AS History: Tsarist Russia1855 - 1917

Why was Russia Backwards?Political

AutocracyNo opposition/ other political partiesNobles in controlSecret policeConscripted Army

EconomicHarsh winter – affected farmingBackwards farming methodsBanking undevelopedNo consumer demand for productsPoor communications

Social50 million serfs – 82% of the population800,000 industrial workersNo demand to developSocial hierarchyMostly of Russian Orthodox religion3500 people in 6 universities

Other FactorsClimate – frozen lakes, hard to import and trade onSize of Russia – Extremely hard due to the poor communications

Alexander II 1855-1881

OVERVIEWo Tsar liberatoro Failed to provide long term solutionso Emancipation of the serfs 1861 - peasants were allowed to but land from redemption payments to the state for 49years o Established the zemstva; elected council, 40% voted by peasantso Extended primary and secondary educationo Universities became autonomous and reduced class biaso Increased criticism of Tsarism - peasants became indebted and led to rise of populist revolutionary movements such as the People's Willo Zemztva led to a desire for democracyo Increased number of educated peopleo Provided the potential for an organised party - not established till 20th centuryo Assassinated 1881 by People's Will

Alexander II 1855-1881KEY DATES

1855 - Alexander II becomes Tsar

1861 – Emancipation of serfs

1863 – What is to be done? Published

1870-3 – Railway Mania years

1877 – Political trials of the populists who had “gone to the people”

March 1881 – Alexander II assassinated

Why did Alex Emancipate the Serfs?

Moral + IntellectualNihilists- ?Intelligentsia- wanted changeReform amongst intellectuals began 1?55 which divided opinion on Russia becoming more westernThey all suggested different

methods

Crimean WarAgainst Turkey – suffering a humiliating defeat.Russia realised they had to develop and modernise Had to get rid of conscription and serfdom374,600 deaths in total

PoliticalSocial structure did nothing for the nobilityNobles income fell and were still dependent on serfs

EconomicNobles forced to take out mortgages on previously owned estatesPopulation doubled in the first half of the centuryRussia needed to catch up and reassert its powerWould lead to more productive peasantsPlans to build a great rail.

Alex's own views

Would bring a more dynamic economySerfdom morally wrong – western viewIn order for modernisation to happen serfs had to be emancipated3rd March 1861 emancipation signed and published

RUSSIA NEEDED TO MODERNISE TO REMAIN A GREAT POWER AND BECOME MORE WESTERNISED – THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN THROUGH

EMANCIPATION

SERFDOM HAD LEAD TO-

oPrevention of labour marketoNo need to modernise methodsoCrimean war exposing Russia's backwardnessoPeasant revolts (there had been 1467 before 1800)o“Better to abolish from above, than have it forced upon us from below.” – Alex

FOR THIS TO CHANGE SERFDOM HAD TO BE ABOLISHED

RUSSIA NEEDED TO MODERNISE TO REMAIN A GREAT POWER AND BECOME MORE WESTERNISED – THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN THROUGH

EMANCIPATION

SERFDOM HAD LEAD TO-

oPrevention of labour marketoNo need to modernise methodsoCrimean war exposing Russia's backwardnessoPeasant revolts (there had been 1467 before 1800)o“Better to abolish from above, than have it forced upon us from below.” – Alex

FOR THIS TO CHANGE SERFDOM HAD TO BE ABOLISHED

How were the Serfs Emancipated?

However?•Peasants had to wait two years•State peasants 5 years

In return from the peasants?Peasants to pay redemption payments for 49 yearsThese had a high - 6% interestPayments often grater than land valueHad to stay within commune until all payments made.

Feb 1861Serfs Freed - 40 million

A starting block for the peasants?

Peasants granted land and propertyRights to marry, travel and set up businesses

Compensation?To land owners that lost outCompensation often much higher than the land that was taken was actually worth

Gains Losses

What were the problems with Emancipation?

