As History- Russia

7/30/2019 As History- Russia

1/56

AS History: TsaristRussia

1855 - 1917


2/56

Why was Russia Backwards?

PoliticalAutocracy

No opposition/ other

political parties

Nobles in control

Secret policeConscripted Army

EconomicHarsh winter

affected farming

Backwards farming

methods

Bankingundeveloped

No consumer

demand for products

Poor

communications

Social50 million serfs

82% of the population

800,000 industrial

workers

No demand todevelop

Social hierarchy

Mostly of Russian

Orthodox religion

3500 people in 6universities

Other FactorsClimate frozen lakes, hard to import and trade on

Size of Russia Extremely hard due to the poor communications


3/56

Alexander II 1855-1881

OVERVIEW

o Tsar liberator

o Failed to provide long term solutions

o Emancipation of the serfs 1861 - peasants were allowed to but land from

redemption payments to the state for 49yearso Established the zemstva; elected council, 40% voted by peasants

o Extended primary and secondary education

o Universities became autonomous and reduced class bias

o Increased criticism of Tsarism - peasants became indebted and led to rise

of populist revolutionary movements such as the People's Will

o Zemztva led to a desire for democracy

o Increased number of educated people

o Provided the potential for an organised party - not established till 20th

century

o Assassinated 1881 by People's Will


4/56

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

1877Political trials of the populists who had gone to the people

March 1881 Alexander II assassinated


5/56

Why did Alex Emancipate the Serfs?

Moral + IntellectualNihilists- ?

Intelligentsia- wanted change

Reform amongst intellectuals

began 1?55 which divided

opinion on Russia becoming

more western

They all suggested differentmethods

Crimean WarAgainst Turkey suffering a

humiliating defeat.

Russia realised they had to

develop and modernise

Had to get rid of conscriptionand serfdom

374,600 deaths in total

PoliticalSocial structure did nothing

for the nobility

Nobles income fell and were

still dependent on serfs

EconomicNobles forced to take out

mortgages on previously

owned estates

Population doubled in thefirst half of the century

Russia needed to catch up

and reassert its power

Would lead to more

productive peasantsPlans to build a great rail.

Alex's own

viewsWould bring

a more

dynamic

economy

Serfdom

morally wrong western

view

In order for

modernisation

to happen

serfs had tobe

emancipated

3rd March

1861

emancipation

signed andpublished


6/56

RUSSIA NEEDED TO MODERNISE TO REMAIN A GREAT POWER ANDBECOME MORE WESTERNISED THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN THROUGH

EMANCIPATION

SERFDOM HAD LEAD TO-

o Prevention of labour market

o No need to modernise methods

o Crimean war exposing Russia's backwardness

o Peasant 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


7/56

How were the Serfs Emancipated?

However?Peasants had to wait two years

State peasants 5 years

In return from the peasants?

Peasants to pay redemptionpayments for 49 years

These had a high - 6% interest

Payments often grater than land

value

Had to stay within commune until

all payments made.

Feb 1861Serfs Freed - 40 million

A starting block for the

peasants?Peasants granted land and

property

Rights to marry, travel and set up

businesses

Compensation?To land owners that lost out

Compensation often much higher

than the land that was taken was

actually worth

Gains Losses


8/56

What were the problems

with Emancipation?

Russia remained backwardsnew 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 economy

248 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


9/56

What was the impact of Alexander IIs other

reforms?

JudicialAction TakenLocal courts set

up

Made fairer

system

PositivesEquality

established more

chance of a fair

trial - juries

Less judges giving

into black mail

NegativesLittle chance of

justice

No questioning

Everyonepresumed guilty

MilitaryAction Taken

Lowered

conscription to

6years (was 25)

Improved

training

Humane

discipline

More efficient

Positives

Not forced to

join

Militaryadvanced

Negatives

Serfs unable to

get higher ranks

Higher classesdominated

EducationAction Taken

Fundededucational

institutions

PositivesSchools open to all

regardless of sex or

class.Aimed to help

catch up with

western

modernised

countries

CurriculumInspectors

More poor and

women in unis

NegativesRadical an militant

thinkers increased/

revolutionar ideas

Local Gov.Action TakenSystem of elected

local councils

Electoral collages

PositivesZhemstva (filled

voids from

emancipation), had

a range of powers

to make

improvements e.g.

