Became the “official” government.
Made up of liberals and moderate socialists. Had influence in rural Russia.
Issued the Eight Point Programme bringing many freedoms to Russia.
The Soviets
Claimed to represent the
will of the people,
especially the urban
working class.
Had great influence in
the cities, especially the
Petrograd Soviet.
• With the Czar out of the picture and the country in
chaos two conflicting organizations claimed power:
The Provisional Government The job of the PG was to keep the country running
and prepare for elections to a constituent assembly.
Members were largely moderate. Hoped to create
a republic. The most prominent leader was an SR
named Alexander Kerensky.
A major decision made by the PG was to continue
fighting in WW1.
This appeased the allies, however it angered the
Soviets.
The PG regrouped and launched the Brusilov
Offensive in July 1917 in a renewed attempt to
break through enemy lines.
Lenin Returns
With the grant of political amnesty, Bolshevik
leaders return from exile.
The Germans allow Lenin to return to Russia in a
sealed train car. They hope he will cause chaos.
Lenin makes a proclamation to the people of
Russia with hopes of gaining their support. It is
called the April Theses. It called for:
An immediate end to the war
Hand over all power to the Soviets (workers should
control the factories and the government)
Immediate confiscation of large estates without
compensation. Land to be shared by the peasants.
His slogan was PEACE, BREAD, LAND.
The cause of the Bolsheviks was made more
popular due to more problems in the war. The
Brusilov offensive had bogged down despite initial
successes.
The Petrograd Soviet announced Order #1.
Formation of soldier’s committees to replace officers.
Soldiers to control all weapon supplies.
Soldiers would now obey Soviets, not the PG.
Leads to a breakdown in discipline – violence
between officers and soldiers.
July Days
Three days of rioting in Petrograd threatened to
overthrow the PG.
Workers demonstrated against the lack of food and
change under the PG.
Soldiers defected. 20,000 sailors from Kronstadt
joined.
Kerensky is able to defeat the coup attempt because:
The rebels lacked a clear plan
He had enough loyal troops to defend the city.
Trotsky was arrested. Lenin went into exile in
Finland. They knew better planning was needed.
Despite this the PG was in crisis. The radical left (Bolsheviks) and the radical right (conservatives, military) were all dissatisfied.
The left wanted revolution. The right blamed the left for hurting the war effort, they wanted a government that would crack down on the Soviets. Kerensky would not.
SEE handouts:
- KORNILOV REBELLION Aug. 1917
- NOVEMBER 1917 REVOLUTION
- THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY and the TREATY OF BREST-LITOVSK
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