Russia remained backwards – ‘new type of slavery’

Peasants paid more tax – so high that they had to sell all their grain, leaving nothing for them to survive on

Peasants had less land – often infertile and scattered

Little changed – peasants still tied to land and Mir and still used traditional farming methods

Landlords paid off debts – did not invest in the economy248 out of 543million roubles paid to land lords as compensation was used to pay off debts

Household serfs who had no agricultural skills had to find other employment which often wasn't very well paid or productive – only gained freedom and no land

What was the impact of Alexander II’s other reforms?

JudicialAction TakenLocal courts set upMade fairer systemPositivesEquality established – more chance of a fair trial - juriesLess judges giving into black mailNegativesLittle chance of justice No questioning Everyone presumed guilty

MilitaryAction TakenLowered conscription to 6years (was 25)Improved trainingHumane disciplineMore efficientPositivesNot forced to joinMilitary advancedNegativesSerfs unable to get higher ranksHigher classes dominated

EducationAction TakenFunded educational institutionsPositivesSchools open to all regardless of sex or class.Aimed to help catch up with western modernised countriesCurriculumInspectorsMore poor and women in unisNegativesRadical an militant thinkers increased/ revolutionary ideas

Local Gov.Action TakenSystem of elected local councilsElectoral collagesPositivesZhemstva (filled voids from emancipation), had a range of powers to make improvements e.g. To roadsNegativesVotes – so nobility kept dominantDemocracy not achieved.Short on money

Economic Development

Tsar tried to modernise Russia by:oEmancipationoRailwaysoBanks

He acheieved:o13,000 line of railwayoBuilding blocks on the way to modernisation

But failed at:oModernising Russia as it still lagged behind western RussiaoPeople not totally freedoTime scale – too slow

Economic Development

Tsar tried to modernise Russia by:oEmancipationoRailwaysoBanks

He acheieved:o13,000 line of railwayoBuilding blocks on the way to modernisation

But failed at:oModernising Russia as it still lagged behind western RussiaoPeople not totally freedoTime scale – too slow

Why did his reforms come to an end?

Polish Revolt – He saw it as ingratitude and pointlessness to further reform

Personal life – Affair and death of son – retreated from political life

April 1866 – Assassination attempt

Criticisms – Slavophiles “gone too far” – westernises “not far enough”

Increased radical demands and revolutionary activity

More Conservative ministers appointed

What was the extent of the reaction up to 1881?

SentencingHarsher sentences in jail or exileSeparate political trials

EducationIncreased censorship over universitysIncreased restrictions on entry requirements (prevent lower classes getting in)

PressUsed to attack critics of government

Violence and opposition still grewAlexander assassinated by the peoples will.

How significant was opposition to Tsarism up to 1881?

Intellectuals like Herzen and Chernyshevsky (what is to be done?) were influential

Less censorship meant new ideas new ideas (and criticisms) spread quicklyMarxismPopulism – made the government aware of the strong feelings – loss of authority and direction

Alexander II’s reforms raised expectationsDiscontent amongst higher classes – Nobles, landlordsBetter to reform from above, than have a reform from belowFailure to fulfil expectations of reformsRight win opposition

Why did opposition grow from the 1860s?

Students studied abroad and returned with new ideas

What type of radical opposition was there in the 1860s and 1870s?

The peoples willFrom land and libertyUsed direct violence –terrorismAgainst gov. in attempt to spark revolutionTsar had to be removedDid not use real names – Okrana 37 members + Mikhailov - leaderBefore the assassination the group had made 8 attempts to kill him.Attempts mostly failed – for example blowing up the wrong trainBig threat to TsardomResulted in political trials – 5 hanged, 2 executed, 1 life imprisonment, 1 reduced to 20 yrsTwo break off groups Younger peoples will + the other; Terrorism Section (killed Alex III)

Black partitionTried to persuade peasants to revoltPropaganda without having to use violence

PopulismStudentsPersuade peasants to revolt“going to the people”- dressed up3000 went to the countrysideWin over with socialists ideas But peasants were ignorant and ignored themLand and liberty emerged from this – more radical and better organised -violence

Why did terrorism fail to destroy Tsarism?