To roads

NegativesVotes so nobility

kept dominant

Democracy not

achieved.Short on money


10/56

Economic development

Economic Development

Tsar tried to modernise Russia by:

o Emancipation

o

Railwayso Banks

He acheieved:

o 13,000 line of railway

o Building blocks on the way to modernisation

But failed at:

o Modernising Russia as it still lagged behind western Russia

o People not totally freed

o Time scale too slow


11/56

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


12/56

What was the extent of the reaction up to

1881?

SentencingHarsher sentences in jail or exile

Separate political trials

EducationIncreased censorship over universitys

Increased restrictions on entry requirements (prevent lower classes getting in)

PressUsed to attack critics of government

Violence and opposition still grew

Alexander assassinated by the peoples will.


13/56

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 quickly

Marxism

Populism made the government aware of the strong feelings loss of authority

and direction

Alexander IIs reforms raised expectationsDiscontent amongst higher classes Nobles, landlords

Better to reform from above, than have a reform from below

Failure to fulfil expectations of reformsRight win opposition

Why did opposition grow from the 1960s?

Students studied abroad and returned with new ideas

h f d l h


14/56

What type of radical opposition was there in

the 1860s and 1870s?

The peoples willFrom land and liberty

Used direct violenceterrorism

Against gov. in attempt to spark revolution

Tsar had to be removed

Did not use real names Okrana 37 members + Mikhailov - leader

Before the assassination the group had

made 8 attempts to kill him.

Attempts mostly failed for example

blowing up the wrong trainBig threat to Tsardom

Resulted in political trials 5 hanged, 2

executed, 1 life imprisonment, 1 reduced to

20 yrs

Two break off groups Younger peoples will +

the other; Terrorism Section (killed Alex III)

Black partitionTried to persuade peasants to

revolt

Propaganda without having to

use violence

PopulismStudents

Persuade peasants to revolt

going to the people- dressed

up

3000 went to the countryside

Win over with socialists ideasBut peasants were ignorant and

ignored them

Land and liberty emerged from

this more radical and better

organised -violence


15/56

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


16/56

Alexander III 1881-1894

OVERVIEW

oPeriod of successful repression

o Crushed revolutionaries in the short term

o Economic change from Witte and the great spurt

o Utilised emergency powerso Created the Okhrana

o Increased censorship

o Created land captains

o Increased government interference in laws

o Restricted the zemstva and education

o Period of Russification

o Supported industrialisation - 8% increase per anum

o Exploited agriculture as a form of income from exports

o Created stability for autocracy

o He predicted 1905 revolution from the growth of urban and rural unrest


17/56

Alexander III 1881-1894KEY 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


18/56

Vyshenegradsky and Witte

Vyshenegradsky

Finance minister 1887-1892

Trans Siberian rail and

tariffs

Stronger gov

interference

Increased tax (on

peasants) and pushed for

exportation of goods

Balanced budget deficit

1891-1892 famine

WitteFinance minister 1893Highly influential extensive industrialisation

Oversaw construction of railway

Economic growth

Foreign investments encouraged

Gold standardCommitted to industrialisation driving force

Economic development only way to raise living

standards

If everyone prospered then no call for revolution

Identified key problems insufficient capital,lack of expertise, no manpower

Wh did th t


19/56

Why did the government encourage

Economic Development

Emancipationfailed to stimulate

agricultural

development

Russia still backwards

Would create more

jobs for freed serfs

Economic strength =military strengthAble to produce more

weapons to protect

Russia

Industrial growthFor higher wages

Employment

Cheaper goods

Would guard against

social unrest

Couldn't compete

with other European

countries who had

experienced industrial

revolution

Had resources butcouldn't use them

efficiently because of a

lack of industry


20/56

What policies were introduced?Protective

Tariffs

Foreign

investment1880 98

million roubles

1900 911

million roubles

Peasant Poll

Tax abolished

Peasants land

bank

Make Russian

currency

Stable

Expansion of

the Railway

System1900 53,000

km

1840 27 km

of railway

Taxes raisedAdviceForeign experts

and workersencouraged to

advise on

planning and

techniques


21/56

What were the effects of the policies? -

Positives

ClassesUrbanisation

working classes

reached aprox. 11

million

Economy expansion1900 expanding at 8%

per annum

Russia 4th largest

economy

Exploitation of Russia's

raw materials

New industrial ideas

Growth in foreignTrade

However exports mainly

agricultural

Transport steamboats -

train

What ere the effects of the policies?


