February Revolution

• What was Lenin's expectation regarding a revolution in his lifetime as of January 1917?


  He did not expect to see a revolution in his lifetime
• How did Lenin return to Russia after the abdication of the Tsar?

  With the help of the German Government
• 23rd of February International women’s day radical women protested
• 26th February Rodzianko warns the tsar about the conditions but is ignored and asked to close the Duma
• 28th February Tsar’s ministers are arrested and the duma, soviet claim power
• 1st March Tsar tries to return to Petrograd but is stopped by workers and the duma ask him to resign
• 2nd March Tsar abdicates
• What financial position did Russia achieve by 1914?

  Remarkable financial stability
• What happened to government spending in Russia from 1914 to 1917?

  It rose from four million to 30 million roubles
• What was the impact of abandoning the gold standard in Russia?

  It led to severe inflation
• How did inflation affect the value of money in Russia long-term?

  It made money practically worthless
• By how much did the price of food and fuel increase due to inflation?

  Quadrupled
• What military actions affected food production in Russia?

  Requisitioning of horses and fertilizers
• When did the decline in food production in Russia begin?

  In 1916
• Why did peasants stop selling food during the war?

  Inflation made trading unprofitable
• What was the impact of the army's priority on food supplies?

  It made civilian food supplies difficult to maintain
• Which city suffered particularly from food shortages?

  Petrograd
• What contributed to the severe food shortages in Petrograd?

  Its remoteness from food-producing regions
• What was the bread rationing situation in Petrograd by early 1917?

  Less than a quarter of 1914 amount
• What was the main cause of wartime shortages in Russia?

  Disruption of the transport system
• How much did the railway system grow from 1914?

  From 13,000 to 44,000 miles
• What happened to the Russian railway system by 1916?

  It virtually collapsed
• What was the effect of blocked railway lines during the war?

  Food rotted in railway trucks
• How many wagon-loads of grain did Moscow receive monthly before the war?

  300 wagon-loads
• How many wagon-loads of grain did Moscow receive by February 1917?

  Below 700 wagon-loads
• What was the state of the Russian army by 1916?

  It was still a mighty force
• What was the main weakness of the Russian army?

  Lack of equipment
• Who reported on the disorganization in the Russian army in 1916?

  Mikhail Rodzianko
• What did Rodzianko's report reveal about the army's condition?

  Widespread disorganization and shortages
• What was the implication of Rodzianko's account regarding leadership?

  Strong central leadership was lacking
• What decision did Tsar Nicholas II make in 1915?

  He took direct command of the armed services
• What was the consequence of Nicholas II taking command?

  He became personally responsible for war performance
• What was the public perception of Nicholas II's leadership?

  Criticism began to mount against him
• What could have made the suffering from shortages more bearable?

  Encouraging news from the war front
• What military success occurred in 1916 under General Brusilov?

  Defeated half a million Austrian troops
• How did the morale of the Russian army change from 1914 to 1916?

  From enthusiasm to pessimism and defeatism
• What was the condition of the Russian army in 1917?

  It was still intact as a fighting force
• What did Russia manage to produce more of than Germany in 1916?

  More shells
• What are the main factors contributing to the February/March Revolution?

  • Inflation leading to severe price increases
  • Food supply issues due to requisitioning
  • Disruption of the transport system
  • Army failings and lack of equipment
  • Tsar's direct command and leadership failures
  • Declining morale among troops