Conservatives continued to support the Tsar rather than radicals

The terrorists failed to gain enough support

Terrorists offered no alternative form of government

Alexander III 1881-1894

OVERVIEWo Period of successful repressiono Crushed revolutionaries in the short termo Economic change from Witte and the great spurto Utilised emergency powerso Created the Okhranao Increased censorshipo Created land captainso Increased government interference in lawso Restricted the zemstva and educationo Period of Russificationo Supported industrialisation - 8% increase per anumo Exploited agriculture as a form of income from exportso Created stability for autocracyo He predicted 1905 revolution from the growth of urban and rural unrest

Alexander III 1881-1894 KEY DATES

March 1881 – Alexander III becomes Tsar

1885 – Peasant land banks

1891-2 – Russia's worst famine of the 19th century

1892 – Witte takes over from Vyshnegradsky

1894 – Nicholas becomes Tsar

Vyshenegradsky and WitteVyshenegradsky

Finance minister 1887-1892Trans Siberian rail and tariffsStronger gov interferenceIncreased tax (on peasants) and pushed for exportation of goodsBalanced budget deficit1891-1892 famine

WitteFinance minister – 1893Highly influential – extensive industrialisationOversaw construction of railwayEconomic growthForeign investments encouragedGold standardCommitted to industrialisation – driving forceEconomic development only way to raise living standardsIf everyone prospered then no call for revolutionIdentified key problems – insufficient capital, lack of expertise, no manpower

Why did the government encourage Economic Development

Emancipationfailed to stimulate agricultural developmentRussia still backwardsWould create more jobs for freed serfs

Economic strength = military strength

Able to produce more weapons to protect Russia

Industrial growth For higher wagesEmploymentCheaper goodsWould guard against social unrestCouldn't compete with other European countries who had experienced industrial revolutionHad resources but couldn't use them efficiently because of a lack of industry

What policies were introduced?Protective

TariffsForeign

investment1880 – 98 million roubles1900 – 911 million roubles

Peasant Poll Tax abolished

Peasants land bank

Make Russian currency

Stable

Expansion of the Railway

System 1900 – 53,000 km1840 – 27 km of railway

Taxes raisedAdviceForeign experts and workers encouraged to advise on planning and techniques

What were the effects of the policies? - Positives

ClassesUrbanisation – working classes reached aprox. 11 million

Economy expansion1900 – expanding at 8% per annumRussia 4th largest economyExploitation of Russia's raw materialsNew industrial ideas

Growth in foreign Trade

However exports mainly agriculturalTransport – steamboats - train

What were the effects of the policies? - Negatives

Heavy spending on military1885 onwards – 50% of government spending on military

Low wages and unsecure employment1899 Russia affected by world depression

Poor living and working conditionsSlums, over crowding, pollution, poor health 1904 – 1/3 of houses in st Petersburg had houses with water

Workers vulnerable to revolutionary propaganda

ChurchInfluence of Orthodox church weakened – peasants moved to cities

Middle class and workers grewDenied political voice

What were the effects of the policies on the rural economy

Land bankPeasants purchased 1/3 of landlords estatesIncreased debt and taxesAmerican farms 1.5 that of Russia and Britain 4 times greater

Famine -1891 – peasants2 million died of starvation, also outbreaks of typhus and choleraGov criticised by liberals and radicalsVyshenegradshy – “we shall not eat but we shall export”

Grain exports increasedLow income

Taxes raised so peasants sold more grain to survive

Backwards methods remained Land hunger – mir still activePoor yields

Other Improvements in healthcare¾ able to do scheme – 97 millionDidn't deal with strain of growing populationUnfit for military serviceIMR – 57.4%LE – 27 men – 30 women

England's 46Peasants affected negatively

What type of opposition and ideas emerged from the 1880s?

