Why was there a revolution in Russia in February 1917?

Russia in 1914 Initial outpouring of patriotism with Russia’s entry into the war. Initial outpouring of patriotism with Russia’s entry into the war. St. Petersburg changed its name to Petrograd. St. Petersburg changed its name to Petrograd. Russian war machine seen as formidable- ‘The Russian steamroller’- 15 million men had been mobilised by the end of World War One. Russian war machine seen as formidable- ‘The Russian steamroller’- 15 million men had been mobilised by the end of World War One. ‘Courage and sheer numbers’ not enough ‘Courage and sheer numbers’ not enough Poorly equipped / outdated weapons and badly led. Poorly equipped / outdated weapons and badly led.

Step 1 – the effects of war Russian defeats at Tannenberg & Masurian Lakes Russian defeats at Tannenberg & Masurian Lakes 1 million+ casualties or POWs by end of million+ casualties or POWs by end of 1914 Terrible conditions on the Eastern Front Terrible conditions on the Eastern Front

Step 2 – effects of war at home Fall in revenue/ high expenditure on the war Decline in foreign trade Food & fuel shortages- disruption of supplies Inflation Unemployment Soldiers returning from frontline- desertion Ban on production and sale of alcohol Bread queue, Moscow, 1917

Step 3 – Tsar Nicholas goes to the front, September 1915 Tsar was seen as personally responsible Tsar was seen as personally responsible Tsarina (German) running country with Rasputin. Ministerial leapfrog as they hire and fire ministers. Tsarina (German) running country with Rasputin. Ministerial leapfrog as they hire and fire ministers. Tsarina become discredited by her association with Rasputin Tsarina become discredited by her association with Rasputin Tsarina Rasputin

Step 4 – loss of support for the Tsar Middle classes wanted greater say in govt Middle classes wanted greater say in govt The ‘Progressive Bloc’ in the Duma suggest that the Tsar establish a government of Public confidence The ‘Progressive Bloc’ in the Duma suggest that the Tsar establish a government of Public confidence Upper classes resented Tsarina & Rasputin Upper classes resented Tsarina & Rasputin Harsh winter of 1916 makes conditions even worse Harsh winter of 1916 makes conditions even worse Middle-class Muscovites

Step 5 – revolution begins 22 nd Feb 40,000 workers from Putliov engineering works in Petrograd go on strike 23 rd Feb, International Women’s Day Tsar orders use of force

Step 6 – army takes sides 12 March, army refuses to obey orders Some regiments shot officers Joined demonstrators and marched on Duma

Step 7 – Tsar abdicates Railway workers refused entrance to Petrograd to Tsar Railway workers refused entrance to Petrograd to Tsar Tsar abdicates Tsar abdicates

 Your task Look at the following causes of the February 1917 Revolution. Rank them in order of importance and then try to group them in terms of long- and short-term causes and trigger events. Look at the following causes of the February 1917 Revolution. Rank them in order of importance and then try to group them in terms of long- and short-term causes and trigger events.