22/56

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


23/56

What were the effects of the policies on the

rural economy

Land bank

Peasants purchased 1/3 of landlordsestates

Increased debt and taxes

American farms 1.5 that of Russia and

Britain 4 times greater

Famine -1891 peasants2 million died of starvation, also

outbreaks of typhus and cholera

Gov criticised by liberals and radicalsVyshenegradshywe shall not eat but

we shall export

Grain exports increased

Low income

Taxes raised so peasants sold

more grain to survive

Backwards methods remainedLand hunger mir still active

Poor yields

OtherImprovements in healthcare

able to do scheme 97 million

Didn't deal with strain of growing

population

Unfit for military serviceIMR 57.4%

LE 27 men 30 women

England's 46

Peasants affected negatively


24/56

What type of opposition and ideas emerged

from the 1880s?

Socialist revolutionary party (was populist)

Terrorism and reform from below (peasants) little support - '

IntellectualsCriticises Tsarism

Middle class and workforcePotential opponents

Liberals (mainly middle class)Wanted modernisation more westernised

1904 union of liberation formed demanded democracy

Zemstva

Demanded more powers

MarxismIntellectuals support revolution

from the workers not peasants

Vision of economic and industrial

growth

Workers key to power

Russian Social democratic labour partyBelieved in Marxism split into:

Bolsheviks Small, sieze power ASAP

Mensheviks Spread propaganda not to lead to revolution


25/56

Why did radical opposition emerge?

Famine 1891-92

Social effects of industrialisationUrbanisation

More industrial workers

Growing middle classes

MarxismNew radical ideas

Reactionary policies of Alexander

III and chief minister ChiefMinister Pobedonostsev

Combating opposition Secret policeOkhrana

Intrusive

Find revolutionary activity

Communists, socialists, trade unions etc..

Torturing, executions and exile

What were the reactionary policies?


26/56

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-Semitism

5million Jews blamed for Russia's problemsUniversity fees raised

Tougher requirements and censorship

Lower classes got secondary education


27/56

What reforms were introduced, 1881

1904?

Peasant land bank

Allowed to buy landfrom land lords

Introduction of 11 hour days

Largely ignored

Employment ofchildren under 12

banned

Factory inspections

Female workers inmines were banned

Peasants poll tax

abolished


28/56

Nicholas II 1894-1917

OVERVIEW

o Did not want to be Tsar

o Unprepared

o Autocratic

o

Believed in the Divine Right from tutor Pobedonstevo Saw reform as a "senseless dream

o Continued repression - extended Russification.

o Could not maintain the regime

o Zemstva grew in power and strikes increased

o Peasant discontent grew from tax burden

o Land hunger resulted from an increase in population

o Loss of Russo-Japanese war

o Disorganised 1905 revolution which was ended by the weakness of

opposition and government concessions

Part I


29/56

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


30/56

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

Under estimation

Russians believedthey would win

War would deflect

attention from

domestic problems

Land Disputes

Japan believed Russiawanted to gain land in

the far east

They had disputes over

Korea and Manchuria

Japan attacks

Japanese attacked theRussian 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 05

Total destruction of

Russia's main fleet in

May 1905 added to the

revolutionary process

BeginningEarly patriotism and

support of the Tsar

War was a distraction

from domestic problems


31/56

What incidents followed Bloody Sunday?

As a result...General strikes swept across Russia, Jan-Feb 1905 400,000 strikers

Union of unions formed demanded reform

Sailors on the Potemkin Battleship mutinied Putilov Plant strikesAll Russian Peasants union demanded land reform

Railway Strike turned into general strike 2.7 million

Constitutional democratic Party formed Kadets

Soviet set up workers council

Workers in Moscow set up baracades fighting with police and soldiersPeasant u risin s s read 3000. land lords houses ro ert runined

How did the 1905 Revolution start? Bloody Sunday-

Jan 1905

Demonstration lead by Father Gapon

They demanded:

8hour working day

Elected assembly

Freedom of speech

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


32/56

Why did Revolution occur in 1905?