Socialist revolutionary party (was populist)Terrorism and reform from below (peasants) – little supportWanted parliament - it didn't look after the peasants – wanted village comunes

IntellectualsCriticises Tsarism

Middle class and workforce Potential opponents

Liberals (mainly middle class)Wanted modernisation – more westernised 1904 union of liberation formed– demanded democracy

ZemstvaDemanded more powers

MarxismIntellectuals support – revolution from the workers not peasantsVision of economic and industrial growth Workers key to power

Russian Social democratic labour partyBelieved in Marxism – split into:

Bolsheviks – Small, sieze power ASAPMensheviks – Spread propaganda – not to lead to revolution

Why did radical opposition emerge?

Famine 1891-92

Social effects of industrialisationUrbanisationMore industrial workersGrowing middle classes

MarxismNew radical ideas

Reactionary policies of Alexander III and chief minister Chief Minister Pobedonostsev

Combating opposition – Secret police Okhrana IntrusiveFind revolutionary activity Communists, socialists, trade unions etc..Torturing, executions and exile

What were the reactionary policies?

Land captains appointed by Tsarist govControl courts, and local gov (Zemstva)

Gov direct control over police

Harsher Sentencing

Severe prison conditions

Special courts set up to try political offencesLberal judges removed

Peasant representation in Zemstva reduced

Russification – forced to learn language and cultureDiscrimination and Anti-Semitism5million Jews blamed for Russia's problems

University fees raised Tougher requirements and censorship

Lower classes got secondary education

What reforms were introduced, 1881 – 1904?

Peasant land bankAllowed to buy land from land lords

Introduction of 11 ½ hour days

Largely ignored

Employment of children under 12

banned

Factory inspections

Female workers in mines were banned

Peasants poll tax abolished

Nicholas II 1894-1917

OVERVIEWo Did not want to be Tsaro Unpreparedo Autocratico Believed in the Divine Right from tutor Pobedonstevo Saw reform as a "senseless dream“o Continued repression - extended Russification.o Could not maintain the regimeo Zemstva grew in power and strikes increasedo Peasant discontent grew from tax burdeno Land hunger resulted from an increase in populationo Loss of Russo-Japanese waro Disorganised 1905 revolution which was ended by the weakness of opposition and government concessions

Part I

Nicholas II 1894-1917 (Part I - 1894-1906)

KEY DATES

1894 – Nicholas II becomes Tsar

1902-5 – series of peasant uprisings

1903 – Worst wave of anti Semitic pogroms

1904-5 – Russo-Japanese war

Jan 1905 – Bloody Sunday

October 1905 – October manifesto

March 1906 – Fundamental laws

Why did war with Japan break out in 1904-5?Under estimation

Russians believed they would winWar would deflect attention from domestic problems

Land DisputesJapan believed Russia wanted to gain land in the far eastThey had disputes over Korea and Manchuria

Japan attacksJapanese attacked the Russian fleet of port Arthur

What were the consequences of the war?

Result to RussiaHumiliation Forced to negotiate a peace treaty (Treaty of Portsmouth) and lost influence in the far east

MilitaryArmy defeat in 1904 and 05Total destruction of Russia's main fleet in May 1905 added to the revolutionary process

BeginningEarly patriotism and support of the TsarWar was a distraction from domestic problems

What incidents followed Bloody Sunday?

As a result...General strikes swept across Russia, Jan-Feb 1905 – 400,000 strikersUnion of unions formed – demanded reformSailors on the Potemkin Battleship mutinied – Putilov Plant strikesAll Russian Peasants union – demanded land reformRailway Strike – turned into general strike – 2.7 millionConstitutional democratic Party formed – KadetsSoviet set up – workers councilWorkers in Moscow set up baracades – fighting with police and soldiersPeasant uprisings spread – 3000. – land lords houses property runined

How did the 1905 Revolution start? Bloody Sunday-Jan 1905Demonstration lead by Father GaponThey demanded:

8hour working dayElected assemblyFreedom of speech

150,000 protestors fired on by soldiers in front of Tsars winter palaceUp to 200 deaths 800 wounded

Why did Revolution occur in 1905?

