Lesson 3 - The February Revolution 1917
|
As in 1905, war was going to be central to the events of February 1917. But so were the long-term causes you identified as underlying problems in 1900. Workers, peasants and ethnic minorities suffered considerably during the war, but the Tsar's popularity with the middle classes who had been appeased after 1905 also suffered. Perhaps most surprisingly even the nobility were calling for the Tsar to abdicate by the end of 1916. Indeed it was a group of aristocrats who organised the assassination of the Tsar's key advisor Rasputin in December 1916. They hoped that serious revolution might be avoided if the Tsar could be persuaded to stand down. But nothing is more dangerous for a weak government than making an attempt to reform.
|
|
As we saw when looking at the French Revolution in Year 11, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that 'experience teaches that the most dangerous time for a bad government is usually when it begins to reform'. As in France in 1789, so in Russia in 1917.
War and Revolution
|
|
World War I was a key factor in the February 1917 Revolution because it pushed all sections of Russian society to breaking point. Soldiers suffered enormous losses, with over 1.7 million dead and millions more wounded. Many, poorly fed and demoralized, deserted or mutinied, including the Petrograd Garrison, whose defection was crucial to the revolution’s success. Workers and peasants bore the economic burden. Factory closures and food shortages in cities like Petrograd led to mass strikes, while peasants resented grain requisitioning and conscription, which took away their labor force. The middle classes, initially supportive of the war, turned against the regime as inflation destroyed savings and Tsarist mismanagement became clear. Even landowners, who had long supported the monarchy, saw their estates suffer due to peasant unrest and labor shortages. By early 1917, war had alienated nearly every group, ensuring that when revolution came, the Tsar had no defenders left.
|
|
|
|
Why didn't the Tsar survive as he had done in 1905?
The February 1917 Revolution succeeded while the 1905 Revolution failed due to three key factors: the role of the military, the Tsar’s response, and economic and social conditions. While both revolutions were triggered by widespread discontent, the greater impact of World War I exacerbated all these factors in 1917, making the overthrow of the Tsar inevitable.
1. The Role of the Military - The loyalty of the military was crucial in determining the outcome of both revolutions. In 1905, despite isolated instances of mutiny (such as the famous Battleship Potemkin mutiny in June 1905 and the naval uprisings in Kronstadt and Vladivostok), the army as a whole remained loyal to the Tsar. When revolutionary uprisings broke out in Moscow and St. Petersburg in late 1905, the Tsarist regime was able to rely on troops returning from the Russo-Japanese War to crush the revolt. By contrast, in 1917, the army's situation was dramatically different. After nearly three years of brutal warfare on the Eastern Front in World War I, Russian soldiers were exhausted, underfed, and demoralized. The war effort had resulted in over 1.7 million military deaths, with millions more wounded or captured. The army of 1917 was simply conscripted peasants in uniform. Discipline collapsed, and desertion became common. When the February 1917 protests in Petrograd escalated, key military units - most notably the Petrograd Garrison, which consisted of around 150,000 soldiers - refused to fire on demonstrators. (see film above) Many of these soldiers instead became revolutionaries, tipping the balance of power against the Tsar.
2. The Tsar’s Response - Nicholas II’s reaction to revolutionary unrest was another key difference between 1905 and 1917. In 1905, under pressure from widespread strikes and peasant uprisings, he issued the October Manifesto, which granted civil liberties and promised the creation of a legislative Duma (parliament). This concession divided the opposition. While some revolutionaries, particularly liberals, were appeased by these reforms and stopped opposing the Tsar, radical groups like the Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries remained opposed. With the liberals withdrawing from active rebellion, the Tsar was able to crush the remaining uprisings with force, particularly in Moscow in December 1905. However, in 1917, Nicholas II refused to compromise. Despite growing protests in Petrograd, the Tsar underestimated the scale of discontent and ordered troops to suppress the demonstrators rather than negotiate. As strikes and protests spread, even conservative elements within the government, including members of the Duma, urged the Tsar to make concessions or abdicate. The fact that his credibility had been undermined by the actiosn of the Tsarina and Rasputin did not help. Nicholas instead dissolved the Duma and remained detached from events, only belatedly realizing the severity of the crisis. Facing pressure from both generals and politicians, Nicholas was forced to abdicate on March 2, 1917.
3. Economic and Social Conditions - Economic hardship played a major role in both revolutions, but by 1917, conditions were far more severe than in 1905. In 1905, industrial unrest was driven by factors such as low wages, poor working conditions, and economic recession. The revolution began with Bloody Sunday (January 9, 1905), when peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace to present a petition for better wages and working conditions (see last lesson). The government’s response - firing on the demonstrators, killing hundreds - sparked outrage, leading to a general strike and uprisings across the empire. While the economic grievances were serious, they were not as catastrophic as in 1917. By the time of the February 1917 Revolution, economic conditions had deteriorated dramatically due to the strains of World War I. The total war effort caused massive inflation, making basic goods unaffordable for many Russians (see sources above). Bread shortages in Petrograd became so severe that by February 1917, workers and housewives took to the streets demanding food. The transport system, already underdeveloped, collapsed under the pressure of wartime mobilization, making it nearly impossible to distribute food and fuel effectively. Strikes and factory closures, particularly in major industrial centers like Petrograd and Moscow, intensified the crisis. Peasants, who made up the vast majority of the Russian population, suffered due to high taxes, grain requisitioning by the government, and conscription that took millions of men away from agriculture. The discontent of workers, soldiers, and peasants combined to create an overwhelming revolutionary force in 1917, whereas in 1905, opposition was strong but still fragmented.