EconomicEconomic Slump job loss

Poor harvests starvation, disease, civil unrestPopulation expansion lead to pressure on

resources

Wittes reforms affected the least paid the most

had to work in bad conditions, low wages and

high tax

Peasants tax and redemption payments

PoliticalRevolutionary groups encouraged action against Tsarism changeonly through revolution (SRs)

Military defeat with Japan humiliation

Repression by gov secret police and censorship

Disillusionment of middle class who were denied political outlet

Nationalism non Russians angry at policies towards them

(Russification)

TRIGGERBloody

Sunday

9th/22nd

Jan 1905

SocialPoor living conditions

Poor working conditionsPeasants discontent

War left food shortage, high

prices and unemployment

Wh t f did Ni h l ll d


33/56

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 minister

Had warned on verge of

revolution

And the opposition?United at start of 1905 - Divided by end of 1905Liberals accepted

St Petersburg soviet called general strike not

supported by workers and middle class

General strike called off birth of new Russia

Trotsky and Lenin granted constitution yet autocracy

remains ranted ever thin et ranted nothin

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

The Fundamental

LawsLegislative power

with Duma and council

of empire

Tsar approves laws

without, a law cannotexist

Tsar can appoint and

dismiss the president

of the Duma

Tsar can abolish

Duma

October ManifestoIt Promised

Elected State Duma

Freedom of Assembly

Freedom of press

Freedom of speech

Wh t f i did Ni h l d


34/56

What means of repression did Nicholas and

Stolypin use?Petersburg soviet closed

down LawsFundamental

lawsTsar issued

Limited Duma

powerTsar ultimate

authority

Martial law

declared

Uprising and ViolenceMoscow uprising was

bloodily put downOver 1000 workers died

two weeks of street fighting

Death penalty

Use of death penalty5000 death sentences

between 1907-09

OppositionArrests of opponents

200,000 political

prisoners 1908

1912 Lena Goldfields

massacre200 strikers killed by

soldiers

Strike for working

conditions and living

conditions

Caused widespread

disgust but not

revolution


35/56

Nicholas II 1905-1917

OVERVIEW

o Reforming concessions under the influence of Witte

o End of peasant debt

o

October manifesto - creation of Duma (parliament) which pulled theLiberal movements suit

o Fundamental laws 1906 - limited legislative power of the Duma

o Stolypin's restrictions made the Duma supportive of the Tsar

o The first agrarian reforms created by Stolypin - the Stolypin system

Part II


36/56

May 1906 Meeting of the First Duma

1907 Cancellation of redemption payments

April 1912 Lena Goldfields massacre

August 1914 Russia enters FWW

1915-16ministerial leapfrogging changing ministers

18th Feb 3rd March February revolution

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

KEY DATES

H did h D ?


37/56

How did the Dumas operate?

1st Duma National hopesApril June 1906

30% workers/peasents

Majority of SRs, Bolsheviks Mensheviks,

Octoberists etc.

Wanted: everyone to have a vote, Land

reforms, Trade union rights, Release political

prisonersThese were all rejected by Tsar

Dissolved by Tsar too radical and demanding

2nd Duma National angerFeb June 1907

Governments attempts to interfere

with elections

Dissolved by Tsar after refusing to

expel social democratic deputies

Liberal members reduced and left

wingers increasedStolypin dissolved wanted to

change voting system exclude large

number voting

3rd Duma Lords and Lackeys

3rd Nov 1907 1912Agreed 2000-2500 gov proposals

Disputes

By the end not working no control

More representation of nobility

Opposition parties (Bols..) now

outnumbered by reactionaries and nationalists

4th

DumaNovember 1912- August 1917

Rift between left and right

Number of radicals increased

Duma ignored

Workers took initiativestrike

activity and direct action

Wh t i f i t d d b


38/56

What agrarian reforms were introduced by

Stolypin?

SuccessImmediate impact

15% of the peasantry took up new

opportunities

1914 25% left communes

10% consolidated their holdingsLand banks set up to help

peasants become owners

1907 redemption payments

abolished

Nobility support revolution lesslikely

LimitationsNot total success

After initial rush applications to leave

and consolidate declined

Stolypins peasants became more

prosperous (ones who took advantage)14% of communal land passed onto

private ownership

Strip farming carried on and wouldn't

give up security of the mir

Couldn't build large farmsPoor and landless peasants - alienated

Aims

Goal to transform traditional agricultureAbolish communal system

Aimed to create a new type of peasant class

Wager on the strong and sober - Stolypin

What was the condition of Russia in 1914?


39/56

PositivesSome increasingly prosperous peasants

Rapidly growing industry

Improving working and living conditions for

some high inflation, no real improvement

in their living standards 1905-14

Peasants 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 low

Repression did not get rid of

oppositionopposition went

underground

4/5 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, Tsarthreat (stability)

What was the condition of Russia in 1914?