EconomicEconomic Slump – job lossPoor harvests – starvation, disease, civil unrestPopulation expansion lead to pressure on resourcesWittes reforms affected the least paid the most – had to work in bad conditions, low wages and high taxPeasants – tax and redemption payments

PoliticalRevolutionary groups encouraged action against Tsarism – change only through revolution (SRs)Military defeat with Japan – humiliation Repression by gov – secret police and censorshipDisillusionment of middle class who were denied political outletNationalism – non Russians angry at policies towards them (Russification)

TRIGGERBloody Sunday9th/22nd Jan 1905

SocialPoor living conditionsPoor working conditionsPeasants discontentWar left food shortage, high prices and unemployment

What reforms did Nicholas allow and promise in response to the revolution?

PeasantsRedemption payments cancelled

GovernmentNicholas accepted cabinet government and appointed Witte as his first prime ministerHad warned on verge of revolution

And the opposition?United at start of 1905 - Divided by end of 1905Liberals acceptedSt Petersburg soviet called general strike – not supported by workers and middle classGeneral strike called off – birth of new RussiaTrotsky and Lenin – granted constitution yet autocracy remains – granted everything yet granted nothing

Russian people reactionCelebration – on streets of St Petersburg – sang, waved flags

The Fundamental Laws

Legislative power with Duma and council of empireTsar approves laws – without, a law cannot existTsar can appoint and dismiss the president of the DumaTsar can abolish Duma

October ManifestoIt Promised

Elected State DumaFreedom of AssemblyFreedom of pressFreedom of speech

What means of repression did Nicholas and Stolypin use?

Petersburg soviet closed down Laws

Fundamental laws

Tsar issuedLimited Duma powerTsar ultimate authority

Martial law declared

Uprising and ViolenceMoscow uprising was bloodily put downOver 1000 workers died – two weeks of street fighting

Death penaltyUse of death penalty5000 death sentences

between 1907-09

OppositionArrests of opponents200,000 political prisoners – 19081912 – Lena Goldfields massacre

200 strikers killed by soldiersStrike for working conditions and living conditionsCaused widespread disgust – but not revolution

Nicholas II 1905-1917

OVERVIEW

o Reforming concessions under the influence of Witteo End of peasant debto October manifesto - creation of Duma (parliament) which pulled the Liberal movements suito Fundamental laws 1906 - limited legislative power of the Dumao Stolypin's restrictions made the Duma supportive of the Tsaro The first agrarian reforms created by Stolypin - the Stolypin system

Part II

May 1906 – Meeting of the First Duma

1907 – Cancellation of redemption payments

April 1912 – Lena Goldfields massacre

August 1914 – Russia enters FWW

1915-16 – “ministerial leapfrogging” – changing ministers

18th Feb – 3rd March – February revolution

Nicholas II 1894-1917 (Part II – 1906 - 1917)

KEY DATES

How did the Dumas operate?1st Duma – National hopes

April – June 190630% workers/peasentsMajority of SRs, Bolsheviks Mensheviks, Octoberists etc.Wanted: everyone to have a vote, Land reforms, Trade union rights, Release political prisonersThese were all rejected by TsarDissolved by Tsar – too radical and demanding

2nd Duma – National angerFeb – June 1907Governments attempts to interfere with electionsDissolved by Tsar after refusing to expel social democratic deputiesLiberal members reduced and left wingers increasedStolypin dissolved – wanted to change voting system exclude large number voting

3rd Duma – Lords and Lackeys3rd Nov 1907 – 1912Agreed 2000-2500 gov proposalsDisputesBy the end not working – no controlMore representation of nobilityOpposition parties (Bols..) nowoutnumbered by reactionaries and nationalists

4th DumaNovember 1912- August 1917Rift between left and rightNumber of radicals increasedDuma ignoredWorkers took initiative –strike activity and direct action

What agrarian reforms were introduced by Stolypin?

