The February Revolution, 1917

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The February Revolution, 1917

Causes

  • Food shortages in Petrograd - the winter leading up to the February Revolution had been particularly harsh and there was a shortage of food and fuel
  • The Tsar being away from Petrograd - the Tsar had taken over military control of the army during WW1, which caused discontent as he had little to no military experience and he left the Tsarina in charge
  • Contempt for the Tsarina - when Nicholas left to control the army, he left the Tsarina in charge of the country. The Russian population already disliked her as she was German, but she was also heavily influenced by Rasputin until his murder in 1916, who the Russian population also hated, partially due to the rumours that he was having an affair with the Tsarina
  • Announcement of bread rationing - the government announced that bread would have to be rationed in Petrograd, beginning on the 1st pf March. After a particularly bad winter, this announcement made people desperate and between 23rd-25th February, a quarter of a million people marched through the streets of Petrograd to protest
  • Unusually mild winter weather - this allowed people to be outside and protesting throughout February
  • International Women's Day march - on 23rd February, thousands of women marched in protest against bread shortages and joined the protests lead by striking workers
  • Massacre of protesters - on 25th February, Nicholas gave the order to the army to open fire on the protestors. Over 50 people were killed and the event was referred to as a "second Bloody Sunday"
  • Army mutiny - on 26th February, soldiers of the Pavlovsky Regiment mutinied against Nicholas. Over the next two days, soldiers joined with workers to steal over 40,000 rifles and 30,000 revolvers from Petrograd's main weapons store. They also broke into prisons and released political prisoners

Effects

  • The abdication of the Tsar - on hearing about the army's mutiny, Nicholas decided to travel to Petrograd himself but only reached Pskov by 1st March and his plan to take back control of Petrograd failed. On 2nd March, advised by senior army officers and members of the duma, Nicholas abdicated his throne
  • The end of the autocracy - the throne could not be passed to Nicholas' son due to his haemophilia, so it was given to his brother (Grand Duke Michael). The Provisional Government warned him that if he accepted the throne, the revolution may turn into a civil war. Michael turned down the offer to the throne and Russia became a republic in spring 1917

Overall summary

There were many triggers, both short-term and long-term, that led to the events of the 1917 Revolution and the end of the autocracy in Russia. If Nicholas had dealt with some of the issues sooner, it is possible that he could have kept his throne but due to his lack of action, the revolution took place and the unhappy people of Russia achieved their main overall aim - the end of Tsarist rule

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