How had Russia developed economically by


40/56

How had Russia developed economically by

1914?

UndevelopedIndustry only employed 5% of

population

Population explosion crisis in

agriculture and poor working/living

conditions

Regime still reliant on depression

No trade unions or legal protection

At mercy of employers

Wages rose but so did inflation -40%

Some areas better than others

Conditions grimLow levels of education

Lena goldfields

3 million workers invloved in strike

activity

4/5 Russian pop. Still peasants lack

of development

DevelopedExports growing

Economy growing 8.8% per year

more than western rivals

5th largest industrial power

Expanded enterprises

State money into heavy industry

4th largest coal producer

Neglect light industry grew with

consumer demand

State revenue doubled 4bil roubles

2393 banks by 1914Factories rise 2300

Extension of health services

1912- health insurance estab.

10years compulsory education -77%

growth in pupils1914 40% literacy rate increase


41/56

Why was Tsarism able to survive up to 1914?

Growing support for the

governmentGovernmental reforms

Education

taxation

Stolypin worked with 3rd and

4th

Dumas changed electoralsystem, co-operation with the

Tsars government - more willing

Liberals (octoberists/kadets)

to work with Tsars government

Advance in industrialisation

and economic growth

Increased workers standard of

living

Decline in support for revolutionary

groupsRepression of revolutionary groups

authorities successful, secret police

infiltration Lenin, SRs etc. Exiled

1444 people hung in 1907

Arrests and speady trials3000 suspects convicted and

executed

Groups dividedRSDLP into Bolsheviks

and Mensheviks

Loss of support dropped from 150,000in 1905 to 10,000 in 1914

4th Duma only 13 seats

Most wanted to get on with the difficult

task of living

SRs not clear how they would bring

change

Situation in March 1917


42/56

Situation in March 1917

Armed forcesPoorly equipped

Conscription - Refused ordersdont 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 work

People in army relieved pop. Pressures -produce less goods

Liberal oppositionUnsuccessful Duma overruled and abolished

Split, radical action and compromised

War

Early 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

Tsar Abdication


43/56

Effects of war at homeFood and fuel shortage - prohibition

Inflation -unemployment

Loss of supportMiddle classes wanted a greater say

Resentment towards Tsarina and Rasputin

Harsh winters of 1916

Revolution beginsInternational woman's day- Tsar order to use force

Putliov works strike in Petrograd 40,000

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

The effects of war

Deafeats 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 PetrogradTsar abdicates and exiled -Siberia


44/56

IN DEATAIL Masurian Lakes and Tannenberg

Masurian lake and Tannenberg battles:

oSuffered humiliating defeats

o1 million losses and casualties

oLarge majority of the killed were inexperienced soldiers

oDrop in moral

oLow intake

oDesertion and mutinies

oNot properly equipped clothing, two riffles between three

oCommunication problems

oNic II went to front line questioning of Tsars capability personallyresponsible

oMobilised 15million men between 1914 and 1917 Positive

oBegan to make 10,000 riffles a month - Positive


45/56

Provisional Government 1917+

OVERVIEW

oSometimes known as the "Kerensky Government" after its leader.

oIt lasted approximately eight months

oLed 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 decisions

oThis 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 1917

oBolsheviks routed the ministers of the Provisional Government in the

events known as the October Revolution

oThey then placed power in the hands of the soviets, or "workers

councils," which they largely controlled.


46/56

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


47/56

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

1917

3.9 million wounded

2.4 million taken

prisoner

Mass 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 shortages

Attitude turned to

pessimism and

defeatism

Stone some historians may have exaggerated Russia's

weakness in 1917


48/56

Fuel ShortagesThe lack of coal

increase

Hugely affect

transport

Moscow andPetrograd got

1/3rd of the fuel it

needed

Transport/FoodDisruption of rails caused

massive food shortages

By 1914 Russia had 44,000

miles of railway

Huge pressures to transport

troops and food to front line

Food left to rot as the side

of rail breakdowns

Petrograd and Moscow got

1/3rd of the food it needed

Hunger/famine reality of

war

Lack of resources for the

population

CostInflation

In three years meat

prices rose by 232%

1.5 billion roubles

spent on warHigh taxation and

borrowing from

abroad gave Russia

the funds it needed

Wages were paid but

money was worthless

What was the impact of the FWW - Economi


49/56

What was the impact of the FWW - Politically

Support for Radicals increase

Social revolutionaries,Mensheviks

Bolsheviks

Formation of progressive bloc

Kadets, octoberists, nationalists andprogressive industrialists

Liberal members of Dumas

Opposed Tsarism

Bloc to persuade Tsar to make

concessions focal point of politic

resistance

LossingovernmentsupportTsar devoted to autocracy

Tsars refusal to cooperate with non-

gov organisations Zemstva, union

of town councils

Military zones civilian authority

taken over in these areasZemstva and city authorities

became the Zemgor focus of liberal

opposition

Zemgor

Help for war wounded RussiansHighlighted gov. Failures

Alternative to Tsarism?