SuccessImmediate impact15% of the peasantry took up new opportunities1914 – 25% left communes10% consolidated their holdingsLand banks set up to help peasants become owners1907 – redemption payments abolishedNobility support – revolution less likely

LimitationsNot total successAfter initial rush applications to leave and consolidate declinedStolypins peasants became more prosperous (ones who took advantage)14% of communal land passed onto private ownershipStrip farming carried on and wouldn't give up security of the mirCouldn't build large farmsPoor and landless peasants - alienated

AimsGoal to transform traditional agricultureAbolish communal systemAimed to create a new type of peasant class “Wager on the strong and sober” - Stolypin

PositivesSome increasingly prosperous peasantsRapidly growing industryImproving working and living conditions for some – high inflation, no real improvement in their living standards 1905-14Peasants became richer, gained freedom to buy land, travel and more independence (peasants)Health service, education, wages (workers)Professional job expansion, support conservative outlook (middle class)Stolypins necktie, 3,000 hung, military courts, repression – okrana, Duma (less political opposition)Banks, oil (second to Texas) 100% increase in production, coal increase – fourth largest (economic growth)Duma succeeds in land reform, autocrat evolution, loyalty (stability)

NegativesIndustry still small and inefficient Agricultural production remained lowRepression did not get rid of opposition –opposition went underground4/5 still peasants, 60% illiterate, Serbia land taken, increase gap between rich and poor – gained little from boom (peasants)No trade unions, grim conditions, low education, 1912-14 3mill involved in strike, inflation, Lena goldfields(wk)Minority, growth in rev. Ideas – Marxism, Bolsheviks etc. (M/class)inflation, unstable econ, communications not passed on(economic growth)Duma-lack of power + abollished, fundamental laws, unfair trials, Tsar threat (stability)

What was the condition of Russia in 1914?

How had Russia developed economically by 1914?

UndevelopedIndustry only employed 5% of populationPopulation explosion – crisis in agriculture and poor working/living conditionsRegime still reliant on depressionNo trade unions or legal protectionAt mercy of employersWages rose but so did inflation -40%Some areas better than othersConditions grimLow levels of educationLena goldfields3 million workers invloved in strike activity4/5 Russian pop. Still peasants – lack of development

DevelopedExports growingEconomy growing 8.8% per year – more than western rivals5th largest industrial powerExpanded enterprisesState money into heavy industry4th largest coal producerNeglect light industry – grew with consumer demandState revenue doubled – 4bil roubles2393 banks by 1914Factories rise – 2300Extension of health services1912- health insurance estab.10years compulsory education -77% growth in pupils1914 – 40% literacy rate increase

Why was Tsarism able to survive up to 1914?Growing support for the

governmentGovernmental reforms

Educationtaxation

Stolypin worked with 3rd and 4th Dumas – changed electoral system, co-operation with the Tsars government - more willing Liberals (octoberists/kadets) – to work with Tsars governmentAdvance in industrialisation and economic growthIncreased workers standard of living

Decline in support for revolutionary groups

Repression of revolutionary groups – authorities successful, secret police infiltration – Lenin, SRs etc. Exiled

1444 people hung in 1907Arrests and speady trials3000 suspects convicted and executed

Groups divided –RSDLP into Bolsheviks and MensheviksLoss of support – dropped from 150,000 in 1905 to 10,000 in 1914

4th Duma only 13 seatsMost wanted to get on with the difficult task of livingSR’s – not clear how they would bring change

Situation in March 1917

Armed forcesPoorly equippedConscription - Refused orders – don’t remain loyal

Royal FamilyUnpopular – blamed military failings on Nic -Dislike Tsarina- German spy?Final straw to let Rasputin and Tsarina take over – lost support and nobility support

Social and Economic discontentOnly 9% of Russia mobilised -Women and children took over workPeople in army relieved pop. Pressures -produce less goods

Liberal oppositionUnsuccessful Duma – overruled and abolishedSplit, radical action and compromised

WarEarly patriotism -food shortageHigh deaths -opposition (similar to 1905 revolution but larger scale)

Tsars actionsNot listen to reform, close duma, reassert authority by joining front line

Effects of war at homeFood and fuel shortage - prohibitionInflation -unemployment