Conclusion
While both revolutions arose from political, social, and economic grievances, the February 1917 Revolution succeeded because:
The February 1917 Revolution succeeded while the 1905 Revolution failed due to three key factors: the role of the military, the Tsar’s response, and economic and social conditions. While both revolutions were triggered by widespread discontent, the greater impact of World War I exacerbated all these factors in 1917, making the overthrow of the Tsar inevitable.
1. The Role of the Military - The loyalty of the military was crucial in determining the outcome of both revolutions. In 1905, despite isolated instances of mutiny (such as the famous Battleship Potemkin mutiny in June 1905 and the naval uprisings in Kronstadt and Vladivostok), the army as a whole remained loyal to the Tsar. When revolutionary uprisings broke out in Moscow and St. Petersburg in late 1905, the Tsarist regime was able to rely on troops returning from the Russo-Japanese War to crush the revolt. By contrast, in 1917, the army's situation was dramatically different. After nearly three years of brutal warfare on the Eastern Front in World War I, Russian soldiers were exhausted, underfed, and demoralized. The war effort had resulted in over 1.7 million military deaths, with millions more wounded or captured. The army of 1917 was simply conscripted peasants in uniform. Discipline collapsed, and desertion became common. When the February 1917 protests in Petrograd escalated, key military units - most notably the Petrograd Garrison, which consisted of around 150,000 soldiers - refused to fire on demonstrators. (see film above) Many of these soldiers instead became revolutionaries, tipping the balance of power against the Tsar.
2. The Tsar’s Response - Nicholas II’s reaction to revolutionary unrest was another key difference between 1905 and 1917. In 1905, under pressure from widespread strikes and peasant uprisings, he issued the October Manifesto, which granted civil liberties and promised the creation of a legislative Duma (parliament). This concession divided the opposition. While some revolutionaries, particularly liberals, were appeased by these reforms and stopped opposing the Tsar, radical groups like the Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries remained opposed. With the liberals withdrawing from active rebellion, the Tsar was able to crush the remaining uprisings with force, particularly in Moscow in December 1905. However, in 1917, Nicholas II refused to compromise. Despite growing protests in Petrograd, the Tsar underestimated the scale of discontent and ordered troops to suppress the demonstrators rather than negotiate. As strikes and protests spread, even conservative elements within the government, including members of the Duma, urged the Tsar to make concessions or abdicate. The fact that his credibility had been undermined by the actiosn of the Tsarina and Rasputin did not help. Nicholas instead dissolved the Duma and remained detached from events, only belatedly realizing the severity of the crisis. Facing pressure from both generals and politicians, Nicholas was forced to abdicate on March 2, 1917.
3. Economic and Social Conditions - Economic hardship played a major role in both revolutions, but by 1917, conditions were far more severe than in 1905. In 1905, industrial unrest was driven by factors such as low wages, poor working conditions, and economic recession. The revolution began with Bloody Sunday (January 9, 1905), when peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace to present a petition for better wages and working conditions (see last lesson). The government’s response - firing on the demonstrators, killing hundreds - sparked outrage, leading to a general strike and uprisings across the empire. While the economic grievances were serious, they were not as catastrophic as in 1917. By the time of the February 1917 Revolution, economic conditions had deteriorated dramatically due to the strains of World War I. The total war effort caused massive inflation, making basic goods unaffordable for many Russians (see sources above). Bread shortages in Petrograd became so severe that by February 1917, workers and housewives took to the streets demanding food. The transport system, already underdeveloped, collapsed under the pressure of wartime mobilization, making it nearly impossible to distribute food and fuel effectively. Strikes and factory closures, particularly in major industrial centers like Petrograd and Moscow, intensified the crisis. Peasants, who made up the vast majority of the Russian population, suffered due to high taxes, grain requisitioning by the government, and conscription that took millions of men away from agriculture. The discontent of workers, soldiers, and peasants combined to create an overwhelming revolutionary force in 1917, whereas in 1905, opposition was strong but still fragmented.
Conclusion
While both revolutions arose from political, social, and economic grievances, the February 1917 Revolution succeeded because:
- The military no longer supported the Tsar, as World War I had shattered morale, leading to mass desertions and mutinies.
- Nicholas II refused to make concessions, unlike in 1905, when he issued the October Manifesto to divide the opposition.
- Economic and social conditions were far worse, as World War I had led to food shortages, inflation, and mass strikes that paralyzed the country.
Activities
1. How did the First World War weaken the Tsar's government.
Use the sources and PowerPoint above, present an overview of how the war affected four different groups of people in Russian society. Use this sheet or as pdf (or your own version) to complete your work. It is important that you provide factual support - names, dates, numbers etc. - as supporting evidence for each of the four big points that you make.
2. Why was the February 1917 revolution successful?
Using the information above and on page 110 of your textbook explain why the Tsarist regime did not survive in 1917. Make a direct comparison to 1905 using the three points in the text above. You can use 300 words maximum.
1. How did the First World War weaken the Tsar's government.
Use the sources and PowerPoint above, present an overview of how the war affected four different groups of people in Russian society. Use this sheet or as pdf (or your own version) to complete your work. It is important that you provide factual support - names, dates, numbers etc. - as supporting evidence for each of the four big points that you make.
2. Why was the February 1917 revolution successful?
Using the information above and on page 110 of your textbook explain why the Tsarist regime did not survive in 1917. Make a direct comparison to 1905 using the three points in the text above. You can use 300 words maximum.
Extension activity
The video below is an optional activity that focuses on the role of the aristocracy and the death of Rasputin. Designed for schools, you might find the explanation of the events of 1917 somewhat simplistic.
The video below is an optional activity that focuses on the role of the aristocracy and the death of Rasputin. Designed for schools, you might find the explanation of the events of 1917 somewhat simplistic.
|
|