Why was there a Why was there a revolution in revolution in

Russia in February Russia in February 1917?1917?

Russia in 1914Russia in 1914

Initial outpouring of patriotism with Russia’s Initial outpouring of patriotism with Russia’s entry into the war.entry into the war.

St. Petersburg changed its name to St. Petersburg changed its name to Petrograd.Petrograd.

Russian war machine seen as formidable- Russian war machine seen as formidable- ‘The Russian steamroller’- 15 million men had ‘The Russian steamroller’- 15 million men had been mobilised by the end of World War One.been mobilised by the end of World War One.

‘‘Courage and sheer numbers’ not enoughCourage and sheer numbers’ not enough Poorly equipped / outdated weapons and Poorly equipped / outdated weapons and

badly led.badly led.

Step 1 – the effects of Step 1 – the effects of warwar

Russian defeats at Russian defeats at Tannenberg & Tannenberg & Masurian LakesMasurian Lakes

1 million+ 1 million+ casualties or POWs casualties or POWs by end of 1914by end of 1914

Terrible conditions Terrible conditions on the Eastern on the Eastern FrontFront

Step 2 – effects of war at Step 2 – effects of war at homehome

Fall in revenue/ high Fall in revenue/ high expenditure on the warexpenditure on the war

Decline in foreign tradeDecline in foreign trade Food & fuel shortages- Food & fuel shortages-

disruption of suppliesdisruption of supplies InflationInflation UnemploymentUnemployment Soldiers returning from Soldiers returning from

frontline- desertionfrontline- desertion Ban on production and Ban on production and

sale of alcoholsale of alcoholBread queue, Moscow, 1917

Step 3 – Tsar Nicholas goes Step 3 – Tsar Nicholas goes to the front, September to the front, September

19151915 Tsar was seen as Tsar was seen as

personally responsiblepersonally responsible Tsarina (German) Tsarina (German)

running country with running country with Rasputin. Ministerial Rasputin. Ministerial leapfrog as they hire leapfrog as they hire and fire ministers.and fire ministers.

Tsarina become Tsarina become discredited by her discredited by her association with association with RasputinRasputin

Tsarina

Rasputin

Step 4 – loss of support Step 4 – loss of support for the Tsarfor the Tsar Middle classes wanted greater say in govtMiddle classes wanted greater say in govt

The ‘Progressive Bloc’ in the Duma suggest that the The ‘Progressive Bloc’ in the Duma suggest that the Tsar establish a government of Public confidenceTsar establish a government of Public confidence

Upper classes resented Tsarina & RasputinUpper 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 Step 5 – revolution beginsbegins

2222ndnd Feb 40,000 Feb 40,000 workers from workers from Putliov engineering Putliov engineering works in Petrograd works in Petrograd go on strikego on strike

2323rdrd Feb, Feb, International International Women’s DayWomen’s Day

Tsar orders use of Tsar orders use of forceforce

Step 6 – army takes sidesStep 6 – army takes sides

12 March, army refuses to obey orders12 March, army refuses to obey orders Some regiments shot officersSome regiments shot officers Joined demonstrators and marched on Joined demonstrators and marched on

DumaDuma

Step 7 – Tsar abdicatesStep 7 – Tsar abdicates

Railway workers Railway workers refused entrance refused entrance to Petrograd to to Petrograd to TsarTsar

Tsar abdicatesTsar abdicates

Your taskYour task

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