Loss of supportMiddle classes wanted a greater sayResentment towards Tsarina and RasputinHarsh winters of 1916

Revolution beginsInternational woman's day- Tsar order to use forcePutliov works strike in Petrograd – 40,000

Tsar goes to front linePersonal responsibility – Tsarina and Rasputin left to run country

The effects of warDeafeats at Tannenberg + Masurian lakes1 million+ casualties or prisoners of war by 1914

Army takes sideFeb – army refuse to obey orders – some shot officers and joined demonstrations

Tsar AbdicationRailway workers refused Tsar entrance to Petrograd –Tsar abdicates and exiled -Siberia

IN DEATAIL – Masurian Lakes and Tannenberg

Masurian lake and Tannenberg battles:oSuffered humiliating defeatso1 million losses and casualtiesoLarge majority of the killed were inexperienced soldiersoDrop in moraloLow intakeoDesertion and mutiniesoNot properly equipped – clothing, two riffles between threeoCommunication problemsoNic II went to front line – questioning of Tsars capability – personally responsibleoMobilised 15million men between 1914 and 1917 – PositiveoBegan to make 10,000 riffles a month - Positive

Provisional Government 1917+

OVERVIEW

oSometimes known as the "Kerensky Government" after its leader. oIt lasted approximately eight monthsoLed by socialist Alexander Kerensky, a prominent member of the Duma and a leader of the movement to unseat the Tsar. oThe Provisional Government was unable to make decisive policy decisionsoThis weakness left the government open to strong challenges from both the right and the left. oThe period of competition for authority ended in late October 1917oBolsheviks routed the ministers of the Provisional Government in the events known as the October RevolutionoThey then placed power in the hands of the soviets, or "workers councils," which they largely controlled.

Provisional Government 1917+KEY DATES

27th Feb 1917 – First meeting of Petrograd soviet (workers, sailors etc.)

27th Feb 1917 – Provisional Government established

3rd April 1917 – Lenins return

3rd-6th July 1917 – the July Days

August 1917 – Kornilov revolt

24th Oct 1917 – Members of the red guard seize key points in Petrograd

What was the impact of the FWW - Military

Faith in the TsarLost as commander in chief Made the decision to join and command the Russian armed forces

Losses1.6 million deaths by 19173.9 million wounded2.4 million taken prisonerMass mutinies

DefeatsOnly 8.8% mobilised

Compared to Germanys 20.5%

Lacked equipment and admin

Within first two years met demands - but after huge shortages

Lacked equipment and adminFood shortagesAttitude turned to pessimism and defeatism

Stone – some historians may have exaggerated Russia's weakness in 1917

Fuel ShortagesThe lack of coal increaseHugely affect transportMoscow and Petrograd got 1/3rd of the fuel it needed

Transport/FoodDisruption of rails caused massive food shortagesBy 1914 Russia had 44,000 miles of railwayHuge pressures to transport troops and food to front lineFood left to rot as the side of rail – breakdownsPetrograd and Moscow got 1/3rd of the food it neededHunger/famine reality of warLack of resources for the population

CostInflationIn three years meat prices rose by 232%1.5 billion roubles spent on warHigh taxation and borrowing from abroad gave Russia the funds it neededWages were paid but money was worthless

What was the impact of the FWW - Economic

What was the impact of the FWW - Politically

Support for Radicals increaseSocial revolutionaries, Mensheviks Bolsheviks

Formation of progressive blocKadets, octoberists, nationalists and progressive industrialistsLiberal members of DumasOpposed Tsarism

Bloc to persuade Tsar to make concessions – focal point of politic resistance

Loss in government supportTsar devoted to autocracyTsars refusal to cooperate with non-gov organisations – Zemstva, union of town councilsMilitary zones – civilian authority taken over in these areasZemstva and city authorities became the Zemgor – focus of liberal oppositionZemgor

Help for war wounded RussiansHighlighted gov. FailuresAlternative to Tsarism?

Tsarina reputation damaged by Rasputin’s influence over herTsarina German – spy?

