Chapter 13 - The Collapse of the Autocratic Empires

• Why had the war been going badly for Russia?

  Fighting on the Eastern Front had highlighted the poor training of Russian troops, its inadequate supply lines and the lack of imagination in its generals. In 1915, the Tsar assumed command of the Russian army himself, which meant that military defeats, like the Lake Naroch Offensive, were often blamed on his poor leadership
• Why was the government in Petrograd being left to Tsarina Alexandra disastrous? 


  She was already deeply unpopular with Russian people as she was under the influence of Rasputin. By the winter 1916-17, conditions on home front were atrocious - bread rationing and lack of fuel -> closing factories. Russia was the most autocratic Great Power, and as life became intolerable for Russians, they focused their anger on Nicholas.
• When did strikes and rioting break out in Russia?


  8th March 1917
• What were the strikes and riots about?

  At first, they were demanding bread and then the abdication of the Tsar
• How did Tsar Nicholas deal with the strikes and riots?


  He was still at the front line, so he ordered the Cossack militia to put down the strike, but soldiers were unwilling to shoot citizens protesting their hunger. The mutinies spread, weakening Nicholas' position as he lost army support
• When did Tsar Nicholas II abdicate?


  15th March 1917
• What was the nature of the authority established by the Provisional Government in Russia?

  It was severely limited by compromises made to retain power.
• How did the Provisional Government establish its authority in Russia?

  It established authority with the support of the Petrograd Soviet.
• What influence did the Petrograd Soviet have during the Provisional Government's rule?

  The Petrograd Soviet had considerable influence over the Provisional Government.
• What did the people of Russia demand during the Provisional Government's rule?

  They demanded an end to the war due to wartime privations and loss of life.
• Why couldn't the Provisional Government resign from the war?

  Resigning would be seen as a betrayal to the allies and a strategic disaster.
• Who was the moderate socialist leader of the Provisional Government from July 1917?

  Kerensky
• What did Kerensky realize about the consequences of withdrawing from the war?

  He realized it would be seen as a betrayal to the allies and a strategic disaster.
• What was the impact of the government's decision to continue participating in the war?

  The government lost vital support as daily life remained miserable.
• What is meant by the term "Soviet"?


  Russian word for council, originally in 1917 meaning a political organisation for and led by the working classes of "proletariat"
• How did daily life under the Provisional Government compare to life under the Tsar?

  Daily life was almost indistinguishable from the misery felt under the Tsar.