Tsarina reputation damaged by

Rasputins influence over her

Tsarina German spy?


50/56

The February Revolution - 1917

Demonstrations

intensifiedAttacked gov

buildingsDown

with the Tsar, Down

with the War

Tsar unable to return to

Petrograd

Workers had railways tornup

International

Women's Day +Striking workers240,000 involved

DemonstrationsContinued and Grew and spreadSoldiers joined in

Petrograd garrison refused to fire

at crowds as Nic ordered

Half actively supported

revolution

Tsar refusal to

form new

government atrequest of Duma

Generals convinced

Nic II to abdicate

Would help wareffort - Ruzsky

Provisional Gov formed

Included members of progressive bloc and Petrograd soviet

Who supported revolution?

oRevolution was spontaneous

oIt was not planned by political parties

oSukhanovNo 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


51/56

Who supported revolution?

oRevolution was spontaneous

oIt was not planned by political parties

oSukhanovNo one party was preparing for the great overturn

Why did the February Revolution occur?

oThe Long war was overwhelmingoGovernment could not cope with the war

What were the problems faced by the Provisional


52/56


Government, March-Oct 1917

Kornilov AffairGeneral Kornilov march into

Petrograd (wanted stricter discipline)

Pro Gov armed workersKerensky turned to Bolsheviks for

support to help defend

Exploited the weakness of the gov

Had to rely on opposition to stay in

power

Food and Fuel shortagesContinued

Especially in towns and cities

The War

Continued losses and desertionsJuly (1917) offensive failed

Loyalty to allies

Dual PowerBetween Pro gov and Petrograd soviet

Needed soviets support to pass

anything

Land RedistributionProvisional gov delayed this and refused

Peasants began to seize land

July 1917 1,100 illegal attacks by

peasants on landlords property

Deserters returned home to claim their

land

Continuingly growing oppositionBolsheviks grewpeace, bread, land

Kornilov Affair key to this

SRs Bolsheviks and MensheviksInspired by Marxism


53/56

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



54/56


Government, March-Oct 1917

....Kornilov Affair in Detail

July days series of demonstrations/strikes/protests

Exploited the provisional government as weak having a lack of control over the

Russian people

Kornilov believed in stricter discipline of the Russian people to repress them

Believed he could take over and do a better jobFor those who didn't comply harsher penalties or sent to front line

General Kornilov march into Petrograd

Pro Gov armed workers

Kerensky turned to Bolsheviks for support to help defend

Exploited the weakness of the govHad to rely on opposition to stay in power

Then what?

Bolsheviks seized opportunity to organise workers red guards

Kerensky supplied with arms

Kerensky ordered Kornilov to surrender (was planning military dictatorship?)

Sept 1st Kornilov and General arrested

Wh h B l h ik bl i ?


55/56

Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power?

Trotskys (Bol)

organisationhelped them

seize the

momentHe became

chairman of

soviet

Soldiers agreed

to give

Bolsheviks

weapons

Lenin was a good

leaderApril Thesis

End to war

All power to the

soviets

Peace bread landKornilov affair showed

that Bolsheviks could

lead

Bolsheviks opposed the

provisional governmentNot compromised

by their involvement

SRs and

Mensheviks were

The Pro

Govbecame

more

and

more

disliked

(previous

slide)

The

Bolshevikswere

increasingly

popularMajority party

in Petrograd

H did th B l h ik i ?


56/56

How did the Bolsheviks seize power?Social

revolutionariesand

Mensheviks

refused to

work with

BolsheviksSo Bolsheviks

formed a

government

alone.

Lenin

announcedreplacement

of the

Provisional

Government

24th Oct 1917

Bolshevikstook up key

points in

PetrogradBridges

Post officesRailways

Banks

Kerensky (pro

gov leader)appealed for

help but

none came

Revolution was a coup detat

- blow state

Documents

As History- Russia