The February Revolution - 1917Demonstrations

intensified Attacked gov buildings – Down with the Tsar, Down with the War

Tsar unable to return to Petrograd

Workers had railways torn up

International Women's Day + Striking workers240,000 involved

DemonstrationsContinued and Grew and spreadSoldiers joined inPetrograd garrison refused to fire at crowds – as Nic ordered

Half actively supported revolution

Tsar refusal to form new

government at request of Duma

Generals convinced Nic II to abdicate

“Would help war effort” - Ruzsky

Provisional Gov formed Included members of progressive bloc and Petrograd soviet

Who supported revolution?

oRevolution was spontaneousoIt was not planned by political partiesoSukhanov – “No one party was preparing for the great overturn”

Why did the February Revolution occur?

oThe Long war was overwhelming oGovernment could not cope with the war

Who supported revolution?

oRevolution was spontaneousoIt was not planned by political partiesoSukhanov – “No one party was preparing for the great overturn”

Why did the February Revolution occur?

oThe Long war was overwhelming oGovernment could not cope with the war

What were the problems faced by the Provisional Government, March-Oct 1917

Kornilov AffairGeneral Kornilov – march into Petrograd (wanted stricter discipline)Pro Gov armed workersKerensky turned to Bolsheviks for support to help defendExploited the weakness of the govHad to rely on opposition to stay in power

Food and Fuel shortagesContinuedEspecially in towns and cities

The WarContinued losses and desertions July (1917) offensive failedLoyalty to allies

Dual PowerBetween Pro gov and Petrograd sovietNeeded soviets support to pass anything

Land RedistributionProvisional gov delayed this and refusedPeasants began to seize landJuly 1917 – 1,100 illegal attacks by peasants on landlords propertyDeserters returned home to claim their land

Continuingly growing oppositionBolsheviks grew – “peace, bread, land”Kornilov Affair key to thisSR’s Bolsheviks and Mensheviks Inspired by Marxism

Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government

oProvisional government = formed from Kadet and Octoberist members of the Duma

oSoviets = Workers, soldiers – 3000 members – not dominated by one racial party

oMay 1917 – Soviets joined the Provisional Government

Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government

oProvisional government = formed from Kadet and Octoberist members of the Duma

oSoviets = Workers, soldiers – 3000 members – not dominated by one racial party

oMay 1917 – Soviets joined the Provisional Government

What were the problems faced by the Provisional Government, March-Oct 1917

....Kornilov Affair in DetailJuly days – series of demonstrations/strikes/protestsExploited the provisional government as weak – having a lack of control over the Russian peopleKornilov believed in stricter discipline of the Russian people to repress themBelieved he could take over and do a better jobFor those who didn't comply harsher penalties or sent to front lineGeneral Kornilov – march into PetrogradPro Gov armed workersKerensky turned to Bolsheviks for support to help defendExploited the weakness of the govHad to rely on opposition to stay in power Then what?Bolsheviks seized opportunity to organise workers red guardsKerensky supplied with armsKerensky ordered Kornilov to surrender (was planning military dictatorship?)Sept 1st – Kornilov and General arrested

Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power?

Trotsky’s (Bol)

organisation helped them

‘seize the moment’

He became chairman of sovietSoldiers agreed to give Bolsheviks weapons

Lenin was a good leader

April Thesis –End to warAll power to the sovietsPeace bread land

Kornilov affair showed that Bolsheviks could leadBolsheviks opposed the provisional government

Not compromised by their involvementSR’s and Mensheviks were

The Pro Gov

became more and

more disliked

(previous slide)

The Bolsheviks

were increasingly

popularMajority party in Petrograd

How did the Bolsheviks seize power?Social

revolutionaries and

Mensheviks refused to work with Bolsheviks

So Bolsheviks formed a government alone.

Lenin announced

replacement of the

Provisional Government

24th Oct 1917 – Bolsheviks

took up key points in

Petrograd BridgesPost officesRailwaysBanks

Kerensky (pro gov leader)

appealed for help – but none came

Revolution was a coup d’etat- blow state